Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 25, 30 January 1915, Page 5

Great Britain

IMPERIAL MATTERS. JVERSEAS PARTNERS OF THE EMPIRE. [United pßKfli Abbooiation.l ... London, January 29. 'Hie Times, in a leader on the Dominions' partnership, poinds out that messages from Canada and Australia, show how much the question of Imperial union is in the minds of the people of the Dominions, and re. fers to Australia and New Zealand's great service in the capture of German possessions in the Pacific. As to what is to become of these prizes .vhen the fighting is over, it is mani!est that the Dominions will come to ie consulted on the terms of peace. The essential point is that they should be our partners in every necessity of the tasks of war. We should invite co-operation in its diplomatic uid international demands equally as in the provision of men and munitions

NOT LONG POSTPONED.

(Received 9.30 a.m.) London, January 29

The Times' Toronto correspondent writes: Although the Government is iot convinced of any great advantages to accrue from an Imperial Conference while the energies of Ministers engaged in Canada are devoted to the war, it must not be understood that desire a long postponement."

"A SCRAP OF PAPER." GREYS REPLY TO HOLLWEC. BRITISHERS PERTINENT TIONTnTS AND SYDNIT BUN SIEVTOM. London, January 29.

Sir Edward Grey's reply to Herr Beth maim Hollweg says' that Hollweg aow asks America to believe that the phrase "a scrap of paper" meant the exact opposite, namely, that Britain regarded Belgium's neutrality as a mere trifle, and that Germany took her responsibilities towards neutrals seriously ._ Hollweg's allegation that England in 1911 determined to throw troops into Belgium without Belgium's assent was absolutely false. After detailing the British-Belgian negotiations, which led to Belgium in 1913 receiving a categorical assurance that no British Government would violate •her neutrality, he added that the reasons why a military force was required by Britain in Belgium was that Germany was establishing an elaborate network of strategical railways from the Rhine to the Belgian frontier, deliberately constructed so as to permit of a sudden attack on Belgium such as she carried out in August. This fact alone was enough to justify communications between Belgium and other Powers. If Germany took seriously her responsibilities towards neutrals, why did she refuse to respect their, neutrality? Herr Hollweg, speaking in the Reichstag, claimed the right to commit wrong in virtue of military necessity, and hacking a way through. A treaty which forbade wrong was by comparison a mere scrap of paper. The apologies for these arguments that have since been forthcoming are afterthoughts, and an excuse to explain away a flagrant wrong, and they came badly from a man who on July 29th asked Britain to enter into a bargain to condone the violation of the neutrality of Belgium. The shipwreck of Hollweg's hopes consisted not in the,,fact of a,European war, but in the fact that England did not agree to stand out. If Hollweg really wished peace, why didn't he, like France, Italy and Russia, accept the proposal for a conference ? > "POTSDAM LIES." JUBILANT PRESS COMMENT. United Pbess Association. (Received 8.25 a.m.) London, January 29. The Press are jubilant over Sir Edward Grey's crushing reply to Holl'weg's allegation. The Daily Express remarks: The world is growing weary of Potsdam lies. Ananias will find again the world laughing at him for his .suppression of the truth. • False suggestion, disingenious deductions, and downright thumping lies are utterly ineffective as weapons." SOLDIER-POLITICIANS. ABSENTEES FROM THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. Times and Sydney Sun Services. (Received 8.0 a.m.) London, January 29. When Parliament re-assembles on Tuesday, over 200 members of the House of Commons will be absent ow. ing to military duties, 44 being Liberals and the remainder Unionists. One hundred and eighty will be absent from the House of Lords.

THE SPY MENACE. HOSPITAL NURSES DISCOVERED AT THE CAME. United Pbebb Association. (Received 8.25 a.m.) London, January 29. "The Mirror" calls attention to the danger of spies masquerading as nurses. Lord Kitchener, who is thoroughly alive to the menace, caused an investigation to be made, and at the Southampton hospital four women who were found discussing affairs relative to the army were dismissed. On the other side of the Channel, matters are more serious. Two nurses found as spies were effectively deal with. >

WHAT THE BANDS DECLARE. RUDYARD KIPLINC INTERPRETS Initbd Pans Association. (Received 8.0 a.m.) London, January 29. Rudyard Kipling, at a meeting at the Mansion House to provide bands with which to aid recruiting, said: "Drums and fifes alone meant at least that we were tongue-tied when our blood is at its best. The bands can declare, on our behalf, without shame and shyness, something of what we all feel. Heip us to reach out a hand towards the men who have been imprisoned to save us."