News From England

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 295, 22 May 1915, Page 5

News From England

THE GUILDHALL MEETING. THE WORTHY SONS OF EMPIRE. A UNITED EMPIRE. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) Received May 21, 5.35 p.m. London, Ma" 20. Speaking at tbc Guildhall, Mr. Asquith said .the Australasians at Gallipoli al.owed themselves worthy sons of the Empire. We were gathering in the hour ot trial the fruits of a wise and farsighted Imperial policy. Mr. Bonar Law, referring to the political changes, said that any combinations were worse than useless except aa a means of organising the nation top »nd bottom for the purpose of ending the war. Germany did not understand tile moral forces upon \wiich the British .Empire rested. This was the greatest and bloodiest war in historv, and upon the enemy's part it was the most savage. We must sec it through. He did noi, look beyond the war, but hoped the Empire would gain something more. It was right for Germany to single out the British Empire as the chief object of iatred, because Germany was the antithesis of everything the Empire stood for. The Australasians had shed blood like water carrying out their duties with Bkill, courage and tenacity, in circumstances of appalling difficulties, and #*eir services were unsurpassed. Lord Crewe said the meeting had giv«n a message to Germany which womd thrill jtb.e whole Empire. Mr. iHarcourt expressed his appreciation, admiration and gratitude at the .—sacrifices of the dominions. His department was the clearing-house for the patriotism and generosity of the Empire. Germany had not sought in vain for a .consolidated British Empire.

T NATIONAL MINISTRY. STOIGE FOR THE DOMINIONS. ' : ARRANGING THE CABINET. \ ~ london, May 20. 'A dozen of the party leaders on (both •aides of the House, met and Mr. Asfjuith arranged a coalition Cabinet. Nothing has been disclosed. In the event of the formation of a .National War Council representing all parties it will practically be an ■enlargeiment of the Imperial Defence Committee. It is considered in colonial circles to be an opportune moment to give the dominions a direct voice in the conduct of the war and the subsequent peace nego.fiations. LABOR REPRESENTATION.

NEWSPAPER. FORECASTS. Received May 21, 10 p.m. London, May 21. It is stated that Mr. Arthur Henderson joins the Cabinet as the Labor representative, while Mr. William Brace arfd . another Laboritc have been appointed to minor posts. The Pall Mall Gazette says Hercules is not quite so youngs as he was, ana the events that hare been heaped on -Lord Kitchener's shoulders a supcrwapoleon could not sustain. The problem of providing material involves the handling of democracy;, and a soldier cannot solve this. The Daily News declares that the reyConstruction has no practical meaning except as a concession to the press. It ■ refers to Lord Northcliffe, owner of the Times, Daily Mail, and other newspapers, ;a9 England's dictator.

' The Pall Mall Gazette demands a 'thorough' reconstruction, 'which will end the muddle and lethargy- in some directions and the friction and tension in : others. It suggests Mr. Churchill should 'me made Secretary for Indja, and Mr. Austen Chamberlain Minister for the Colonies. Mr. Lloyd George's right place, if we are to have shells, shells, shells, is at the head of the new office which ought to be created to minister supplies. If Lord Kitchener goes to the front, then Mr. Lloyd George should he full Minister ' of War.'

IRISH REMAIN OUT. ■ OPPOSITION TO MR. CHURCHILL. Beceived May 22, 12.50 a.m. London, May 21. The Daily News says efforts to induce ; the Irish Nationalist Party to join the coalition Government have definitely failed Tlie Liberal and Unionist leaders hav> arranged for 'Ministers to be cho«en by proportionate representation in the House of Commons. Strong hostility has developed in the Liberal Party against the' inclusion of Mr. Churchill.

J THE CONSCRIPTION QUESTION. RESOURCES OF THE COUNTRY. (Times and .Sydney Sun Services.) Received May 21, ,'>.zr> p.m. London, May 20. In the House of Commons Lord Lonsdale asked what -action the Government was taking in regard to the murder of British prisoners by Prince Ruppreeht. Sir Edward Grey replied that a successful prosecution of the war was the most effective action. Sir H. Craik asked if the Government would apply a scheme of disciplined organisation to the full resources of the country, utilising each citizen in the public interest. Mr. Lloyd George said t'le Government would take every step necessary for the effective organisation of the military and industrial resources. Air. Tennant, replying, said he was not authorised to announce a definite policy, 'but he promised to report to Lord Kitchener the opinions expressed and see whether it was desirable to inaugurate a policy of conscription. He lioneitly believed the country was reluctant to embark on conscription. CONSUMPTION OF MEAT. Received May 21, 4.20 p.m. London, Hay 20. The Board of Trade draws public attention to the importance of restricting the consumption of meat, in order to economise national supplies and prevent an excessive increase in price.

BELGIAN RELIEF. GENERAL ENGLISH ITIi.-.:. London, May 20. At a meeting of the Belgian National Committee of Relief Mr. A. Shirley Beim, M.P., explained the committee's work. Australasia had made a magnificent response and the Empire might we'll be proud. However, he said, he desired to allay the fears that the Germans wen, receiving any of the foodstuffs taken in barges under the American flag. One hundred and twenty warehouse* had distributed food to 32,000 communities, and it was possible to account for the destination of every ton brought in. The Germans had scrupulously adhered to- the agreement not to interfere with the committee. As it was desired to avoid all humiliating charity they required all able-bodied people to work for their bread, lilt- ->er cent, of the population of Louvain, Malines, and other industrial centres were dependent upon charity. As the result of efforts, and despite the economic paralysis ol Belgium t'.ierc had been no starvation. Madame Van der Vclde, wife of the Premier, said that the Belgians had not lost their souls. She had just learned that 800 postmen at Brussels had refused to work for the Germans, and that there were no railwaymen working. Seven hundred and forty thousand nun were idle and penniless, preferring poverty to working for murderers. The bodies containing those steadfast souls must be kept alive.

The King and Lord Kitchener visited the Elswick works, Newcastlc-on-Tyiic, and had a great reception from the workmen,

Mr. Lloy(d George, in the House ol Commons, stated that two millions were employed in the manufacture of Government war munitions.

The Engineers' Society refused to allow the Glasgow Armament Committee to employ clerks, other than those unemployed, for shcll-maliing. In the House of Commons, in reply to a question, Mr. Tennant said that the Times' statement regarding the shortage of munitions was not presented to the Press Bureau in London. The Times comments that this is demonstrably false. Tlie original telegram, with delations marked by the censor in red ink, was passed for publication. The (iermau spy, Kviepferle, committed suicide by hanging himself with a scarf to » ventilator in the Brixton prison. He left a message on a slate: ''l am a soldier, with rank which I do not desire to mention. I had a fair trial, 'hut am unable to stand the; strain any lunger. I would have preferred to lie shot, but do not wish to ascend the scaffold." A Masonic sign followed these words. The letter concluded: "1 cannot lie a liar and a perjurer. 1 am not living as a spy, hut as a soldier. What'l have done 1 have done for my country."