CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1915, Page 5

CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

REORGANISATION OP GENERAL STAFF. THE COMMAND IN THE WEST. Received Nov. 25, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 24. In the House of Commons, Mr. Asquith said that steps had .been taken, by addjtions and redistribution, to increase the effectiveness of the General Staff, but it was undesirable to give particulars. It was not considered advisable'to place the Anglo-French forces in the West under a supreme commander, but the Government would not hesitate to adopt the most effective measures. He would impress upon the community the need for most rigid economy, add lie had every reason to hope that it would not be necessary to legislate In order to obtain sufficient recruits. WAR AS A PEEPSHOW. JEER'S PERSONAL EXPLANATION. Received Nov. 25, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 24. fit the House of Lords, Lord St. Davids, made a personal explanation. The ladies he referred to as visitors to Headquarters were above reproach, but he did not consider it decent to regard war as a sort of peepshow, and deprecated people reading in the speech what he had not meant. Lord Crewe said that he was glad Lord St. Davids had qualified his speech. He had only himself to blame if haish .things bad been said anent it.

. INDISCREET PEERS, . TAKEN SEVERELY TO TASK. London, Nov. 24. Lord Derby, addressing members of the Stock Exchange, said he disliked to think the House of Lords needed a censor, but two speeches ought to have been censored. He could give the lie direct to Lord St. David's accusations, and* sum up the speech in the few words: "No gentleman would have said it; no gentleman will believe it." Referring to Lord Ribblesdale's speech lie said: "The man who gives information to the enemy goe3 by an ugly name. The name should be given just as much to a speech delivered in the House of Lords as to a man risking his life to get information for the enemy. We have a right to ask Lord Ribblesdale where he got the information which he said was common knowledge. I am in the War Office and do not know it, but I think you will find people who do." IRELAND AND CONSCRIPTION. London, Nov. 24. In trie House of Commons, Mr. Byrne, 'requesting Ireland's exemption in the event of conscription, declared that ft would be resisted by drilled and armed forces. Mr. Asquitli deprecated threats and said he could not enlarge on his previous statements.