MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 February 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

SPEECH BY MR. ASQUITH. ULTIMATE VICTORY CERTAIN". GOVERNING PRINCIPLE OF EUROPEAN POLITICS. Received Feb. 2, 5.50 p.m. London, Fob. 1. Mr. Asquith, addressing the Liberal and Conservative delegates ut Ladybank, said that lie would not refer to the circumstances of his resignation, as public attention should not .lie distracted from the supreme topic—the prosecution of the war to a worthy ami decisive end, and to an honorable and stable peace. The Allies' resources had teen wisely urganised, and assured inevitable victory. The idea that the war would result in a stalemate was a mere dream. However, the fortunes of war might fluctuate, the balance, more and more favored the Allies. Ultimate victory was certain: but we must employ our utmost endeavors to accelerate the British blockade, which- was one of the greatest achievements in the annals of the Navy. The submarine menace was grave, but the naval measures and shipbuilding would counteract this useless waste. Germany's so-called peace overtures were transparently insincere, and were put forth with ulterior motives, but the Allies were 'bound to respectfully listen to them. President Wilson's Note amounted to a declaration of American ideals. His ideal of a World Peace League aroused our sympathies. British conception of the enthronement of public right as the governing ideal of European politics did not differ fundamentally therefrom. The Allies, in estimating the minimum peace requirements, must remember the dead, also the enemy's character and methods as revealed by the -war. Guarantees must, therefore, be tangible and solid. , - By a. victorious peace we mean peace in the interests of the social and moral welfare of humanity. We did not desire more, and could not accept less. We must) concentrate our resources for a decisive victory in the field as the precursor of an enduring peace.

RETENTION OF GERMAN COLONIES. DOMINION MINISTERS' VIEW'S. Received Feb. 2, 0.50 p.m. London, Fob. 1. Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward endorse Mr. Long's statement. They agree that New Zealand will never give up Samoa. Nevertheless, they express anxiety lest Germany may be playing off the Allies against each other in the peace negotiations, and. so secure ;an agitation from the Little Englanders for the return of her colonies. Mr. Massey emphasises the necessity for a strong Dominion attitude at the War Council.

NATIONAL SERVICE FOR WOMEN. A department established. London, February 1. Mr. Neville Chamberlain lias announced that a Women's Department of National Service has been, established, with Mrs. H. J. Tcnnant,as director, and Mrs, Violet) Markham assistant director. INAUGURATION OP NATIONAL SERVICE. Received Feb. 3, 12.50 a.m. London, Feb. 2. Messrs. Lloyd George, Chamberlain, and Hodge will inaugurate National Service at a public meeting at Westminster on February 6. PRICES FOR POTATOES. Received Feb. 2, 8.50 p.m. London, Feb. 1. The Press Bureau reports that the Food Controller has fixed the growers' maximum selling prico for the 1910 crop of potatoes at £8 per ton, for delivery in February, £9, March andApril, and £lO in May anil June. The maximum retail price is iixed at l'/ a d per lb. GERMAN IMPUDENCE. Berlin, January 31. The traffic of regular American passenger steamers will be allowed if they conform to certain stringent regulations that Germany provides. j. BRITISH CASUALTIES. I .jpfJHg'' 5 " r" London, Feb. 1. The Daily Telegraph states that British casualties published in January are:— Killed, 282 officers and 8049 men; wounded and missing, 074 officers and 24,155 men; prisoners, 5 officers and 100 men —a total of 33,805. The total was 40,604 in December, 71,791 in November, and 100,006 in October. ANZACS FORM IMPERIAL ESCORT. London, Feb. I. Parties of Australian and New Zealand mounted men will form the Imperial escort at the opening of Parlla* ment. TURKEY. MORE TURKISH CRUELTV. EXTERMINATING THE ARABS. London, January 31. Renter's Agency learns authoritatively -that the Turks are deliberately endeavoring to exterminate the Arabs similarly to the Armenians. A military cordon surrounded the whole of the Lebanon region, keeping out food, with the result bl'iA half the population died of hunger. The Turks have devastated Syria and Palestine, and deported numerous illustrious Avaib families, after hanging the leaders wholesale. Arab soldiers are sent to the worst) front, and those who escaped conscription, deportation or hsngiig j'ere forced to accommodate 'vpkua-strictom Ameaiwa,