Second Edition Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 60, 15 June 1916, Page 6

Second Edition Great Britain

THE PREMIERS SPEECH. [United Press Association.] (Received 12.45 p.m.) London, June 14. ~Mr- Asquith, continuing his speech; said:— f ' By co-operation among the general staff, all the Allies are becoming monthly more intimate and more complete. I cannot over-emphasise the fact that the war is not merely w struggle of armies, hut also of material and economic resources. The latter may well be the deciding factors m the long run. He paid a tribute to the Navy s continuous and unceasing vigilance and the.effectiveness of the blockade The enemv's rashness on the 31st allowed the world to see another more stirring and more dramatic aspect of the Navy's qualities. The action was worthy of the Navy's best and most treasured traditions. The enemy wee driven back to their ports, and tntj made no effort to grapple with the main' body of our fleet, yet th»y had the temerity to claim as a victory what was really a rout. With a coii- '; pie or three more such victories, nothing would be left of the Carman Navv worth noticing. The crucial question was the effect upon o-r sea command, which had not been unpaired, but was more firmly and unshakeably established. 1 The t recent deplorable noting m Ireland, leading to the cruel loss ut many innocent lives, had created a situation which the majority of responsible Irishmen of all partns r*>liscd demanded a settlement. The history of the Anglo-Irish relations m the past exhibited a tragic senes of V missed and misused opportunities. "Let us not add another," said Mr Asquith. "The desire exists for an immediate provisional settlement, and after the war we will take stock cf our internal relations. Xece;s:mly, the fabric of Empire will then be refashioned, and the Anglo-Irish and Anglo-Dominion relations will be brought in close connected review." He commended that view to his countrymen in Britain and Ireland. He had spent a week conversing with all sorts of men-judges, bishops, Sinn Feiners—and every Irishman approached admitted the folly of the, inopportune rising, but.it was.greater folly to contemplate a renewal of civil strife after the war. History had not disclosed more moving spectacles than the eager loyalty and unsparingdevotion with which all parts of the Empire rallied to the Mother Country. It was never possible with such an - Imperial record to revert to old methods of government. Concluding, Mr Asquith said: "It has fallen upon me to carry a heavier burden of care and responsibility than any of my fellow-subjects, but it has been a source of unfailing satisfaction to know that I was sustained by the confidence and sympathy of those whom I am striving to serve."

hIOFFRE'S TASK AT VERDUN. BRITISH ASSISTANCE OFFERED. (Keceived 1.20 p.m.) London, June 14. In his speech, Mr Asquith stated that British assistance had been offered to General Joffre. Sound strategy would\lictate all the steps to be taken and every action would receive concerted consideration.