WHERE ARE THEY?

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 123, 25 May 1916, Page 5

WHERE ARE THEY?

BRITAIN’S FIVE MILLIONS. CHURCHILL WANTS TO KNOW. NOT IN TOUCH WITH GERMANS. PAYING FOR THE WAR. BRITAIN’S HELP TO ALLIES. LONDON, May 23. In the House of Commons to-day, Mr. Asquith, moving the Credit Vote of £300,000,000, said that he would content himself with discussing the financial interests of the country, not attempting a general review of the strategic situation. The expenditure during the past fifty days was £241,000,000, a higher daily average than at any previous consecutive period. The principal items were; Army, Navy, and munitions, £149,000,000; loans to Allies and the Dominions, £74,500,000; food supplies, railways, etc., £17,500,000.

Eliminating items really belonging to 1915, the daily average expenditure was somewhat below £4,600,000. Mr. Asquith emphasised that one of the contributions we were gladly making to the common cause was financial assistance to our Allies (cheers) without which it was literally true that great combined operations could not be prosecuted efficiently and with success. The balance still held on the last vote was sufficient until June 2, and the present vote until the first week in August. He was convinced that provision for the prosecution of the war would be made readily and generously with the same confidence in the justice of our cause, and the ultimate triumphant issue as in the case of previous votes.

Mr. Churchill said that it was unreasonable for. people to expect the war to turn decisively and suddenly in our favour, contending that the armies were far too evenly matched. At present we felt the stronger, for we •had a preponderance of men, but the enemy had the central position. [We had large reserves, actual and potential. Mr. Asquith had said that the Empire’s military strength was 5,000,000. Where were they? Certainly not in contact with the enemy. Mr. Churchill computed that fronting the British Army in all theatres there were only 900,000 Germans and Turks, and of these infantry and artillery numbered 500,000. If we had 5,000,000 it was evident that after every conceivable, deduction a large margin was not yet usefully applied to th e prosecution of the war.