MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

AUTOCRACY BURIED* lIS. ASQUETH ON THE SITUATION. London, Oct 3. Jfir. Asquith, speaking at St Andrew's nail, Glasgow, strongly deprecated the interests of the country being distracted by the artificial turmoil of a general election. Personally he claimed that he still possessed the confidence of the liberal Party, who were united in favor of Home fenle for Ireland and free trade. "I am anxious," he said, "to serve my country, and am not in the least ashamed because I believe the best way in the long run is to serve my party." Turning to the war, Mr. Asqurth said: "The most remarkable iact of the present situation is the collapse, which is complete and irreversible, of autocracy. Hie thrones of Bussia, Germany, and Austria cannot be rebuilt. It is not for u* to prescribe for our enemies, neutrals, of allies their form of Government, but w# can say that the war has buried beyond hope of resurrection autocracy and its satellite militarism. The immediate release of prisoners and security for the condign punishment of tho*e responsible for their majtreatmient (should be a primary condition of an armistice. 1 say nothing further about the terms of peace, but our general aims can still be summed up in the words reparation and security. It is not a question of huckstering territory and finding snug principalities for the cadets of royal houses, but placing the whole policy oi the world on a sure foundation of righteousness and freedom." A resolution of unabated confidence in Mr. Asquith was carried by acdama- j tion.—Au«. N.Z. Cable Assoc. I DESPERATE GERMAN DEFENCE I POSSIBLE. | London, Nov. 3. The German Foreign Office issued last week an official communication declaring that one of the main tasks will be to ngain the German colonies. This will bt in the forefront. The opinion of American leading states nun is reflected in many quarters hen. It is that Germany will probably yet make a desperate defence. Some correspondents in Flanders write similarly, commenting on her narrowing front and the strength of foe Mine defences. It is deemed improbable that Germany will go under without one desperate effort with her fleet. Bepatriated men all declare that the Germans in inland towns know little outside their own food shortage, and will never understand how they arc beaten' unless they are subjected to something like Germany's treatment of Belgium.—Aua. N.Z. Cable Assoc. EXTENSION OF DOCKS. London, Nov. 3. The Port of London Authority has undertaken a 6» acres' extension of the Albert Docks, which, it is hoped, will be sufficiently completed to admit of shipping by July next.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. HENDERSON'S FOOLISH TALK. London. Nov. 3. Mr. Henderson, at tffee Labor Conference at Nottingham, demanded an open discussion of peace and no secret diplomacy. He people were entitled to know what the Government had decided in their name. Their sacrifices had earned a right to a direct voice in the decision. If statesmen sought to impose unjust and oppressive conditions on the defeated potters there would possibly be such occurrences in Germany as there liad been in Bnssli, and Germany would be reduced to such anarchy and lawlessness that reparation could not be secured.— Abs. 3LZ. Cable Assoc.