Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 24, 28 May 1915, Page 5

Great Britain

“NATIONAL SERVICE.”

NEW CABINET’S WATCHWORD.

Times and Sydney Sun Service (Received S.U a.m.) London, Mav 27

Tlii' Times, in a leader, says: “Much depends mi the spirit of the individual Ministers who are faced with the new situation. The Cabinet is a tremendous experiment, and we can only trust in their belief of self-sacrifice, patriotism and readiness to sink small issues. The conspicuous features of its formation will carry them safely through. Far greater trials are ahead, and the future depends on tlie courage of the new Government to rise to the greatest opportunity in history. We hope its watchword will lie national service in the broadest sense.” A RUSH FOR RESPIRATORS. FEAR OF POISON FROM AERIAL BOMBS. Unitid Fbv.m Arpooiatiom. (Received 8.55 a.m.) London, May 27. The police warning to the citizens to keep their windows tightly closed, as in the event of an aerial visitation there is a fear of poison from the bombs dropped, sent the people rushing to buy respirators. Many shops sold out. Except for the mouthpiece, the respirators are made of non-in-flammable celluloid or rubber with motor goggles and fittings to protect the eyes.

THE BRITISH ADMIRALTY.

ADMIRAL FISHER’S TERMS.

(Received o.lo,a.in*) London, May 27

The Express states; Admiral Fisher intimated he would only return on terms, namely, on the inclusion of his nominees in office at the Admitalt\ and on his complete and untrammelled control of the Department. Admiral Fisher was ordered to return to his post, but did not do so. The public would lie wise to withold jndgment. The Dardanelles expedition was inevitable, and the first fruits •ire Italy’s two million troops, while Roumania and Greece tremble in the balance.

HEW ZEALAND NURSES. entertained before DEPARTURE FOR EGYPT. (Received 8.35 a.m.) London, May 27. The Empire Parliamentary Association entertained the New Zealand nurses at the Houses of Parliament prior to their departure for Egypt.

NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.

further appointments.

London, May 27. The following appointments have hoen made outside the Cabinet: — Mr Herbert L. Samuel.—Postmas-ter-Genera I. Mr F. E. Smith, K.C.—SolicitorGeneral. The Hon. E. S. Montague—Secretary of the Treasury. (No change). VARIOUS OPINIONS. London, May 20. At the Carlton Club Mr. Bouar Law, amid cheers, read Mr, Asquith’s letter inviting the 1 nionists to entei the Cabinet, in which he said that after long consideration it had been decided to conduct the war to a successful issue which could not be aiiccted except by a Cabinet representing all parties. Alter consultation with Lord Lansdowno and other leaders, Mr oßnar Law accepted the position in the Cabinet. The Manchester Guardian states there are rumors that Mr. Asquith may ultimately leave the Treasury, Mr. Lloyd George becoming Premier. The rumors are not without foundation.

At the Carlton Club, Lord Lansdowno said there had been shoitcum* mgs and miscalculations in the conduct of the war. Me were not sure of getting enough men or the right men. It was common knowledge that a failure to supply the essential munitions has many times interlered with the military operations. The staying power of the country was going to lie taxed as never before, and the Opposition, therefore, was hound to accept a share of the responsibility. Mr. Bouar Law said that the L'nionists were entering the coalition with a lixed determination to act loyally towards every member of the Cabinet, putting aside all thought ol Home Rule, the Welsh Church, and other party questions. We all regret Mr. Redmond has not joined the new Goveminent. We must roulise it is entitled to act with the strength of a Government which has the nation behind it.

The Duke of Rutland and Leicester spoke with a certain knowledge when he said the men at the front were suffering abominable tortures from most hopeless forgetfulness on the part of the military authorities in respect of creating a constant supply of guns and shells. There was not a thousandth part of explosive shells supplied that were required. Regiments went into the trenches with a couple of dozen hand grenades. He believed Mr. Lloyd George was on e ol the few men capable of putting the matter on a strong and energetic business | footing. ( Lord Milner, in a letter to the j Times, says the change in the Ministry will not bring Victory without a ' ' /

change of method. Xine-tenths of the hitches, delays, blunders and widespread uneasiness and discontent arc due to the I act that the country still clings to the voluntary system-, while the enemy is organised on the principle of national service throughout. This handicap is too enormous. The spirit of the nation is excellent to supply the needs of firm leadership. iTlicre ought to he a census in order that tin* country may call men out in the right order, the younger before, the older, and the unmarried before the married. If the present call for 300.000 succeeds it will he needlessly .disorganising and wasteful, ihe unfairness of leaving the individual to decide who is to bear the burden will become increasingly disturbing to tlie I public mind. The present method is unfair to our soldiers, the Allies, and thousands of men, some of whom are unjustly denounced as slackers and cowards when they are really ignorant and bewildered. We have hitherto relied too exclusively on picking our people, and it is high time we enrolled the whole of tlie able-bodied manhood of the nation. We are ready to obey: it only needs the captain on the bridge to give the signal. Times and Sydney Sun Service. London, May 26.

The Times, in a leader, emphasises the urgent and imperative need of national service in its broadest sense. It has taken long months of slaughter to awaken the nation to the immensity of the task before them, and the immensity of the effort demanded, which is only accomplishable by Britain’s |whole strength disciplined, marshalled. and co-ordinated. On all sides military and civil people now realise the Dominions’ system of military service is thoroughly democratic. They await the new Government to speak the word, and are ready to obey. Paris, May 27.

The newspapers favorably comment on the Cabinet, particularly the inclusion of Lord Lansdowne, who was tlie principal negotiator for the Entente Cordiale. Satisfaction is expressed that Mr. Churchill remains in the Cabinet.