Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 34, 10 June 1915, Page 5

Great Britain

GOMPULSORY TRAINING. THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION. Time* aw u Sydney Bun Bebviok. (Received 8 a.m.) London. June IU. The Premier (Mr Asquith), questioned whether the Government had decided on the compulsory military training of young men not required in other than Government work, replied in the negative. NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. THE TIMES' COMMENT. Tim bb and Sydnry Sun S»bvioi. (Received 8.0 a.m.) London, June 10.

The Times, in a leader, says:"There is not the least doubt that the action of the House on the Munitions Bill reflects the strong, clear, and decided desire of the country. The criticism was mostly from irresponsible quarters. It is idle to tell the masses that in this self governing decmoeracy the Government is going to establish a dictatorship, impose slavery on the workers, and t-W--plant German militarism to our soil. They are too sensible and well-in-formed to he deluded hy windy rhetoric of this kind."

DISSATISFIED NATIONALISTS. Times and Syoney Sun Seevioe. (Received 8 a.m.) London, June 10. Though Mr. J. H. Campbell acepted the Chancellorship of Ireland, the appointment is not finally ratified. A Nationalists' meoting displayed the greatest hostility to Mr. Campbell. MEMBERS SHOW THEIR TEMPER Times and Sydney Sun Seevioe. (Received 8 am.) London, June 13 A Parliamentary correspondent sa ys:—ln the 'House of Commons such ugly temper by members was not displayed in such passion sine* the outbreak of war. Liberals, Nationalists, and Socialists joined bitterly in denouncing the application to labour of the compulsory neasures which Mr. Lloyd George uggested at Manchester may utimately be necessary. SENTRIES' SUSPENSION ACT.

1 ''' (Received' 9.15 a.m.) Loudon, June 9. Professor J\ H. Morgan narrated the genesis of the Army Sentries' Suspension Act, giving sentenced soldiers an opportunity of redeeming their character. A sergeant who lost his nerve was sentenced to five years' servitude for cowardice, but before the sentence could be carried out the Prussian Guard attempted to break through, and the sergeant fought with such bravery that probably but for the sentence would have .received the Victoria Cross. The sentence was quashed. THE CASUALTIES. STATEMENT BY, BRITAIN'S PREMIER. (Received 10.40 a.m.) London, June 9. Mr Asquith, in the House of Commons, said, the casualties, among the British Expeditionary Forces, in Fiance and the Mediterranean to the end of May were: Killed 3327 officers and 17,015 of other ranks; wounded—63Bß officers and 147,482 others; missing—--1130 officers and 52,617 others. The naval figures were incomplete, but would be given on Tuesday. Mr Balfour, in announcing the sinking of the German submarine, made

a statement regarding submarine prisoners. Arrangements were being made whereby the treatment would bo identical with that of other prisoners. This did not indicate a change of opinion as to the character or acts wherein the prisoners were concerned. Their practices were not merely ilagrant contradiction of the laws of war, but were most cowardly and brutal and .must lie remembered. However, attacks on defenceless vessels were not the only violations of the laws of humanity whereof the Germans were guilty, and the Government therefore was of opinion that the submarine problem could not be treated in isolation. The general question of personal responsibility could be reserved until the end of the war.