MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 July 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

«-— ; —- r i THE MESOPOTAMIA TRIAL. INTENTIONS OP GOVERNMENT DOUBTFUL. Received July 15, 5.5 p.m. London, July 14. Tile debate has left the public in ignorance as to whether the Government has decided on a statutory commission relative to the Mesopotamia trial. Apparently the Government is unable to make up its mind whether a tribunal is necessary.

SOME STATESMANLIKE VIEWS. THE MOTION LAPSES. Australian Cable Association. Received July 15, 5,15 p.m. London, July 14. In the House of Commons, speaking in the Mesopotamia debate, Mr. Asquitli said it was clearly the general opinion of the House that it would be unjust to take disciplinary action upon the report. It would also be absurd to submit to any judges the question of whether statesmen or soldiers acted upon a miscalculation, ' The House of Commons was the only tribunal to say whether such men had forfeited its trust and deserved censure. He considered that Mr. Chamberlain's chivalrous resignation was uncalled for, and added that not a step in the war hn<l been more completely warranted by every relevant consideration of strategy, or more strongly fortified beforehand by the absolute concurrence of expert authority than the advance on Bagdad. In this decision he had no part, but when he learned fully the whole bearings of the question, he heartily approved. Regarding the telegram concerning fhr political advantage of the advance to Bagdad, it was a foul and wilful calumny, and he could only interpret it as meaning that the Government "was eager for an immediate success in order to restore its waning fortunes. The only political consideration for the advenes was the effect on the general situation, especially on the Turkish, Arab, Persian and Indian world. He partly defended General Nixon, and added that the manner in which the report concerning' the medical breakdown had been travested, perverted and exploited was one of the .most disgraceful incidents in history. It was a degradation of the press. Mr Lloyd George said he associated himself with the eloquent tributes paid to Mr. Chamberlain. Nothing in the report justified his resignation. Undoubtedly the report showed mismanagement, whereby thousands of gallant lives had been lost under .conditions of unspeakable torture. Either the system' or the individuals working it were to blame; perhaps both. If it were the individuals, they should be punished, but they were entitled to a fair judicial investigation. It would liavo been unfair had the Government acted upon the report. If the House desired a Statutory Committee ! of Enquiry the Government -was prepared to propose such a committee. It was indefensible that the House and the Government should be discussing such a matter, and he begged the House to rise above these things, and say to the Government: "Get on with the war."

1' Other members spoke, and the motion lapsed. In the House of Lords, Lord Lorebum blamed the Government for proceeding with the Mesopotamia expedition without full inquiry. There were no grounds for courtmartialling the military concerned. Regarding the eivil servants, if the Government did not think they should remain it could insist on their resignations. Ministers should shoulder the responsibility for those who were censured. Lord Curzon said the public had a right to know where the blame lay. The press hunt for victims had degenerated into a witch hunt. There wero many who Bhared the responsibility as to Mesopotamia. He believed the mistakes would have been avoided but for radically unsound 'svstem of the Indian military administration. UOEiD HAKDUvGiTD CRITICISED. Eeceived July IS, 5.15 p.m. London, July 14. Tn the House of Commons, during the Mesopotamia debate, Mir. dm 'Roberts said that Lord Hardinge had been unjustly censored for his (bold act of courage in facing a possible rising in India, the result revealing India's loyalty.

Mv. MacNeil considered that .Lord Kardinge's position at the Foreign Office was unconstitutional and improper. Moreover, while under the shadow of a grave accusation, Lord Hardinge was put in the position of a Daniel come to judgment over the Irish administration, yet his faults as compared with Mr Birrpll's.-.were as a mountain to a morsel of sand,

GERMAN AIMS AND ; J METHODS. f ~ " MR. PALFODRS DENUNWIAXIoif. '■ Received July IS, 5.5 p.m.' ,i London, July 14, J Mr. Balfour, speaking at tlie Gtiil|hall, in replying to an address presented by the City congratulating him on the Buccess of his visit to Amreica, declared that he ridiculed the .'prcposteroiis German attempt to persuMe" the world she was waging a defensive warfare. Sl(e would, he said, never he able in oar lifetime to throw off the load of hatred and disgust her aims and methods excited. He rejoiced that in the inevitable complications aild difficulties that were always present with us, we had the 'United States on our side.

Speaking at a subsequent entertainment at the Mansion House, Mr. Balfour said he hoped that when the Peace Conference met, the territorial delimitations of Europe would give more than temporary relief from the horrors of war, and make .peace permanent. A BY E-ELEOTEQX. Received July 1(5, 5.5 p.m. London, July 14. The South Monmouth bye-election resulted: Sir Garrod Thomas (Coalitionist) 6709, Mr. !B. Thomas Independent) 727, MR. BONiAiR LAiWS SUCCESSOR. " London, July 13. The " n iiiy Telegraph says it is exyeoted that Sir Edward Carson will succeed Mr. Bonar Law in the War Caibinat,