MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1919, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

IMJBD EALDANE'S JRECOLLECTIONS, . BRITAIN'S PREPAREDNESS FOR WAR. By Taletraph.—Press Asna/a-CopTrignt. "" "/ i London, Oct. 8. - rfiord Haldane's recollections, which ire appearing in the Westminster Gazette, enow that the army organisation in 1906 revealed great deficiencies, particularly in artillery, medical transport and supply. It required two months to place 80,000 men in the field in France.

Lord Haldane consulted experts whs were, of opinion that the machine was jbo alow that it would be of little use in the (vent of an unprovoked German fcttack. It became Necessary to revolutionise the organisation, which subsequently developed, enabling an extension to be made to the entire Empire, after the conference with the Dominions' Ministers in* 1907.

After three yean the rapid mobilisation of transportation of 160.000 men, permitting j them to take up their ap-' painted places within 12 days, became, practicable. j It war inaccurate to say that Britain was unprepared. They fulfilled the contract, mobilised without a hitch at 21 o'clock on the morning of August 3 the whole expeditionary force and begin to transport them across the Channel w hours Inter when war was declared. . Simultaneously they mobilised Xhe territorial force and other units, the whole amounting to naif a million men. (f«A»a.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' NEED FOR ALERTNESS. . GERMANY ONLY PROSTRATE. Received Oct. 10, 11.20 p.m. London, Get. 9. - juord--Haldane,, concluding his recollections in the Westminster Gazette, mill especially with his mission to Berilin inMttg, and refers to his efforts to rUrive at an understanding, nfore parathmltrly regarding the ambitions Ger- ( man Fleet programme, but he found Ad- ; Sural Von Tirpitz exercising an ad» -verae influence and steadily gaining f power, whJch" neither the ex-Kaiser nor [the ex-ChjaceUoi' Von Hollweg were r able to withstand.

Lord Haldane believes that Von Holl- | weg disappjrpved at heart of the policy leading to tie outbreak of wax. He concludes: "Germany lies prostrate; not dead, must prepare, by study and orgaaSeaiion, against her competition in •destine industry. She will not attempt for-generations to rebuild on military foundations, but there are other fields of. activity." Lord Haldane opines that the people, both of the United States and throughout the. Empire are coming to realise 'DEMAND FOR LABOR LEGISLATION. SHE NATIONALISATION OF THE • - , MINES. •r' • i London, Oct. 9. The* arbitration award secures for the frasmen and tramwaymen in London and ' the provinces an increase in the war bonus of 4s a week. A joint conference of the executive bf the Miners'. Federation and the Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress decided to press for the nationalisation of the mines, pointing «rat that the Government customarily Adopted the report of its own eoramisiaionj. The conference adds that the whole trade union movement supports the demand for legislation. Upon receiving -.Mr Lloyd George's expected refusal on Thursday next steps win be taken to summon a special Trade Union Congress in London to decide how to compel the Government to carry out Sir John Sankey's report No unconstitutional act tion or unauthorised strike is contemplated. It is expected the congress will order a ballott.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable itoan. AUSTRALIANS ixPLorraoF a v.c. Received Oct. 10, 925 pan. , London, Oct. $. The officers and men of the 45th. Battalion of Royal Fusiliers agree that the Australians fighting in their ranks'in North Russia greatly enhanced their own and the regiment's reputation, as a fighting force. AH were particularly proud of the exploit for which Sullivan was awarded a Victoria Cross. Sulli. Van,, in the earlier engagements, distinguished himself by the display of keen, soldierly qualities and intrepid daring. Unlike the majority of his comrades, he saw no fighting on other front, as he was unable to enlist, owing to family reasons, until the war was Hearing the end. He arrived in England too late to participate in France, land immediately offered when volunteers were wanted for the Archangel front, declaring he must see some fighting before Jtit return.—Aus.-JN.Z. Cable Assn. ' , REFRACTORY SOLDIERS. CREATE TROUBLE AT PLYMOUTH: Received Oct. 10, 10.30 p.m. ' I London, Oct. 9. *'Over one hundred of the Royal Fusiliers who landed at Plymouth from Russia, broke through the guards on the docks and raided the neighbouring bars, resulting in a drunken brawl, which the military and civilian police were un. t&le to 'qUell. The troops were called put and the rioters rounded up. A further disturbance occurred when Ihey reached the barracks, necessitating. £ strong guard with fixed bayonets. Two Soldiers were injured.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable CABINET CHANGES, / ' v Received Oct 10, 6.3Q p.m. London, Oct. 8. Mr. Balfour has notified Mr. Lloyd -_*otge that he wishes to retire as soon |ts possible. Lord Curzon will succeed Jtim at tiie Foreign Office. Lord Mflner is likely to leave the Eokmial Office when he commences the 4jgyptiait inquiry.—Times Service. ■ ap>Mfiia"AT ADMIRALTY. ~ Reeieved Oct. 10, 7.40 pjn. London, Oct 8. . ABmiral Beatty is to succeed AdV hilral Weynwt a&'F-at Sea Lord.—Au»r N.Z, CaWo Assn. - '