Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 78, 6 April 1915, Page 5

Great Britain

GERMANY WAS PREPARED SEA CAPTAIN'S TESTIMONY IN A COURT OF LAW. , Times and Sydney Sun Service. (Received 8 a.m.) London, April o. The Times' correspondent in New York states. that proof that German merchantmen were ready for some vears for the outbreak of war is shown in the suits now being tried against the Kronprinz Essin Cecile. Captain Pollock testified that when he took over the vessel in 1912 be received from the former captain a sealed envelope, with instructions not to open it until he got a message telling him of the illness of one signed "Siegfried." On the night of July 31 the Cecile was 1000 miles from Plymouth when a wireless came. It read "Eberhart suffering from catarrh," and it was signed "Siegfried." Captain Pollock opened the envelope and found a code, which, on being deciphered, showed that war had broken out with England. France and Russia. Later he received a message from the German Admiralty stating that war was only threatened, hut not to touch at any port of France, England, or Russia.

PRUSSIAN MILITARISM.

RUSSIA'S MOTIVE FOR ENTERING THE WAR. SMASHING BLOW MUST COME FROM PRUSSIAN PEOPLE. (Received 8.35 a.m.) London, April o. Prior to the opening of the Independent Labour Party's Conference at Norwich, Mr Ramsay MacDonald, M.P., addressing the Union on "Democratic Control," contended that Russia's motive for entering the war was to secure power and influence in the Balkans and Turkey. He said: "Magnificent declarations were made to us about Liberty. Treaty Rights, and National Independence all going into the melting-pot, where they would be mixed up with Russia's ideas of tyranny and French idea* of revenge, but Prussian militarism can't be crushed on battlefields. The smashing blow must come from the Prussian people." THE DRINK PROBLEM. REFORMS DEMANDED. United Press Association. London, April 3.

Temperance reformers have forwarded a memorandum to Mr Asquith, urging that the time Is opportune for a reasonable measure of reform in the direction of Sunday closing and a rigorous curtailment of public-house hours on other days, compulsory closing in the vicinity of camps and military barracks, and a refusal of new licenses during the war. The memorandum considers that total immediate prohibition is impracticable, but believes that if the principle of compensation were accepted it would be possible to obtain drastic temperance legislation by general agreement. The signatories include many leading Churchartists, musicians, and society leaders.

PROS AND CONS OF PROHIBITION

London, April 5

Following his appeal to citizens, through the newspapers, to write him if they favored absolute prohibition, the first mail reaching Mr. Lloyd George brought fifteen thousand letters. Jt is stated that political leaders agree that financial considerations need not hinder the most drastic action on the drink question. The demand for 'absolute prohibition, strangely enough comes principally from busiThe Times' correspondent at Paris participate in the great national sacrifice, while many temperate leaders believe that an attempt to force absolute prohibition will create a dangerous reaction after the war.

Opinion is hardening against complete prohibition and growing in favor of persona] abstinence, with severe legal regulation. The most favoured schemes are Sunday closing, shorter hours on week days, wholesale suppression of spirits. and compulsory brewing of light instead of heavy beers. The Morning Post does not think that persona! example will be sufficient.

The Daily Citizen declares that the wealthy are re-stocking their winecellers, and nine merchants are lushed with large orders, and adds that the working man cannot afford a wine cellar. The. Allied Brewers and National Union of Brewery Workers passed a resolution protesting that thousands of men and women would be thrown out of employment because of the drunkenness of a few men. VODKA AND ABSINTHE. London, April 5. The Times' oorresporlent at Paris says that owing to the magnificent result that the abolition of vodka lias produced in Russia, prohibition of absinthe may be expected in France. It is a significant and interesting manifestation of the new spirit ; which has arisen that the proposed suppression has not excited opposition on the part of the public, and Hi lie amongst the trade

MISCELLANEOUS. London, April 5. Mr Redmond, at Phoenix Park, Dublin, reviewed 25,000 National volunteers from all parts of Ireland. He stated that 25,000 National and a simliar number of Ulster volunteers were serving with the colors. King Albert has awarded to three British nurses—Thompson. White and Waite—the Order of Leopold. The nurses were visiting the first line of trenches. "When they reached the outpost the Germans shelled it vigorously, killing and wounding several men. The nurses refused to return until they tended the wounded and carried them back on stretchers under heavy fire.