The Daily News. SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 1915. A NOTABLE SPEECH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 270, 24 April 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 1915. A NOTABLE SPEECH.

T!ic remarkable scene in the British House of Commons in March last, and tiie still more remarkable speech made by the Premier, Mr. Asquith, will long remain in the memory of the vast and distinguished audience which listened, spellbound, to the matchless oratory of the foremost statesman of the day. The theme was one that thrilled and fascinated those present, and the report of that magnificent contribution to the burning question of the" day will go down to history as worthy of the best traditions of British statesmen. The tribute to the brave, unbroken spirit of the Belgians, the heroism of the Servians, and the tenacity and resource of France and Russia was as generous as tlie circumstances demanded, while his declaration of a complete blockade of German supplies was impressive and convincing. It was, however, his confidence in the future that struck home with the greatest effect. Referring to Germany, he demonstrated that though she might ward off starvation, she running short of ammunition, and that before long might be reduced to desperate straits in this connection, while her new formations of hastilytrained troops were defective from a military point of view. Her costly failure to crush the Russians, and then turn all her forces against the Allies in the west, was pointed out in a way that must have carried conviction, while his reference to the importance of opening tlis Dardanelles to enable Russia to receive military supplies and advance without misgiving, showed clearly that tlie net was being drawn more closely around the enemy. This was emphasised by his forecast of expected developments in the spring, when, it was considered by sound students of international politics that the Balkan States were bound to take action, Roumania being expected to come in as well as Greece ; an.; Italy. The fact that-Greece had been supplying Scrvia with ammunition, i -iiid thereby enabled that plucky State | to recover so marvellously from the Austrian onslaught goes to prove that the sympathies of the Greeks are a factor to be taken into account, and the preparations that Italy lias been making must also be taken as indicative of action as soon as that country is ready to strike. The trend of events since >IY. Asquith's speech was made have certainly been in the direction predicted. Al: negotiations between Austria and Italy have failed, and there is a portentous movement on foot to crush the power of Austria, and thereby hasten the end of the terrible struggle. In placing ;

tha situation so clearly and forcibly before the House of Commons and the people, Mr. Asquith did a great and useful service to the Empire. In common with all who are in sympathy with the Allies in their task of destroying for ever the re<i peril of the scientific Hun, Mr. Asquith's main concern is the speedy termination of the war. Of its ultimate success there is no shadow of doubt throughout his speech, but the sooner the struggle is over the better we shall be pleased. Hence the necessity for the utmost energy in the coming prosecution of the war, and the placing in the field of every available man equipped with an adequate supply of munitions to accomplish the object.