CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 November 1915, Page 5

CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

AT THE LORD MAYOR'S 9ANQUET. NOTABLE SPEECHES. &R. ASQUirare ORATION. M. CAMBON'S VIEWS. .CENTRAL POWERS' ADVANTAGES. IHE CRIME OF GENEROSITY. Received Nov. 10, 7.15 p.m. London, Nov. 9. At the Lord Mayor's banquet, M. C&mbon (French Foreign Minister), in replying to the toast of "The Alliee," referred to tie murder of Miss Cavell for the crime of generosity. Such an odious 6ct had fortified the Allies in their resolution. Germany is only sensible to brute force, tad when she finds her scheme of world domination broken down ahe will be a. prey to a moral depression that will cause her sudden fall. Mr, Sheriff G. A. Tonche, M.P., proposed the toast of "The Imperial Forces.'' Mr. A. J. Balfour, in responding, said that the Central Powers had two immense advantages, apart from the unity 0. control. These were, ample preparation and interior lines of communication.' These would have been absolutely overwhelming, but for the security given by the fleet. On that alone had the successes which hai already blessed our army been built up. KITCHENERS' ARMIES. Received Nov. 10, 8.6 p.m. . London, Nov. 10. Mr. Balfour was superfluous in his J>ratae of the armies the genius of Lord Kitchener had raised. They were, he Mid, daily adding to their laurels 'and numbers. What they had done was a small earnest of what they were predestined to accomplish. Regarding the future, Mr. Balfour said lie declined to assume the character of a prophet. Perhaps when an historian looks back on the war he will be inclined to say thai there was no moment when the calculations of the Central Powers had been near accomplishment. The first spring, which might have been fatal, had been utterly foiled. It was many months since our enemies in the West had claimed anything like success, and it was two months since the temporary advance into Rusia had reached its high water waric. There now appears to be « pause. THE TIDE TURNS. This means, said Mr. Balfour, that the tide of the enemy's successes has reached the limit, and they have to look forward to the ebb, fast or slow, but an ebb all the same. The Bulgarians' betrayal of all their nation's traditoins was a triupmph for German diplomacy. The Bulgarian rulers were animated simply by motives of greed and fear, and no diplomacy of the Allies could have outweighted the simple fact that these rulers thought that Germany and Austria were the horses they should back. Some day they will regret their miscalculation. PRESS CRITICISM. In one respect Britain was blameworthy. A section of the press forgets that articles published are read far beyond the limits of these Islands by people who are unaccustomed to our modes of thought and ways of treating .national emergencies. Wc always take a gloomy joy in self-depreciation, but domestic criticism, which is circulated in Germany and in neutral countries, is apt to prove that we are dangerously misusing the powers of the press. If public utterances raise up new enemies the outpouring of blood will be increased, the sacrifice of the war will be extended, and they will add to the strength of our enemies which all our victories make hard to overcome.

WHEN WILL THE WAR END?

fl cannot tell," continued Mr. Balfour, "whether the war will be short or long; whether it will be decided in the East, West, or South, but seeing that the Allies' strength is growing daily the strain put on our enemies is becoming intolerable, and I feel that we are entitled to look forward with serene confidence to the fruit of our labors, wherein the noble socrificea of our army and navy will ffnd immortal reward." MR. ASQUITH IX REPLY. A DIGNIFIED ORATION. The Lord Mayor proposed the toast pf "Mis Majesty's Ministers." Mr. Asquith, in reply, said: "We as a people have been transformed and brought together. The scattered threads of our varied activities have gradually but thoroughly been woven to a degree unknown before into a single web. Our Whole life has taken on a new sober color under the subduing consciousness of great issues and in the overthrowing

presence of sorrow. We are confronted with a great searching test a year ago, and chose the harder but the better course. We staked everything upon our choice, and I am still sure wc chose rightly and we shall win." THE CENSORSHIP. Referring to the censorship, Mr. Asquith said it was ridiculous to travesty a noble watchword and talk of the freedom of the press in connection with the action the Government had taken with reference to The Globe. LORD KITCHENER'S MISSION. 'Referring to Lord Kitchener's mission ) Mr. Asquith said the result of the Cabinet's decision were made known on Thursday. Lord Kitchener, when in Paris, engaged in a fruitful consultation with the new French Government, and thence proceeded on his misison. Amid prolonger laughtar, Mr. Asquith said he had no doubt he would be acensed of hoodwinking the nation, but he declined to mention the destination to where Lord Kitchener has gone. He added: "We hope and trust that he will only be a very short time gone to survey at close quarters the whole situation in the Eastern theatre of the war. He carries the complete confidence of the Allies and our own countrymen; he takes the authority of a great soldier and administrator; and has the special facilities of insight and judgement which he derives from his unrivalled knowledges and eiperience of the Near East. THE SERBIAN SITUATION. Reviewing the situation in Serbia, Mr. Asquith said that all people were watching with sympathy the gallant struggle of an army and people who were upholding their national independence and the permanent interests of the Balkan peoples. Despite the shortsighted hostility of one of their neighbours, and the lamentable hesitations of another. There had been a plentiful crop of criticism regarding the Allies' diplomacy and strategy, but when the time comes for a full disclosure of the conditions the statesmen and Generals of the Allied Powers »will have 110 reason to shrink from the verdict of an impartial tribunal. "Whatever the mistakes and shortcomings of France, Russia, Italy and'ourselves we are resolutely determined to secure for Serbia the future her heroism and sacrifices have so well deserved."

STAND OR FALL TOGETHER. After paying a tribute to the Italian rmv, Mr. Asquith emphasised the unity