Second Edition Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 55, 3 November 1915, Page 6

Second Edition Great Britain

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BRITISH MERCANTILE MARINE. POWER TO DEAL WITH NATIONAL EMERGENCY. :: J" .;'. [Pkitbe Press Assjoiation.] (Received LoO p.m.) London. November 2. The Press Bureau states that the Hoard of Trade deny that the GovI eminent contemplated requisitioning the whole of the British mercantile 'marine, but that they had decided to take powers to deal with eases where a national emergency exists in any particular * market owing to the absence of tonnage, by requisitioning sufficient vessels. BRITISH PREMIER'S SPEECH. MR ASQUITHS DICNIFIED WORDS. SYMPATHY WITH THE KING. (Received '1.25 p.m.) London, November 2. In the House of Commons the Prime. Minister (Mr Asquith), in the name 1 of the-whole House, expressed sympathy with the King. He was glad to 1 say His Majesty was once more on British soil and going on as well as could possibly be expected. The occasion was one of which the House ought to take advantage and express admiration of the manner in which the King always discharged his peculiarly responsible-duties. i Turning to the War Statement. Mr lAsquith said he was afraid there was doomed to disappointment many expectations of those who thought his' duty was to appear in the guise of aj criminal., making the best defence lie ■ could or as a white-sheeted penitent asking for absolution. He proposed j to adopt neither attitude,' but, to speak as the head of the Government, j he would say we were as determined to-day as ever to prosecute. the war! to a successful issue, and use every means, and exhaust, if necessary,, every resource for the attainment of j tlbe common supreme purpose. ! Mr Asquith continue^: The tone ' to-day in some parts x>f the horizon is overcast. This itar, like all great Avars, has been full of surprises and disappointments to all the combatants. It seemed at this moment that the .situation in Britain called in an exceptional degree for three things, I vi'z., a proper sense of perspective —(Applause)—a limitless stock of patience, and an overflowing reservoir of both active ami passive courage. I