Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 67, 18 November 1915, Page 6

Great Britain

IN THE COMMONS. , , ; V THE QUESTION OF CONSCRIPTION United Press Association. Lpndon, November 16. ■ Mr Asquith’s explanation in the House of Commons to-day was aivait- . od with intense interest. The Premier, however, refused to go beyond his statement of November 2. He added: “My confident hope is that there will he no coercion, as there will be an adequate response from all classes in recruiting, especially from the unmarried men.” Mr ,T. W. Thomas denied Mr Asquith’s statement. He inferred that - conscription would operate after November 30, if voluntarism failed,' and this would be a violation pre-eminent , to the Labor Party, Before even the question of compulsion for unmarried ,nien could be entertained, the question must be considered stage by stage. It was a fallacy to suggest that single men,should be pushed into the army while married men were exempted. Mr Bonaf Law said he regarded the debate as unfortunate. He synipathr ised with Mr Thomas’ views. If Lord Derby’s sheme, were given a fair chance lie believed it would succeed, whereupon the disadvantage of divld- • ing the nation would disappear; hut .• Mr -Asquith' had| said that if the scheme' failed- other measures would he adopted. Our financial resources are one of the strongest assets, but they must be used to get a quick decision. We Could not go on for ever. It is.impossible to finance the war indefinitely, Our future depended on

the number of soldiers we could place iu the field at a decisive period. It would be something to remember with pride if we are able to conclude the war tinder voluntarism. Mr . Iliad' been, more than anybody, responsible lor the success of the war and for] Britain's future.' If Mr Asquith hon-j > estly concluded that volunteers insufficient, and that thereby we would 1 either lose the war or prolong it iu-J • definitely,-would he’'{Mr Asquith) consent to the continuance of a system j which could not. succeed? Mr. Bonar, Law said he believed that if Mt As-! qulth did say that any other .scheme ( was necessary he would expect the backing of all his countrymen; otherwise he could not accept the responsibility of the conduct of the war. Sir T. P. Whittaker, considered that Mr , Asquitli’s and Lord Derby s statements did not accord. Loid Derby’s statement resembled a threat. Mr Llewellyn Williams complained that members of the Commons were kept in the dark. A number of solars were required before abandoning voluntarism, and members ought to if know- "authoritatively the effect of the enormous enlistments on Britain s finances and commerce.

London. November 17.. ' In the House of Lords, Lori at. David violently attacked the British ■ Headquarters Staff in France, accusing them of genera! incompetence ami laziness. He asserted that there are a number of young men on the Staff who ought to he in the trenches. The thing was scandalous. Many,of them owed their positions to patromige,>aml were thrust upon Sir John French. ■ Victory, over and over again, had been stopped hy had staff work. The gallantry of the soldiers and regimental officers had been unsurpassed, but. their efforts had been thrown away owing to the muddling in high places.

Lord Haldane condemned the launching of such charges on inadequate information. Though the country, had been at a disadvantage in having to expand the -army in France, nevertheless it had evolved General Sts*lF work of the highest order. Lord Haldane said that the statement that reserves were riot forthcoming at Loos was' inaccurate. Reserves were ready in ample time. That they had not succeeded was a matter concerning the divisions themselves. , Lord Sydenham declared that there must have been some reason why a great ructory was not gained at Loos. A. reason had been assigned that it was due to poor Staff arrangement. Were two divisions engaged in the attack who had never before been under fire, and also were hungry and tired after a long march? The battle at Loos, he said, bore a striking resemblance to the story of Neuve Chapeile. Lord Crewe said the whole question of Loos was sub judice, as a military inquiry was in progress. Therefore lie was unable to discuss it.