Second Edition. Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 62, 16 March 1915, Page 6

Second Edition. Great Britain

K. OF K, SPEAKS.

INDIANS' GREAT GALLANTRY.

CANADIANS' METTLE RECEIVES FRENCH'S WARM COMMENDATION.

REINFORCEMENTS NOW IN FRANCE.

(Received. 1.25 p.m.) London, March 10. Lord Kitchener, speaking in the House or Lords, said the recent fighting enabled them to realise how successfully the British had taken the offensive. Sir John French's message of victory stated that the Indians had shown great gallantry from the lUth to .the 13th, the fighting being severe .and their, losses heavy, bui nothing daunted them, and their tenacity aim courage were admirable. The Canadians showed mettle, and received Sir John French's warm commendation for bravery. Lord Kitchener said that since he

last addressed the House considerable I reinforcements had left for France. These included the hist completed divisions of Territorials to leave England. Our association with both the Allies on the western, front only deepened our admiration for their tenacity of resolution, and fighting qualities.

Lord Kitchener, continuing, said the riolent attacks on Warsaw had failed. There had been considerable concentration of troops in East Prussia, and these were now well held or driven back. After referring to the defeat of the Turks at the Suez Canal, he remarked : The operations in the Dardanelles showed the great power of the Allied fleets. The House might rest assured that the matter was well in hand. He regretted that the output of material Was unequal to our necessities, and was not fulfilling expectations. A large number of orders were not completed, thus seriously hampering recruiting through lack of sufficient labour and the necessary plant. He cited.instances of men's absence from work and irregular timekeeping, which, led to a serious diminution of the output "from the factories. The Government was arranging a system by which, important armament firms would come under Government control. .„".*.

KITCHENER'S REGRET AT UNEQUAL OUTPUT OF MATERIAL.

(Eeceived 2.10 p.m.)

„_L,cmd9n, Marcli. ,15,

Lord Kitchener, after alluding to the temptation of drink, said that unless the whole nation co-operated in the supply of necessary armaments and munitions, our successful operations at the various parts would be seriously hampered. His attention had been called more than once to the fact that the restrictions imposed by trade unions had undoubtedly added to our difficulties, not in obtaining sufficient labour, but in making the best use of that labour. He felt confident that all concerned will agree to waive restrictions during the war. .The matter of the output of war material at present and for the next two or three mouths caused him very serious anxiety, and an increased output was of the utmost importance.