BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

THE COMPULSION BILL. IRELAND'S EXCLUSION. MR. REDMOND'S FERVID ACTEAL. Received Jan. 18, 9.35 p,m. London, Jan. 17. In the House of Commons, in committee on the Compulsion Bill, Mr. J. Chambers (Unionist) moved that the Bill include Ireland, He said he was anxious to remove any stigma; the call came to every class in the Empire, and the exclusion of Ireland was a reproach and a disgrace. Colonel Craig asked the Nationalists to reconsider that Ireland could provide half a million soldiers.

. Mr. Bonar Law said that if any principle were involved there would be no justification for Ireland's exclusion, but the only purpose of the Bill was to get tlie necessary armies with the least friction and without a division of the nation. Ho did not believe it possible to apply the Bill to Ireland without a considerable amount of force, and he loathed the possibility of party strife in connection with the war. l: We perhaps have more than enough to do to fight the enemy," he said; "the time to-fight each other may come later." Sir E. .Carson said he desired Ireland's inclusion, but lie would not delay the Bill and weaken the country's position by pressing the amendment if the Nationalists would not comply. ■Mr. Redmond deplored the situation, but he knew conscription in Ireland was impracticable, unworkable, and impossible. Instead of increasing the army'it Would have the opposite effect, and would strengthen the contemptible minority of Nationalists who were consistently discouraging recruiting and undermining the Irish party. The War Office had asked Ireland for one thousand recruit j weekly, and recruiting was proceeding satisfactorily on that basis. Ireland's attitude was almost miraculous. Ninety-five thousand men had recruited since the war, making 151,143 Irishmen nov' in the army. Ireland stands today with the Empire, and the good effect was felt in every corner of the glolie. A large proportion of the Australian, Canadian, and South African soldiers w»re Irishmen, and the wave of enthusiasm among the Irish everywhere was of incalculable value- to the Empire, and this was especially so in America. Mr. Redmond urged the Government not to drive Ireland, and so lose strength arising out of the transformation of Irish opinion, Mr. Chambers' amendment wa3 negatived without a division. Mr. Bonar Law said the most terrible tragedy of the war was the sacrifice of eighteen-year-old officers. The necessity of getting adequate numbers prevented the Government accepting the amendment. The Government accepted an amendment for the exemption of those who were married before November 2. ANTI-COMPULSION MEETINGS.'

STORMY SCENES. London, Jan. 16. Lively anti-compulsion meetings have been held in the provinces. II)'. Outhwaite, lIP. (Liberal), who opposed the Bill, was severely heckled at Manchester. Mr. Anderson, M.P_ (Labor), another r.pponcnt, was shouted down at Sheffield. At a mass meeting of Crewe railwaymen, at which Messrs Wardle, M.'P. (Labor) and Bellamy spoke, there Vere constant interruptions, and a resolution against compulsion was defeated. The Scottish Trades Union Conference at Glasgow passed a resolution demanding the withdrawal of compulsion, WHERE COMMANDERS ARE. Reecived Jan. 18, 5.40 p.m. London, Jan. 17. In the House of Commons, in reply to further questions regarding the commanders in the Near East, Mr, Chamberlain said that General Nixon was still in Mesopotamia, and General Lake was expected to arrive there shortly. General Sir Archibald Murray had succeeded General Monro, and General Maxwell's force formed part of General Murray's command. The latest news of General Townshend's force was contained in todays' Turkish communique, stating that an intermittent artillery duel continues at Kut-pl-Amara, and that the Russians are now :>t Kermanslmh—2ofi iniles, partly desert, i 'orn Kut-el-Amara.

ALFM LORDS. NO TIME TO REMOVE THEM. Received Jan. IS, 5.40 p.m. London, Jan. 17. In. the House of Commons Mr. As-, quitti, with a view to dealing with more pressing matters, declined to legislate to remove the Dukes of Cumberland and Co-burg from the House of Lords. ESTIMATED LOSSES. RED CROSS FIGURES. Ceneva, Jan. 17. The Red Cross Society estimates the losses to June, 1915, as "follows: PrisonDead. Wounded, ers. Britain ISO.OOO 200,000 DO.OOO Germany 1.030,000 1,850,000 820,000 Austria 1,610.000 -1,865,000 910,000 Turkey 110,000 140,000 95,000 Figures for the other belligerents are incomplete. THE GERMAN BLOCKADE. LORD SYDENHAM'S PLAN. London, Jan. 17. Lord Sydenham, in an interview, favored allowing neutrals to receive normal imports plus a small percentage, then stretching a complete chain against goods over the allowance, on the presumption that they are intended for the enemy,