MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 April 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE HURRICANE GATHERING. FATE OF WORLD. HANGS ON ALLIES' SUCCESS. GREAT SPEECH BY LLOYD GEORGE EXTREME SACRIFICES NEEDED

IMPOSSIBLE TO QMIT IRELAND. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Neuter. Received April 10, 5 5 p.m. London, April !), In the House of Commons there was intense interest in the Premier's speech The House was crowded, but there was an entire absence of excitement. Mr. Lloyd George said we had now entered on the most critical stage of the war. The present lull meant that the hurricane was gathering strength for a fiercer outbreak, and before it was finally exhausted there would be many more- The fate of the Empire, of Europe and of liberty throughout the world might depend on the success with which the very last of these attacks was countered.

Mr. Lloyd George announced that it was impossible to omit Ireland from conscription in view of the emergency. The Irish Convention report was adopted only by a majority, therefore the Government had been obliged to take the responsibility of settling Home Rule. Mr. Lloyd George said the Turkish armies in Palestine and Mesopotamia Wad been destroyed. WEATHERING THE STORM.

The Government, he continued, proposed to. submit recommendations to assist the country and the Allies to weather the storm. The recommendations would involve extreme sacrifices by large classes of the population. Nothing would justify them but the most, extreme necessity and the fact that we are fighting for all that is essential and sacred in national life-

Explaining why Parliament had not been summoned earlier since the battle began, he said the Government was engaged almost hourly in concert with their allies, providing the necessary measures to assist the armies to deal with the emergency. Dealintr with the military position, ho pointed out that it was difficult to get a clear and reliable narrative of a battle extending over fifty miles. The Stall' and Generals were naturally engaged in concentrating their attention on the operations of the enemy. Until that strain was relaxed it would be difficult to ascertain exactly what had happened. ». THE ALLIES' STRENGTH. ' GREATER THAN THE ENEMY'S. Referring to the position at the beginning of the battle, he said that deepite the heavy casualties in 1917 the British army in France was considerably stronger on January 1 of this year than on January 1 of the previous year. To October or November of 1917 the German combatant strength in France was as two to the Allied three. Then came the collapse of Russia, and the Germans hurried up the released divisions from the East. They also had a certain measure of Austrian support, but notwithstanding this, and also notwithstanding the considerable number of German divisions from the East, when the battle began the combatant strength of the German army in the West was not quite equal to the total strength of the Allies. The Germans were slightly inferior in infantry, inferior in artillery, considerably inferior in cavalry, and undoubtedly inferior in aircraft. The Germans, however, had one or two great advantages. As attackers they knew when and where they meant to strike. It was always difficult to tell when an attack was coming-

A REMARKABLE FORECAST. The problem was closely considered by the military staff at Versailles,, and General Sir A- Wilson concluded the attack was coming south of Arras on a very wide front, with approximately ninety-five divisions, the object being to break through the British lines. These conclusions were reached two or three months ago. It was one of the most remarkable forecasts of the enemy's intentions ever made. Sir A. Wilson also remarked that the attack would probably succeed to the extent of penetrating the British line to half the distance of the front attacked.

Anchor advantage the Germans possessed was unity of command, and the dry and misty weather also 'helped them. They were actually within a few yards of the front line in some parts before they were observed. A VERY CRITICAL TIME. Reviewing the various phases of the battle, he said that at one time things were undoubtedly very critical, namely, when the enemy broke through between the Third and Fifth Armies. The situation was only retrieved by the magnificent conduct of the troops in frustrating the enemy's purpose. The country could not sufficiently thank them for their superb valor and the grim tenacity wherewith they faced the overwhelming hordes and clung to positions. Once more the cool pluck of the British soldier, who refuses to acknowledge defeat, had saved Europe. His remarks covered all ranks, generals, officers-, and soldiers. He drew no distinctions. It would take a long time to name all the generals who had distinguished themselvesGENERAL GOUGH SUSPENDED. Until all the circumstances which led to the retirement of the Fifth Army were known, until its failure to hold thp line on the Somme, leastwise until the Germans brought up their guns, and, pertap3, the failure to adequately destroy the bridges, were expb»* it' v»Urf be unfair to

Gougli, but until the circumstances were cleared up it would be equally unfair to the British Army to retain iiis services in the field. The War Cabinet, therefore, had thought it necessary to recall him until the facts were examined and laid before the Government by its military advisers. THE ENEMY'S INITIAL SUCCESS.

The enemy undoubtedly had gained a great initial success—it was no use not accepting the facts—but he failed so far as his main object was concerned. We should be guilty of a great and fatal error if we undarestimateu the gravity of the prospect. The enemy was much too near Amiens for comfort or security, and he had succeeded for the time being in compelling one of our great armies to retire. The Cabinet took every step to hurry up reinforcements. Never had such large numbers of men crossed the Channel in such a short time. Mr. Lloyd George paid a tribute, to the speed wherewith the French reserves had arrived and the loyal assistance they gave the British. The position had momentarily beeu established, but it was clear the Germans were preparing another, perhaps an even greater, attack. EXAGGERATED CLAIMS. ' The enemy's claims as to capture of guns and prisoners were greatly .exaggerated. We were not able to replace the guns, but we had a very substantial reserve, and also great reserves of ammunition here and in France. The same applied to aircraft. He was confident our armies—generals and soldiers—were quite ready for the next encounter-

Ho referred to the material and dramatic assistance of the Americans- The Allies had looked forward to a large American army in France in tlie spring, but it had taken longer than anticipated to train the soldiers. If America wanted to complete her divisions it would be impossible for her to find troops in large number to participate in this battle of the campaign, although it might he the decisive battle of the war Certain proposals, therefore, were submitted to Mr. Baker and President Wilson, as the result nf which American troops were available, to be brigaded with Allied troops. Their fighting strength was immediately brought to bear on the struggle.

UNITY OF CONTROL. The Premier deprecated discussion of the question of the Versailles Council, but declared the battle justified the wisdom of that policy. After the battle commenced, it was not merely a government, but a commander's field, He was so convinced of the importance of a more complete strategical unity that he agreed to the appointment of General Foch to have supreme direction of strategy of all the Allied armies on the West front. General Foeh was one of. the most brilliant soldiers in Europe. When we were in a similar plight during the first battle of Ypres, General Foeh rushed a French army there by every conceivable expedient, and undoubtedly helped to win that battle. The Premier urged the nation at home to stand united for united control of the strategical operations of our armies on the front. "We are fishting/' he continued, "a very powerful foe, whose successes have been mainly due to the superior unison of bis strategic plans." NO DISSIPATION OF OUR FORCES. The Premier ridiculed the suggestion that our forces had been dissipated by subsidiary enterprises. Not a single division had been sent from France eastward- As regards Italy, but for the presence of the French and British divisions there the Austrian? would presently have been free to throw the whole of their strength on the Western frontThe Salonika forces had been reduced by two divisions. There was only one white division in Mesopotamia. In Egypt and Palestine together there were only three white divisions; the remainder were either Indian or mixed,

He asked the House to consider what this meant. There was the menace to our eastern Empire through Persia and Arghanistar. to India. INDIA'S MAGNIFICENT HELP. The Premier expressed great gratitude to India for the magnificent way she had come to the help of the Empire in this emergency. It was not the fact that we had three divisions in Egvpt and Pales, tine and one in Mesopotamia that enabled us to hold our own. We owed it to the splendid troops of India, -who were more than a match for the Turks. On the many stricken fields the casualties could not yet be accurately statedj but Sir Douglas Haig had assured him that the German claims were quite impossible. The losses, olj course ; had been considerable. PROLONGED RATTLES LIKELY. The enemy had definitely decided to seek a military decision this year, whatever the consequence for himself. This meant prolonged battles. There were still seven or eight months iu which the fight could continue. Everything depended upon keeping our strength right to the end- Wo could do it with American aid, but even then we could not feel secure unless we were prepared ourselves to make even greater sacrifices than hitherto.

WE SHJST LOOK AHEAD. He knew what would happen if the Government's demands were net acceded to. We must look ahead. The Germans were calling up their 1920 class, which would provide for this campaign 550,000 young men for the battle line. We had already raised for the army during the first qiiarter of 1918 more than that quarter's proportion of the original estimated minimum required for tile present year. It was not merely necessary to have men, but to have them quickly. RAISING AND LOWERING THE AGE. The Premier proceeded to discuss the proposals of the Bill. He regretted it was necessary to raise the military age to 50, and, in some specified cases, to S5. The latter age referred to me n of special qualifications, training, and experience. He proposed further to use the Government's powers to cancel' exemptions, and also proposed that his Majesty might, by proclamation declaring that a national emergency had direct that any exemptions from military service should cease to have effect. COX&CRTPTION OP IRELAND. Referring to Ireland, Mr. Lloyd George aid an emergency had arisen necessitating men of 50 and boys of 18 joining the army. He was perfectly certain it was impossible to justify any longer the ex-

elusion of Ireland. (Cheers and Irish dissent ) No Home Rule proposal ever submitted to the House of Commons had proposed to deprive the Imperial Parliament of its rull powers 011 all questions relating to the' army and navy, so it was ho derogation of any national right- The struggle wherein we were engaged was just as much Irish as English. It was even more so. It was more Irish, Scotch and Welsh than English. Ireland through her representatives at tile beginning of the war voted for t.Jie war and supported the war. There was no dissenting voice among her representatives. THE BATTLE MUST BE WON NOW.

The enemy had attacked at the height of his strength. We had been deserted by a powerful ally and another more powerful ally was not yet ready to exert .a tenth of its might. 611 the other hand, this battle might exhaust the German reserves, while America was only now bringing in the first instalment o'f her first corps. If wo wished to avoid the war lasting years, the battle must be won now, and to win it we must be ready to throw in all our other resources. The men we were now taking might well be the moftni of winning a decisive victory. With these measures, and the promise of American aid, we need not fear the ultimate issue. IRISH CONSCRIPTION JUSTIFIED. America was in the war. There were more Irishmen in the United States than in Ireland. They were subject .to conscription; Irishmen in Great Britain were subject to conscription, also Irishmen in Canada. It was indefensible that we should ask youths of 18J and married men of fifty with families in England, Scotland, and Wales to fight for the freedom and independence of a small Catholic nationality in Europe, while Irishmen aged twenty to twentv-five were riot obliged to take arms for the cause which was as much theirs as ours. It was illogical and .unjust.

Henceforth the Premier was subjected to a running hostile commentary from the Irish benches. IRISH BATTALIONS HALF EMPTY. The Premier proceeded to say that the Irish battalions were becoming steadily depleted, being now half filled with Englishmen, therefore, ho proposed to extend the Military Srvice Act to Ireland under the same conditions as in Britain. There was no register in Ireland, hence- it would take some weeks before the enrolment began. There was a further considerable uproar and cries of "Ireland will-not have it at any price!" ' The Premier, continuing, Baid there must be no delay. Mr. William OJfrien: That's a declaration of war aginst Ireland!

The Premier, continuing, said the Government, without delay, intended to ask Parliament to pass a mesure of selfgovernment for Ireland. (Renewed Irish uproar and cries of "keep it"), but there must be no misapprehension. The questions of Home Rule and Irish conscription did not hang together. Each must be taken on its merits. (Irish cries of "You can keep both!'' The Premier: That is a new view as regards HomeRule. The report of the Iriali Convention afforded another opportunity of approaching this question with some hope of success. (Irish uproar.) Devlin, interrupting, asked whether 'he could move the adjournment of the debate until the Convention's proposals were before the House. The Speaker said the liioiion could be put after the Premier's speech. The Premier, continuing, said he understood the Convention's report had been reached by the' majority, but he was afraid the majority was not sufficient to enable the Government to 3ay it represented a substantial agreement. That meant the Government ninst take the responsibility of submitting to Parliament, with the guidance of the Convention's report, such proposals for the establishment, of self-government in Ireland as were just and could be carried without violent controversy. The Government proposed to introduce such a measure at an early date and advise the House to pass it wthout delay. When large numbers of youths would be. brought into the fighting line it was right they should feel they were not lighting to establish a principle abroad which did not apply to them. (Irish uproar.)

RESPONSE OP DOMINIONS. The Premier proceeded: The appeals which we addressed to the Dominions produced a fine response. (Cheers.) They had already furnished about a million magnificent fighting men, and all were taking the necessary steps to send more. The Premier said he hoped it would be possible to pass the proposals this week. (Irish cries of "Never;!"" and cheers from other parts of the House.) The Premier said that time pressed. Every day was important. The Government regretted much the extremely drastic measures, wliioh wo.uld injure many trades, but, considering the no Government would accept the responsibility for proposing lass. (Cheers.) He would not say that if this battle went against us the war would be over, because so long a.°. we had a ship afloat we should not accept a German peace. (Loud cheers.) But if the battle were won, as he believed it would be, then the doom of Prussianism would be sealed. (More Irish uproar.) Mr. Asquith, following the Premier, said that if, as lie believed, they were confronted by the most grave peril which ever menaced the Empire, there was no sacrifice which the House was not prepared to make. He appealed to the Premier to give a little more time for consideration of th® Bill.

Mr. Dillon followed Mr. Asquith and moved the adjournment • of the debate, and warned the Government that they were entering upon a mad course in endeavoring to force conscription upon Ireland. He hoped for the sake of winning the war that the War Cabinet's methods of dealing with the war would be different from the methods of dealing with Ireland. After discussing Mr. Dillon's motion, Mr. Howe moved the closure, which was curried by 310 to 85. Mr. Dillon's motion was defeated by K3 to 80, whereafter the discussion was resumed. Received April 11, 1.30 a.m. London, April 10. The House of Commons passed the Bill by 299 to 80. London, April 0. The Daily Mail says tliat authority has teen given for promotions to the rank of General by selection, instead of seniority. This facilitates the immediate advance of young officers wtio have proved to have brilliant qualifications for leaderab''.