Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 59, 8 November 1915, Page 5

Great Britain

LORD KITCHENER. departure for near east. DENIAL OF RESIGNATION. United Press Association. London, November 5. A Court Circular states that the. King gave audience to Lord Kitchener last night. Newspapers regarded the statement, in view of the King’s health, as implying that a matter of grave moment was involved, and wild rumours were circulated in London between 4.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. These were finally silenced by the Press Bureau’s announcement that Lord Kitchener had not resigned. | Papers were eagerly purchased, and there were sensational placards posted everywhere. , Official: Lord Kitchener has de- ' parted on a short visit to the Eastern threatre of war. I The Press Bureau announces that the military authorities have suppressed the Globe newspaper. The police ■seized yesterday’s and to-day’s copies and the plant. It is understood the action is due to yesterday’s statement in the paper that Lord Kitchener had resigned. (Received 8.20 a.in.) London, November 7. The police seized the Globe’s files and a quantity of correspondence, cut off the electric power, and removed the sterotype plates and the vital parts of the printing and lynotype machines. The Times say it may be taken for granted that Lord Kitchener’s mission is different to visits previously made, and necessitated an absence that would not be unnatural if be devoted himself entirely to consuliation with the Allies with a view to a settlement of the tangled Near East problem.

The Morning Post says it is generally believed Lord Kitchener’s business will necessitate a stay so prolonged that it will lie necessary fo fill his place in the War Office before long. Though it is true that he has cot resigned, this present duty makes it certain that his resignation i.s only delayed.

The Press Bureau declares that it is untrue to suggest that Lord Kitchener tendered his resignation or that his visit to the King had any relation to such subject, or to his visit to the Eastern theatre of war in any way betokens that his resignation is contemplated. On the contrary his visit is undertaken in the discharge of his duty as Secretary of State, which ho has no intention of abandoning. The Weekly Despatch says, in reference i to Lord Kitchener, that the problems of the immediate futurq are connected with Indian as an important recruiting centre for the defence of Egypt, coupled with the necessity of carefully watching German intrigues towards the creation of unrest. There is also concern about our army at Gallipoli; our forces are converging on Bagdad; an army is accumulating in Macedonia, and hence there is room for a central coordinating authority at such a convenient spot as Alexandria or Cairo to supervise these varied activities. If Lord Kitchener is going to establish that authority he is better qualified than anyone else. Newspapers quote Lord Kitchener’s reference in the House of Lords on August 25th that his post was only a temporary one.

Tlie Evening Standard says that if the task of arganising new armies is completed, Lord Kitchener can put his great gifts to other purposes. He is a great administrator, hut is also a great soldier, and may yet be found directing the fighting machine which lie himself created. Newspapers point out that Mr Asquith, as chairman of the Committee of Imperial Defence, is familiar with all war matters, and the task of the Secretaryship of War has been considerably lightened since Mr Lloyd George became Minister of Munitions and Lord Derby Director of Recruiting. KITCHENER’S MISSION. (Received 9.25 a.m.) London, November .7. The Observer states that Kitchener’s mission dominates the situation, and no augury less than hopeful must bo drawn. Obviously the key to the struggle lies in the East, suggesting three main points: First, we intend the Russian offensive in 1010 to have free play in the war of attrition and the Western Powers must link up across the Balkans with the Czar’s armies; secondly, Constantinople must continue to be the main British objective, however approached; thirdly, the new plans must bo based on the best counsels, and the Army and Navy must send to the Aegean forces without stint. The News of the World says it is understood the delicate task of establishing greater co-operation between the Allies has been entrusted to Kitchener, who has special qualifications for such a mission. Reynolds’ newspaper states that though the precise nature of the task cannot in the public interest at present be disclosed, it will ultimately be recognised that Kitchener is the man most likely to achieve success; therein the country’s obligation to him has greatly incerased by bis acceptance of the mission.

INDIA’S LOYALTY. PRINCES’ GENEROSITY CON- . TINUES. 1 SPECIAL EFFORTS IN VARIOUS DIRECTIONS. (Received 8.20 a.in.) Simla, November 7. Mr Asquith’s statement made an excellent impression throughout India. Princes continue their generous monelary and other war gifts. Special efforts are being made to increase the output of wolfram from Burua. 1 lie jute mills are working night and day, making bags for the Allies. Ihe manufacture oi munitions continues briskly, and the industrial sections are prospering greatly. The agrieultuial conditions ou the whole are lair to good, hut rain is wanted in the northwest. Recruiting is vigirons. especially among the Sikhs, Gurkhas, and Punjabis.

LADY HAMILTON’S GENEROUS OPTIMISM. (Received 8.50 a.m.) London, November 7. Lady lan Hamilton, in receiving gifts for the troops at the Dardanelles, sa id: “These splendid men are fighting against all the odds of Nature which the enemy is able to congregate, but they can win right through, if the recent changes mean that they are going to he helped to win through more rapidly, none will lie more glad than myself.” SIR JOHN FINDLAY, G.B. HONORS FOR NEW ZEALANDERS (Received 10.45 a.m.) London, November 7. On Monday morning the papers announce the following New Zealand honors: — Companion of <the Bath—Sir John Findlay. Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George— Brigadier-General Andrew Russell. Companion of St. Michael and St. George—Lieutenant-Colonel Begg. Companion of the Distinguished Service Order Majors Charles Browne, James Mbyte, Robert Young; Captain Beck. Military Cross—Lieutenant Oakey and Lieutenant Blackett.

THE HABIT OF ALCOHOtiUGI Li i sm" : ca < > (Received 8.20 a.m.) j,. , ’ London,‘November 7. ‘ i The Spectator, commenting on the diminution of drunkenness as the result of the non-treating order;, expresses indignation ■at the Government’s shortation economy while refraining to check expenditure by forbidding the sale of drink in wartime. Thereby they would save £150,000,000 yearly, set free the foodstuffs, and improve moral and hygenic conditions. The paper points out that since the prohibition of vodka in Russia the savings bank deposits increased from seventy thousand to three million sterling. THE VOLUNTARY SYSTEM OF RECRUITING, y’ 1; (Received 11.30 a.rfi.) London, November ; 7, The Trades Unions’ demonstration in Trafalgar Square, in furtherance of Lord Derby’s scheme, passed a resolution favoring the voluntary system as against conscription. The speakers said the one weak spot of the voluntary system was the holding back of young unmarried men.