Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 92, 21 April 1915, Page 5

Great Britain

THE COUNTRY’S RESPONSE LORD KITCHENER GRATIFIED. United Press Association. (Received 12.d0 p.m.) London, April 20. Mr Lloyd George, in reply to a question, said the Government did not believe the war could he more successfully prosecuted by means of conscription. Lord Kitchener was very gratified at the country’s response. Asked what steps the Government were taking to consult the overseas* ;Ministers to ensure full support of the overseas people when peace is considered, Sir W. Harconrt replied: The Premiers know they will be most welcome at any time. There was always a vacant chair on the Committee of Imperial Defence.”

DEMOCRACY AND PEACE.

POSITION OF THE DEMOCRACIES OF THE EMPIRE. Times and Sydney Sun Service. (Received 8 a.m.) London, April 20. In a letter. Lord Cromer asks: Would universal democracy, somewhat extreme in form, be necessary to inaugurate a universal reign of peace? Would an extreme degree of popular control of foreign affairs guarantee peace? The Times, in a leader, comments on the interesting suggestion, and says; The letter has raised questions of high importance to the country and the Empire. Lord Cromer suggests, as we road his answer, that both ought to be in the negative. While we think it impossible to predict with certainty the attitude which the Democracies of the future will adopt towards foreign affairs, we agree with Lord Cromer that the present trend of Dcmooraic opinion is towards peace. The Democracies of the Empire would readily acknowledge the need for secrecy in the negotiations of diplomacy if Ministers would only speak fully and frankly, and tell them the main outlines of the foreign policy. The days are closing when those . generously sharing our losses and labours in the war can remain without a voice in the question of defence. Foreign affairs are concerning them as deeply as ourselves.

OFFICIAL SECRECY DISCUSSED. Times and Sydney Sun Service. (Received 8 a.in.) London, April 20. The Times, in a leader, commenting on official secrecy, says: It is manifest that the country is getting restive under the unaccustomed restraint. The press do not complain at the suppression of information unknown to the enemy, hut cannot understand that facts which are trumpeted over the Continent and the United States are concealed from the people of Britain. MISCELLANEOUS. J London, April 20. The Daily Mai! argues that if the Government is unwilling to enforce the law of hostages hy immuring a number of Germans in penal prisons, reprisals are easy hy means of money levies on Germans’ property within the Empire, which is estimated at three hundred millions sterling. The Kaiser owns estates in Canada which would he liable to confiscation.

The Xorth Wales Miners’ Association has notified the owners that after May 9th they will cease work in any mine employing non-unionists or nonfinancial members.

In spite of their leaders’ reraomstrances the South Wales miners have decided to support a national strike to secure a 20 per cent, war bonus. The British delegates to the Woman’s Peace Congress were unable to that we had learned how much more reach the Hague owing to the absence of steamers. Lord Bryce, in a letter heartily supporting the congress, said all ought to impress on the various Governments that their supreme duty was to reduce the of war, now that we had learned how much more awful and hideous war can he than anybody supposed.