The Taihape Daily Times. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1917. AN AWESOME INDICTMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, 30 November 1917, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1917. AN AWESOME INDICTMENT.

(With which is incorporated The Taihape Poet and Waimarlno News).

The bitterness and barbarity displayed in. this great war has to some extent rendered our feelings immune from shock at the cruelty and wholesale slaughter of human life which it in volves, but we arc occasionally straightened up and called to our senses by plain statements about what is permitted to continue that unnecessarily prolongs destruction of blood and treasure. Lord Northcliffe has levelled an awful charge against British conduct of the war. He says that there arc still British Ministers of the Crown dallying with the questions of war control, the eradication of sedition, mobilisation of the whole man and woman power, and compulsory rations. Certain departments in. London are still pursuing a policy of obstruction; the censorship is being misused: men in authority who should have been punished have been promoted, Recent history compels the admission of the truth of all these accusations. In spite of the seriously threatening shortage of food, the old conservative clement and pacifists oppose rationing the nation, and otherwise leading Britain’s Allies to assume that interested people arA at work prolonging the war, by engaging Britain in political strife so that they can continue their million; making. It is a:i appalling situation to consider mentally even, but when an indictment such as that published yesterday, from Lord Northcliffe, written to the Prime Minister of England, is levelled at Britain, one is staggered with the thought of it. From countless conversations with leading Americans Lord Northcliffe knows that, “unless there is a swift improvement in our methods the United States will take into its own hands the entire management of its great part in the war.” and let us note, “the United States will not sacrifice blood and treasure t° un incompetent handling of affairs in Europe.” We scarcely realise the terrible nature of the indictment against British politicians, made to the Hoad of the British Government; can wo question its truth? Time after time the efforts of those who would piu the whole strength of the Empire into the prosecution of the war have

boon frustrated after acrimonious wranglings and weeks of the time of Parliament have been worse than wasted. Italy, France aim also Russia have accused Britain of having traitors in her camp, equally with themselves, and while they arc engaged unearthing theirs and bringing to them that justice their treachery fully merits, Britain is keeping enemy spies in its service, and is promoting them to higher positions. Now Britain has another 'Ally to deal with, who is strong enough to tell Britis- politicians that unless there is swift improvement the management will be taken out of her hands. Will our generals at the front fall into line with the new order if occasion arises for it being put into practice, or will they continue to allow the armies gathered from all parts of the Empire to remain the shuttlecock of the politicians? Britons are holding their breath in horror at Russian and Italian defection, and at the discovery of traitors in the pay of Germany in Italian and French Governments, but British hands clean? Our Allies say they are not, and now we are faced with a statement from the greatest man-journalist in Britain that unless our conduct of the war is swiftly im- ■ proved, a serious clash with an Allly that is absolutely indispensable in winning the war, will result. Britain ’’-s War Cabinet appointed a Food Controller, Lord Devonport, ~at his meatless days and everything else he did was subjected to the bitterest criticism. Last May he was compelled to withdraw most important features of his food control, and in June he fully realised the hoplessness and thanklessncss of his position, and he resigned. France and Italy were angered, for while British politicians would not consent to a meatless day, the French people were reduced to eating whatever horse-flesh they could get. While it was unlawful to sell meat in France on all Mondays and Tuesdays, horse-flesh could be sold whenever it was .attainable, most people will realise what that means. All the charges made by Lord Northcliffe to Mr. Lloyd George, are similarly well founded. The Storys that Germany has been impressing upon Britain’s Allies, and which has largely been the cause of Allied defection, is not without a basis of truth, and Lord Northcliffe tolls Britain that unless matters swiftly improve, she will have no voice in the American munition, money, gun and men supply, and the conduct of the United States’ part in the war will bo entirely taken out of British control. “The United States will not sacrifice blood and treasure to incompetent handling of affairs in Europe.