Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 9, 12 January 1915, Page 5

Great Britain

AN AERIAL SCARE. ZEPPELIN AND AEROPLANES FLYING TOWARDS ENGLAND. WEATHER COMPELS THEIR RETURN. [United Press Association.] (Received 9.10 a.m.) London, January 11. A Zeppelin and three aeroplanes flew over Calais on Saturday night in the direction of Dover. aeroplanes were over the Channel on Sunday travelling towards England, hut the weather compelled them to return. THREATENED AEROPLANE ATTACK. (Received 8.45 a.in.) London, January 11. The special constables in several of the London suburbs were called out when news of the German aeroplanes being over the channel were received. BANDSMAN CAINS VICTORIA CROSS. ATHLETE RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL. Times and Sydney Sun Services. (Received 12.10 p.m.) London, January 11.

Bandsman Rendle, of the Duke of Cornwall’s infantry, has been awarded the Victoria Cross for tending to the wounded during heavy shell and rifle fire at Wulverghem on 20th November, and rescuing the wounded buried in the blown-up trenches. Private Ranger, a well-known Kent athlete, received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for assistance in the rescue of Prince Maurice of Battenburg after the Prince had been mortally wounded. THE HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATE. London, January 11. In the Army debate in the House of Loi'ds, Lord Selborne said Germany had showed that she possessed wonderful w*ar machines for turning into soldiers the whole of her physically capable people. The German soldier had proved splendidly brave. Failing to admit that ivas to rob our own soldiers of the credit of fighting them splendidly. The war must be measured by years, not by months. Many had not yet enlisted who might have done. The man who was prepared to enjoy life under the British flag without a grim determination to hand on that flag as free as he found it was unworthy of the name of Britisher.

Lord Haldane emphasised that Britain’s task was a colossal one needing every energy of the nation. The constitution permitted conscription, but a magnificent response was being made by voluntary enlistment. It might be necessary to resort to conscription in the event of a great national British experts were endeavoring to produce big guns equivalent to the Germans’. Our artillery service was in thorough order, 15,000 guns having been added before the war. Lord MacDounell stated that 16,000 Ulstermen and 38,000 Nationalists had been recruited. If an equal response had been made in other parts, Britain would have over two million men.

Lord Crewe said the Government had considered conscription, but did not regal'd compulsion within the landscape as we now see it. Lord Moncrieff complained that Scottish regiments were no longer provided with tartan kilts. Lord Lucas explained that the War Office was temporarily unable to get sufficient tartan. What constituted a kilt was a highly technial matter on which the different clans could never be brought to agree.

THE BISLEY MEETING. London, January It. In consequence of the war, the Hislcy meeting is likely to bo abandoned. THE PRICE OF BREAD. WHAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN. (Received 8.55 a.m.) London, January 11. The price of bread has risen from

old to 7il per loaf. . The rise is chieily attributable to the increased freights as the result of the Government commandeering so many vessels, ami the impotency of German ships

aggregating six million tons. An inquiry discredited the opinion that the rise was dim to speculation and the hoarding of foodstuffs. American freights have risen by £2, and River Plate freights by £1 to £3 since the war.

I A suggestion is being discussed that the Government should commandeer the merchant shipping as is done in 'respect to the railways. I The Times says there is plenty of food, but the prices depend on the fact that there are less supplying countries than formerly. It points out that but for Britain’s command 'of the sea the loaf might have been 22-Jd as in 1801.

ADVANCE IN FOOD PRICES. Times and Sydney Sun Services. (Received 8 a.m.) London, January 11. Since the war, there has been an all-round advance in food prices, averaging twenty per cent, while the price of fish has almost doubled. ADDITIONS TO LONDON ZOO. Tima and Sydney Sun Services. (Received 8 a.m.) London, January 11. The London 'Zoo is caring for the pets of the regiments which have gone to the front. The pets include a monkey, marmosets eagles, penguins, snakes and goldfish.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT QUESTION. Tiusb and Stdnbt Son Bbbviom. (Received 8 a.m.), , London, January 11. A conference of politicians, Colonial officials, clergy, and leading public men and women resolved that the question of unemployment arising out of the war should be treated as an Empire matter, and that the view of representatives of the Dominions should be obtained. “GERMAN IDOLS.” ENGLAND’S MISTAKEN TOLERATION. (Received 8.0 a.m.) London, January 11. At the Educational Congress, Professor Ridgway, in his presidential address said it was British lethargy that had brought the leaders of thought in Germany to the conclusion that England was besotted with cowardice, luxury, and sloth, and that she would fall an easy .prey to any martial race. This contempt was due to an extent to British politicians, scholars, theologians, and scientists in their attitude towards everything German. With few exceptions they were always bowing down to German Idols.

GENERAL. The first article in the November number of the Hibbert Journal was from the pen of Lord Roberts. The last paragraph reads as follows : —* “Two years ago, at a crowded meeting in Manchester, I said to my fel-low-countrymen : ‘Arm and prepare to quit yourselves like men, for the time of your ordeal is at hand.’ I claim a hearing therefore when I say to-day, ‘Arm and prepare to quit yourselves like men for the time of your ordeal has come.’ ”