Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 6, 8 January 1915, Page 5

Great Britain

IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. [United Press Association.] London, January 7. Lord Kitchener, speaking in the House of Lords, stated that Germany's

great advantages of numerical superiority and extensive war preparations were certainly diminishing.

j Lord Curzon urged that every available man should he sent to the front [with the least delay. He believed that considerably more than two millions were needed, possibly nearer three millions. He expressed his utmost satisfaction with recent events in Egypt. I Lord Crewe said that although our contribution to the fighting line was proportionately less than that of other (countries, our overwhelming navy and I general services rendered to all the I Allies must not be overlooked. Lord Kitchener was not discontented with the recruiting, for as many were coming forward as could be dealt with. THE PROGRESS OF THE ALLIES. TIMIS AND SyDNB* SuN SIBVIOH. London, January 7. The Times, in a leader, discussing the progress of the Allies, says: -"If the daily official reports are carefully analysed over a series of day>, it will be found that the war* ; in the west is not quite the stationary affair it appears. A little here, a little there, advances have been made by the British, w.ho are bravely holding their own in the mud in Flamlftrs and the French coal districts. We may cieiive encouragement from small but genuine successes. New.'- from the eastern theatre is distinctly cheerful. Warsaw is safe, and likely to remain so." ,

BELGIUM'S FOOD SUPPLY.

London, January 7

The Belgian Relief Commission state ; that the present food supply is • uffi cient to last until February 15th. Fifty thousand volunteers are distributing relief to 1,400,000 destitute people, costing half a million sterling a month. The Commission is supplying 10,000 peasants in the Meuse valley, who were isolated and foodless. Many died of starvation.

COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE ADVOCATED. (Reoeived 8.20 a.m.) London, January 7. Unionist papers are advocating compulsory military service in Britain. EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS. London, January 7. The King, replying to the Pope's suggestion for the exchange of incapacitated prisoners, expresses satisfaction with the Pope's action, which added weight to the British Government's suggestions to Germany, to which the latter had now consented.

WORLD CHURCH COUNCIL. PROPOSAL FOR THE POPE TO CALL CONFERENCE. (Received 8.20 a.m.) London, January 7. The Rev. R. J. Campbell suggests that with a view lo ending the war a general council of the world's churches be summouned. He adds: "The Pope is the one person with a chance of success in calling such a conference."

The. Rev. R. J. Campbell succeeded to the pastorate of the City Temple in 1903, upon the death of Dr. Parker. His two books on the New Theology, published iu 1907, aroused a controversy which has abated. EXEMPTION OF CHRISTIANS. (Received 9.10 a.m.) " London, January 7. An Orclor-in-Counoil empowers the exemption of Christian Armenians, Syrians, and Greeks from the alien restrictions imposed on Turkish subjects. PRESS COMMENT. (Received 8.20 a.m.) London, January 7. The Daily Telegraph says that without numbers which alone can annihilate the enemy, the prospect in Flanders and France is one of mutual exhaustion and consequent condition of .stalemate.

The Morning Post thinks that after five months' war Britain ought to be holding more than thirty miles of battle line, seeing that Russia alone is holding 600 or 700 miles. The Daily Chronicle believes that 30,000 men weekly are still being enlisted. Compulsion would undoubtedly irritate many otherwise patriotic men into saying: "Wait until we are compelled." Another matter about which the public hopes to hear is some reassurances concerning the coast defences. Many people left the coast towns because of the uncertainty.

FOOTBALLERS RALLY TO THE COLORS. (Received 8.20 a.m.) London, January 7. The New York Herald's London correspondent states that professional footballers at last have made a strong rally to the colours, Lord Kitchener having granted permission to those under contract to get time off from military service to meet their engagements to the end of the present season. Army pay is being given, irrespective of the club salaries being drawn.

N.Z. CONTINGENT FUND. In—l and Sydney Sun Bbbfiom. London, January 7. The New Zealand War Contingent Fund has reached £7OU ( >. The la I est cortributions are:—Auckland £SOO, and Otago £SOO, Lady Plunkct says the splendid response of the New Zealanders further demonstrates the Dominion's warmest feelings of loyalty.

THE EXPORT OF TEA.

(Received 8.50 a.m.) London, January 7

The Standard states that the Government's proposed removal of the prohibition on the export of tea amazes Mincing Lane. Critics state that Germany's normal consumption is nine million lbs; that she obtained sixteen million lbs in August and September through Holland, chiefly for the army; that the British price has already been increased by the war tax; and that it will be further increased if export is permitted. It is stated the Board of Trade hopes to remove the embargo on exports, relying solely on their careful inquiries as to destination. BRITISH IMPORTS AND EXPORTS (Received 9.10 a.m.) London, January 7. The imports for the last quarter decreased by £3,559,914, and the exports £17,047,992, and the receipts by £3,857,977.

THE BOY SCOUTS. RESPONSIBILITY TO THE NATION Times and Sydney Sun Services. (Received 8 a.m.) London, January 7. At the conference of the Teachers'! Guild of Great Britain and Ireland, Professor Finlay, of Manchester, declared that General Sin R. S. S. Powell (originator of the Boy Scout movement) was the greatest educator of the day. He believed that after the war we would see a wholesome compulsory system, such as youth itself welcomed, together with a larger acceptance of the responsibility to the nation. * "PAVING THE TO FINAL VICTORIES."

(Received 8 a.m.)

General Joffre, in congratulating the Grand Duke Nicholas on his great victory in the Caucasus, said that by constant and uninterrupted efforts in all the theatres, the Allied armies were paving the way to final victories.

GENERAL.

London, January 6

Mr Alfred Lohmann, adressing the Bremen Chamber of Commerce, accused the British of every sort of crime, including the sinking of German vessels in neutral waters, transporting German . women and children from West Africa in freight ships, under niggers, and bombing unprotected towns. He said the British used dum-dums, and stole the German intellect by suspension of the patent laws.

The Beard of Trade is enquiring into the state of the freight market, the amount of available wfieat, the war risk expenses, and other matters causing the rise in bread. British ship-owners will! probably be permitted to charter, during the currency of the war, enemy steamers lying in British ports. TIMM AND BTDNKT BUN SIEVIOII. London, January 7. Copenhagen reports that the VorAvaerts created a sensation by publishing a statement that the English Socialists are organising to agitate for peace. Woollen factories are still glutted with work, though oversea trade is practically erippted. Taken on the whole, bhere is no disposition towards pessimism. At the conference of the Teachers' Guild »f Great Britain and Ireland, Mr F. H. Templer, a New Zealander, advocated national service, and maintained that it would destroy militarism.