Second Edition. Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 88, 13 August 1915, Page 6

Second Edition. Great Britain

CHEERFUL STOCK EXCHANGE. United Press Association, (Received 1.25 p.m.) London, August 12. Though the Stock Exchange is less active, the general tone is cheerful. Russian stocks are bright and prominent. which is attributed to the Dardanelles success or a surprise by the Grand Duke Nicholas. The former is considered the more likely, as the Black Sea oils have improved. The Russian rate exchange, which closed at 144 on Wednesday touched 131 this fivbrning, and closed at 135. Wheat is firm upon retarded threshings, and also damaged quality of the American winter crop owing to the continuous rains. COTTON AS CONTRABAND. London. August 12. Sir C. W. Macara. president of the English Federation of Master Cotton ' Spinners Association, presided at a meeting in Queen’s Hall, and urged declaring cotton contraband. Sir C. W. Macara said they did not doubt that cotton was largely used in the manufacture of explosives. He was sure the Government had given anxious consideration to a complicated problem, but Britain must utilise her command of sea to cotton reaching the enemy countries, it } was absolutely necessary to take strong measures, while acting fairly to neutrals. He had long advocated ensuring an adequate supply for lean years, and they might arrange an Anglo-American purchase of the cotton ordinarily going to Germany. Sir William Ramsay said that cot-

ton is the only substance the Germans could not supply for munitions. No chemical products could replace raw cotton, and ammunition from used cotton is more ineffective than that made from unused cotton. If Britain stop-

ped cotton, she stopped the war. Cotton was reaching Germany from various sources. Sweden imported twentyfive fold the amount required for her own needs. Britain was contributing indirectly to the defeat ol the Russians, and it was grossly unfair to the Allies and ourselves. 11 Lord Charles Beresford wrote deploring, the fatal wait to see Britain’s policy. What good was the Coalition Government if it procrastinated like its predecessors# mastery; otf : the.sea [if. wv failed to reap the advantages# The meeting passed a resolution urging the Government, in the interests of the Empire and the Allies, to immediately declare cotton as contraband, thus ensuring the protection of the. interests of neutral growers and consumers, M ■ 1 f ENEMY CONTRACTS’ ACT. : 1 -V .v, : (Received 1.40'p.m.) ■ ' ’ • London,, August 12, , i The Globe quotes from Hansard Mr Hifghes’ speech on the Enemy, Contracts’ Act, which affords a startling revelation of the extent of the workings of the German octobus, which were often conducted under the cloak of British Nationality and dominated the world’s base metal output. The Globe asks: “What i s Britain doing to break down this dangerous monopoly, which has already robbed us of the much-needed sinews of war. The whole Australian metal market has been held up, benefiting the enemy negatively during the war, and positively the moment peace returns creating fan absurd situation. The Commonwealth Government has set am excellent example to the Imperial authorities by taking - the question in hand.' Now is the. time to lay our plans for.a war o, commerce, and at the conclusion of the war of fire and steel abolish the farce of companies posing as British merely by registration. Strike off the shackles on British enterprise, thus enabling expansion.” THE MUNITIONS BRIGADE. , London, August 12. The ten thousand five hundred volunteers in the Munitions Brigade, who are working itightly and on week-ends, include a peer, barristers, bankers, .artjsts, and barbers,;.and are becoming S quickly proficient and skilled workmen". , . -I MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. London, August 12. Worth has closed his London house owing to the economics. The Minister of Munitions announces that the Government has taken control of 345 establishments for the manufacture of munitions, limiting the employers’ profits, and the excess will be paid into the Exchequer. Thus the workmen are making sacrifices for thy natron as a whole,and not as individuals.

It is' surmised in naval circles that the announcement of the Turkish cruiser Burharossa, having been lost, is intended to cover the more serious loss of the Qoehen or Breslau.