CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1915, Page 5

CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

SIR E. GREY'S STATEMENT. ON THE BALKANS PROBLEM. A COLORLESS PRONOUNCEMENT. London, Oct. 14. In the House of Commons Mr. Asquith declined to allow the House to discuss the situation in the Balkans.

When Sir Edward Grey rose to inaJie an official statement he was loudly cheered. He said he did not propose to deal with the military problems, but to confine himself to the object of the present diplomatic policy in the Near East. He was aware that there had been many criticisms recently, but ho did not desire to reply, not because there was no answer, but , because the situation was most delicate.

The Allies, at the beginning of the war, were desirous that the war should not extend to the Near East. Turkey was assured that, if she remained neutral, the Entente would see that she did not suffer loss of territory. IWTien Turkey entered, the efforts of the Allies were concentrated 011 securing a Balkan agreement, and they sought to obtain concessions for Bulgaria if she took the side of the Allies. The Allies' relations with Roumania were friendly. She Was favorable to the policy of promoting an agreement in the Balkans. The policy of encouraging divisions and embittering existing antipathies was infinitely easier than the policy of reconciliation. The Allies throughout the war had given Serbia all possible help, freely and unconditionally. When the Allies were unable to send troops last winter Serbia drove out her enemies after fights which were among the most remaTkahle incidents of the war. Sert>ia was meeting the new crisis with the same splendid courage, but the entry of Bulgaria made a great difference. It was obvious that the interests of Greece and Serbia were one in the long run. They stood or fell together. Only through Greek territory could assistance be given to Serbia. I

Desiring to give Serbia all the help possible, France and Britain had sent all the troops immediately available to Salonika. We were acting in close cooperation with the French. The assistance of Russian troops was promised as soon as they could be made available.

It was impossible to disclose the plans, but the military authorities arc constantly consulting ae to the best methods of meeting the situation. He believed these wero based on the principles of sound strategy. Serbia was fighting an intense and acute struggle for her national existence, but all of us were fighting for the same issue. Everywhere it was a fight for the right to live away from the shadow of Prussian militarism, which had not observed the ordinary rules of humanity in war and offered the menace of oppression in peace. (Loud cheers.) The House of Commons was crowded, anticipating an epoch-making pronouncement. Members listened to Sir E. Grey's colorless statement in silence, which wa9 only broken by loud cheers when he paid a tribute to the Serbians' courage against the menace of Prussian militarism.

IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS, j NO INFORMATION. DARDANELLES CAMPAIGN CRITICISED. London, Oct. 14. In the House of Lords, Lord Crewe made a similar statement to Sir Edward Grey's. He deprecated a debate, but nevertheless Lord Morley expressed the opinion that, in view of the campaigns in France and at the Dardanelles, and the dispersing of forces, it was overmuch to embark on a new campaign.

Lord Milner said that the information conveyed in Sir Edward Grey's and Lord Crewe's speeches was less than any intelligent student of foreign affair* could give. He suggested the withdrawal of the troops at Gallipoil. Lord Lausdowne, replying, refused to make a statement about the Dardanelles, and said that it would be unpatriotic to force the Government to a fuller disclosure. He added that the attitude of Greece was still not fully defined.

Lord Ribblesdale said that now a situation had arisen in the Balkans, whereby the Government, with dignity, might get out of the unfortunate adventure at the Dardanelles.

After Lord Crewe had again deprecated discussion the debate closed, i STRAIGHT SPEAKING. Received Oct. 16, 12.4S a.m. London, Oct. 15. Lord Milner stated: Whatever evils resulted from the disastrous Dardanelles situation, the Balkan developments gave an opportunity, which might not recur, for withdrawing from the Dardanelles enterprise, a successful completion of which was now hopeless. lie did not want to press the Government for reasons, hut he had heard statements that an abandonment would have a had effect on our prestige in the East. He could not help thinking whether it would not have a worse effect i{ persisted in, and the enterprise ended in complete disaster. He felt that we had gone on too long living from hand to mouth in regard to our policy and strategy. Our diplomacy in the Balkans, starting as it did with a clean record, was profoundly disappointing when we found States we had befriended drifting to the control of States whom the Balkans hitherto regarded with suspicion.

CONSCRIPTION. LOOMING NEAR. Received Oct. 15, 10.55 p.m. London, Oct. 15. The Daily News says that there is little doubt that Lord Kitchener's sympathies are now definitely on the side of conscription, and adds: Probably there will be a renewed attempt at next Cabinet meeting bv the section led by Lord Curzon and Mr. Churchill to secure a decision on the question.