Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 17, 20 May 1915, Page 5

Great Britain

THE EMPIRE'S SONS. MR ASQUITH'S HICH TRIBUTE. "A MAGNIFICENT RECORD." Unitxo T'nKHji Association. (Received 9.5 a.m.) London, -May 19. The Premier (Mr Asquitli), in moving a resolution at the patriotic meeting at the Guildhall, said they had sent unequalled armies into the held, which were steadily and continually being reinforced, but more men were wanted to replace the fallen, and to increase the defences, in order to make a decisive victory certain. "We at Home." he said, "had every reason to liestir ourselves. The main theatre of war was nearer to London than the northern countries. The daily stream of wounded pouring into the hospitals seemed sometimes almost to hear the echo of the guns, but it was not so with their fellow-subjects, jwhose magnificent comradeship and 'co-operation the meeting now paid tribute to. They were far removed from the conflict. The high setis are now cleared of the enemy and their commerce was being pursued in an almost normal course. Yet they were the sons and daughters of the Empire, and what touched them, touched us." Mr. Asquith detailed the Dominions and India's gifts of material and men, and described them as a magnificent record in which an Empire might feel the highest pride'. The Australians and New Zealanders had proved worthy Colonial comrades. India sent twenty-eight regiments of cavalry and 12-1 regiments of infantry for service outside India. It all showed that the Empire had one purpose of heart, that that there was no part of the Empire but would suffer annihilation rather thah' become subjects of any other sovereignty. Why, he asked, did the Colonies rally round the Standard? It was to defeat the machinations of the man who had violated all the rights of mankind.

OUR GREAT ALLIES. MR BONAR LAW'S ADMIRATION. (Received 10.0 a.m.) London, May 19. Mr Asquith concluded; "We have noble comrades-in-arms. "We have also great Allies, who are none the less potent because to the eye or the sense they are invisible, and among them is man's unconquerable mind." Mr Bonar Law, in seconding, said that when an venomous reptile got loose, the only thing to do was to destroy it'. That was not easy, and therefore it required putting forth our full strengh to the last ounce. The Dominions were the first to come forAvard to support the Empire, and they would not be last to enter the enemy's capital. He said he now had hope that as the result of the war, there would be an Empire Parliament, in which every part of the Empire would be represented. NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. OPPOSITION MEMBERS ACCEPT OFFICE. London, May 19. The Daily Chronica states that a National Government is being formed. The resignations include Lord Haldane (Lord Chancellor), Mr. L. V. Harcourt (Colonial Secretary), Mr. A. Birrell (Lord Chancellor of Ireland), Lord Lucas (President of the Board of Agriculture), Lord Beauchamp (Lord President of the Council), Mr J. A. Pease (President of the Board of Education), and Mr. C. E. Hobhouse (Postmaster-General). Mr. Bonar Law, Mr. A. J. Balfour, Mr. Austen Chamberlain, Lord Derby, Mr. A. Long, and Mr. F. E. Smith have accepted office. WAR POLICY UNAFFECTED. (Received 10.25 a.m.) London, May 19. Mr. Asquith,, in the House of Comi mons, said they were contemplating the reconstruction of the Govern- ' meut on a broader personal and poliItical basis, but tin's would not affect the Premiership, Foreign office, or the War Policy. NO SURRENDER! "FOR PURPOSES OF WAR ONLY." (Received 9.20 a.m.) London, May 19. The Premier (Mr Asquith), in the House of Commons, said that any reconstruction of the Government was ifor the purpose of war alone, and [must not be taken as indicating anything in the nature of surrender or compromise of anybody's political purposes and ideals. | Mr Bonar Law said the Opposition's sole consideration was the finishing 'of the war. They would leave out of 'their minds all considerations, political or otherwise.

ALLEGED SPIES. I | London, May ID. There is evidence that lemons and formalin have been used for the invisible writing found on Kuepferle, who also attempted to communicate by means of a letter with another German while in prison. Sir John Simon intimated that he would read the invisible letter in cam-

THE AUSTRALIAN CENSORSHIP.

GERMANY'S COTTON SUPPLIES. (.Received 10 a.m.) London. May 20. Questioned respecting the censoring in the Australian press of news'which was published in London, Mr. Ilea on behalf of Mr. Hareourt replied that the responsibility rested with the Commonwealth Government. Mr Lloyd George, in reply to a question, said the action taken since the 11th of March was effective in every respect in preventing cotton 'reaching Germany.