BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1915, Page 5

BRITAIN.

BRITISH CASUALTIES. MORE THAN HALF A MILLION. London, Dec. : 2. In the House of Commons Mr. Asqiiith, ill reply to Mr. Molteno, *aid the total British casualties to November !) were as follows: — ON THE WEST FRONT. Ollicers. Men. Killed 40-20 (ill, 272 ' Wounded 11754 240,203 Missing 1553 1)4,540 MEDIT ERR AXE AX CAMPAIG N. Officers. Men. Killed ........ 1304 21,531 Wounded 2500 70,148 Missing 350 10,211 Casualties in the navy and other theatre of war bring the total to 510,230.

PROPOSED NATIONAL PARTY. SIR E. CARSON ANXOYED Received Dec. S, 8.5 p.m. London, Dec. 2. Sir E. Carson states that the reported formation of a Xational Party is entirely without foundation. He regards It as regrettable that he cannot converse in the House of Commons without evoking impertinent gossip.

THE WAR IN PARLIAMENT. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. HEAVY LOSSES AT LOOS. London, Dec. 2. In the Home of Commons Mr. Lynch asked Mr. Asquith if opportunity would be given for a debate on the military and diplomatic dispositions which had led to the present position in the Near East anil Dardanelles. Mr. Asquith said he would consider the matter, hut he would not give an undertaking. Replying to Mr. Leach, Mr. Tennant said the casualties in the vicinity of Loos during the last three months were 95,000. The Australian casualties at Gallipoli, excluding the New Zealanders, were 25,000. A FRAUDULENT FUND. FRENCH FLAG DAY. London, Dec. 2. A curious correspondence has been published relating to the fund called "The French Relief Fund," which raised £140,000 for the refief of civil victims of the war ill France and organised "French Flag Day" on July 14. The letters show that Sir John Simon, Messrs Churchill, Lloyd George, Chamberlain and Bonar Law, Lord Crewe and Lord Kitchener removed their names from the patrons' list. The police have since notified British newspapers that it is undesirable to advertise funds.

CLERGY AND THE WAR. PROSECUTION' OF A BISHOP WANTED. Times ami Sydney Sun Services. L6ndon, Dee. 2. In the House of Commons Mr. Snoxvclen requested the prosecution of the Bishop of Salisbury on a charge of threatening clergy who enlisted with tile loss of their livings. He asked whether Lord Derby was canvassing the clergy. Mr. Tennant, replying, said that he enlisted clergy, who had been put in the proper age groups. lie was not aware of the reported statements of church leaders. The War Office was not disposed to act against those who believed that clergymen and hearly qualified medical men test Served by remaining at home. THE WAR COUNCIL. London, Dec. 2. Lord Kitchener attended meetings of the War Council and Cabinet, ANOTHER SPY SHOT. London, Dec. 2. The Press Bureau says that a prisoner who was court-martialled and found guilty of espionage was shot this morning. CHRISTMAS FOR THE WOUNDED. Received Dec. 3, 0.5 p.m. London, Dec. 1. Lady Robinson and Lady Birdwood are providing Christmas gifts and entertainment for four hundred Australians and New Zealanders at King George's Hospital.' Madame Ada Crossley and Florence Schmidt are assisting.