Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 57, 5 November 1915, Page 5

Great Britain

DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT. THE COMMONS DEBATE. [United Press Association.] London, Novebmer 3. Mr John Redmond said that Mr Asquith’s proposal, with reference to the Cabinet, would silence the wreckers for the time being. He wa-. against imposing compulsion. Unless the country were practically unanimous it would he a folly and a crime. The voluntary system had not had fair play in Ireland, where hitherto the Government and the War Office had given neither assurance nor sympathy. Despite discouragement there were between three-hundred and four hundred thousand Irishmen in the army, including 115,00 Uin Britain, and there were Irishmen in the Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand forces.

Mr Barnes did not object to Mr Asquith’s statement. The safety of the State must he the supreme consideration, and if it became absolutely necessary to bring in compulsion for the young unmarried men who did not yet realise their duty, he supposed if was justifiable, but the time had not come.

Lord Charles Beresford did not think that Mr Asquith’s speech would relieve the nation’s anxiety. The Government now knew they would never get through the Dardanelles. It was altogether wrong for Lord Kitchener to conduct tile war while in the Cabinet. Mr Asquith’s cynical and callous doctrine of waiting to see was absolutely fatal to success in war. Hitherto we had no proper plan of campaign. The naval authorities had never been consulted about the Dardanelles operations, but had simply been told to do it. A large army ought to have been sent to Serbia in the first instance, instead of embarking on the blind gambling risk at Gallipoli.

' Mr Whittaker deplored Sir Edward Carson’s speech, which would have a. disastrous effect upon the colonies and the Allies. It looked as if Sir Edward Carson had taken to moonlighting.

IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS, London, November 3. Lord Middleton, in the House of Lords, gave notice of his intention to ask the Government to exercise more effective supervision over the control of naval and military expenditure. Lord St. Davids explained that his reason for suggesting summoning the Privy Council was to endeavour to find a suitable place where to criticise the action of 1 the Government. He said; “We have reached a point where criticism is very necessary. The coalition has not led to any noticeable increase in the vigor and prosecution of the war, but has effectively killed parliamentary opposition. Both France and Russia were changing their Governments with a view to getting the most perfect instrument to carry on the war. No man had a right to a place in the Government by reason of rank or wealth, and the only test should be usefulness. By this test great changes will be necessary in high places.” Lord Willoughby de Broke said that Parliament was the proper place to discuss the question. Mr Asquith’s speech had not enlightened any intelligent person. If they could get rid oi the Grand Duke Nicholas in the middle of the war they could get rid ol Mr Asquith.

Lord Moreley said that the provocation caused by the interefcrenco with the publication of news was universal. Everything which made the enemy think we were afraid encouraged him. Lord Morley referred to the VValchereii Expedition in 1809, and the -subsequent committee of enquiry. If the Dardanelles became as unfortunate as ho believed, Parliament would not hesitate to ask for papers to take other steps.

Lord Crewe, in replying, said that if it wag desired there should be a fid] enquiry into the Dardanelles and other features of the war, when the proper time comes the Government will not shrink therefrom. Lord de Broke asked whether there was any treaty between Bulgaria and Germanv made last march.

Lord Crewe replied ; We have very strong reason to believe that such a treaty exists, although we are not in possession of the actual terms.

Lord Morley asked the Government to prevent idle censor interfering with news unless it was calculated to prejudice naval or military operations. He. deplored the effect upon neutrals of the ostrich-like activities and childish insincerities of the censorship. Lord Crewe, on behalf of the Government, pointed out the difficulties of calling the ITivy Council together. The Lord Chancellor said that a strict and vigorous censorship was required for the safety and protection of the troops. The world at the present moment wag as a whispering gallery. The debate was adjourned. PRESS COMMENT. London, November ff. The Globe states that Mr Bonar Law was almost in complete, agreement with Sir K. Carson, and intended to resign at the same time, hot was induced to reconsider his decision.