Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 35, 17 January 1916, Page 8

Great Britain

THE BLOCKADE QUESTION. PLAIN TALK TO AMERICA. [United Ppvss Association.] London, January 16. The blockade r.uestion continues to hold the field in the newspapers, and the demand for increased and mono vigorous action is daily growing stronger. An article in the Westminster Gazette that has attracted attention reminds neutrals that they are not losing by the war, and that they must remember we are driven to act by the enemy’s actions. We are in the middle of a struggle for the existence of all.

Newspapers allude to the threatened complication with America, and many fear that President Wilson will accept Germany’s bargain and insist on the relaxation of the blockade it submarine piracy is discontinued, but the Westminster Gazette reminds America that w© are abl© to defend ourselves.

The Pall Mall Gazette trusts that President Wilson will realise where his bargain is going to lead him. The British Empire is shedding its blood, not ink. and will not allow technicalities to hamper all legitimate weapons.

VON PAPEN’S PAPERS SEIZED BY THE BRITISH.

INCRIMINATING DOCUMENTS.

London, January 16

Greatly to Count von Papen’s disgust the authorities at Falmouth seized his paper*, which were not protected by the promise of safe conduct. The Associated Press at New York states that they include many compromising documents. His cheque book shows payments to th e dynamiter Horn and the spy Keuphefle, and a remittance to Seattle a fortnight before the explosion* there on 30th of May. i There was also a letter from Meysent-- j ■surg, the German Consul at New Orleans, saying, “There may be a day of reckoning. Come here and our Government will find again the iron determination wherewith alone one can make an impression on this country.” There was also a letter from Count Bernhardi, who complained that British newspapers had insulted him, and he hoped that the British interference with American trade would have its effect in America. THE COMPULSION BILL. London, January 14. The Railwaymcn’s Executive has carried a resolution urging labor to unitedly oppose compulsion, which will mean involving the confiscation of men’s lives and leaving the nation s material resources in the hands of privileged persons. The resolution added that the number of eligible unmarried men who have not attested is insufficient to affect the issue or the war, and Mr Asquith’s pledge without consulting the electors does not bind the manhood of the country. And unless the Government is prepared to j confiscate wealth we will resist the I confiscation of men to the utmost.

At the Miners’ Conference 653,190 votes were against compulsion, 38,100 in favor, and 25,249 neutral. The miners’ leaders realise that the conference vote is no criterion of the opinion of the men. The loaders are mostly in favor of a ballot to secure a plain yes-or-no on the all-important problem. WHEN ENGLAND HITS. Paris, January 14. M. Gustav Herve, in a significant article in Le Victoire, commenting on the English Compulsion Bill, says that when a few months hence England’s clenched fist descends on the skull of the German Colossus, Prussianism will be vanquished, but in the day of victory we will not fail to tell certain English Socialists and Laboritos that if we' are not beaten it has not been their fault. THE RECENT LABOR DECISION. BASSED ON MISUNDERSTANDING (Received 8.40 a.m.) London, January 16. Mr O’Grady (Labor M.P. for Leeds) savs he is convinced that when safeguards are embodied for Service under the Complsion Bill, the miners and railwaymen will reverse their recent dcision which was based on a misundrstanding of the facts of the position. SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE. London, January 15. The War Contingents Association I congratulated Sir Thomas Mackenzie on his recent honor. Lord Plunket, Sir James Mills, Mr Douglas McLean, and Mr Gilbert Anderson spoke of the thorough organisation of Sir T. Mackenzie’s office to meet war demands. Until Sir T. Mackenzie took over the Dominion trade and finance problems they wore frequently misunderstood. The speakers paid tributes to Lady Mackenzie’s kindness to the wounded soldiers. ARMY ORDER FOR TIMEEXPIREDSt (Received 8.40 a.m.) London, January 16.

An Army Order gives details of facilities enabling time-expired men to re-engage under certain conditions and complete twenty-one yeais service in view of a pension.

THE “TAKING-DOWN” PROCESS. COLONIAL SOLDIERS IN COURT. “NOT DRUGGED, BUT DRUNK.” (Received 8.40 a.in.) London, January 16. Australian soldiers charged with drunkenness and assaulting the police at Westminster, pleaded they had been drugged, and something should be done to protect Colonial soldiers. The Australian provost-marshall gave evidence that in a good many cases soldiers became senseless after having one or two drinks, and there were numerous robberies. The inspector of police said he did not believe that the j soldiers were drugged into insensibil'ity, and it was due to the raw spirits j which were purchased a bottle at a time. A POST-WAR PROBLEM. CARE OF DISABLED SOLDIERS. SETTLING THE LAND. i ~~ { Kee.cn ed S.-id u.m.) Loudon, January 16. One of the most important post-war problems, the care of disabled soldiers, is receiving attention in Britain. Among the schemes which Australasians particularly will watch is an experiment in training with a view to taking up land. The Government offers training in an agricultural college at Halmes’ Chapel, Cheshire, to disableds as the neucleus of a new campaign to increase small holdings. There has been severe shortage of labor, and as emigration lias depleted the number 'of farm hands, and this work took many more, the Government invited fifty disableds to apply for the experimental course. Fifteen have commenced their studies. The disablements include Hernia, gas poisoning, strained heart, diabetes, and loss of hand. The Government is likely to facilitate the studies of disabled Australians and New Zealanders, and in the event of any desiring to obtain preliminary scientific training, the Colonial Governments will possibly agree to pay the cost, which is twen-ty-five shillings weekly. It is even suggested that the War Contingent Associations will be glad of the opportunity for further usefulness for their funds.

THE PROGRESS OF RECRUITING. LORD DERBY’S ADVICE. (Received 8.40 a.rn.) , London ) January 16. The first week’s result of the recruiting at the Mansion House exceeds the Lord Mayor’s strongest expectations. Lord Derby, in a speech at Liverpool, strongly urged all eligibles who had hitherto held aloof to join while recruiting was still voluntary. He said he had done his utmost up to the eleventh hour and the fifty-ninth minute to make voluntaryism a success. THE FORDITES homewardbound. (Received 8.5 a.rn.) Amsterdam, January 15. The Fordites have left for America. SIR GEORGE REID, C.C.B. (Received B.*io a.rn.) Loudon, January 16. The investiture by the King included Sir George Reid with the Grand Cross of the Bath.