Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 33, 10 February 1915, Page 5

Great Britain

THE COST OF THE WAR. not in the public interest to disclose. United Press Association. London, February 9. A Treasury minute points out that it is undesiirable, even if it were possible to give detailed estimates of the cost of the war. One difficulty was the impossibility of forecasting if,the war will end with the current financial year. It was also not in the public interest to disclose the natuie anc extent of the operations wherefor provision was required. Therefore, in a war where the whole of our resources were involved ordinary procedure would be arbitrary and artificial. They must proceed by votes of credit. Nominal votes were now submitted to afford a statutory basis for appropriations to enable the House of Commons to discuss them, WHAT THE GERMANS HAVE ACCOMPLISHED FOR US. AN ARMY CORPS A WEEK. London, February 9. The [ Times’ military correspondent says: “We have seen «quadrons bombarding our undefended ports, Zeppelins bombing open towns, and submarines sinking merchantmen. We would have paid them to come, for since the Scarborough raid we have recruited an army corps a week. Ihe threat of piracy leaves us cold. If German teeth like to bite granite, why shouldn’t they. The madness of the German people is likely to affect their strategy, and load to adventures which no sane leader uouh sanction in his calm moments.” GERMANY COPPER REQUIREMENTS. (Received 8.25 a.hi.) London, February 9 A leading copper authority estimates that Germany uses 309 tons of copper daily in ammunition, and that she would require to import 72,000 tons yearly to maintain the supply of cartridges and shells. The price in Germany has increased two hundred per cent, since the commencement of ' the war. LABOR’S RECRUITING ROLL. YORKSHIRE MINERS AT THE FRONT. Times and Sydney Sun Service. (Received 8.0 a.in.) London, February 9. Coalminers head Labor’s recruiting roll, between 150,000 and 200,000 having listed, which is roughly twenty per cent of the whole body. A battalion of the new army is composed of Yorkshire miners. Their training makes them splendid trench sappers. The miners of Yorkshire and the mining villages arc strangely subdued, most of the young men having gone to the front.

THE SILVER BULLET.

ALLIES RECOGNISE THE POWER OF MONEY. WHERE THE BATTLE WILL BE WON. Times and Sydney Sun Service. (Received 8.0 a.m.) London, February 9. The Times, in a leader on the Allies finance, says: “The conference in Paris shows the world that the Allies realise to the full that the war is not merely a conflict for supremacy in fighting power on land and sea. It is a proof that they realise it involves every activity of modern life, and that victory must be won as much in the money markets and in the factories of the world as on the battlefield. Germany knows this, as her frenzied protests against the strangulation of her industries and food-supplies by Britain’s sea power have shown. The Conference is the best proof that the union of the three Powers has been strengthened by tlx© strain of war.”

THE BRITISH ARMY. ITS GLORIOUS RECORDS. A SECRET WORTH KNOWING. London, February 9. Mr H. J. Tennant, Under-Secretary for Wav, in the House of Commons, said the thing above all that the enemy wanted to know was the number of men that would be opposed to them in the future. It was possible to make a fair computation in conscription countries, but it was not so easily done under England’s happy voluntary principle. He hoped that nobody knowing the figures would be so irresponsible as to divulge them. Our initial difficulty was to provide sufficient accommodation for tho men who flocked to the colours. That difficulty had been gradually overcome. When numbers of the troops brought from overseas scathless was known it* would be recorded as one of tho most extraordinary feats of the war. The supply of horses meets all future requirements. Mr Tennant testified to tho efficiency of the medical service, and concluded by saying that “although wo are unable to forecast what is in front of us no one in tho House is despondent. All are determined that the Allies should dictate the terms of peace. The nation’s efforts are worthy of onr past, and the gallantry of our soldiers, of the highest and the lowest rank, is worthy to rank among the most glorious records of any army at any time.”

Replying to Mr Lang, Mr Tennant stated that General Sir lan Hamilton was responsible for Home defence. FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. DEBATE IN THE COMMONS. London, February 9. A debate followed on Mr King’s motion, in the House Commons condemning the Press Bureau for restricting the freedom of the Press. He declared that its working bad caused suspicion and discontent, and that its methods and principles were wholly unintelligible. Sir S. 0. Buckmaster said the motion was based on a charge that the Bureau had withheld information. On the contrary the Bureau published instantly everything that it had power to publish, but nothing was issued un-

less it "as absolutely tine. His first duty was to prevent the publication of newfe that would unduly depress

people when the news was out ot rej latiou to the true I acts. He denied j that he had used the office to shield his colleagues from criticism. Air Honar Law said it would he a great advantage if bulletins were regularly issued, similar to those issued in France. He wondered if the House realised the tremendous event that the battle of Ypres was. “We had,’’ he said, “lugger losses there than almost in any battle in our history wherein purely British troops were

engaged, and out of which we came with great honour. It was time the country knew the details of the battle.” The motion was negatived.