TO GIVE GOVERNMENT A MANDATE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 307, 27 December 1915, Page 5

TO GIVE GOVERNMENT A MANDATE.

Growing activity in the Ypres-La Bassee area is believed to prelude a big German offensive there. Yon Mackensen is reported to be in command in Alsace. The prospects of a general election in Britain are again being discussed, and it is predicted that the Government will shortly appeal to the country in order to obtain a direct mandate upon the question of compulsory service for young unmarried men. The figures of Lord Derby's final enrolment are not yet complete, but it seems fairly evident that the response of the unmarried is not sufficient, and, since Mr. Asquith would tolerate no breaking of his pledge to the married that they would not be called upon until the single eligibles were in the Army, it is held that a general election is the only satisfactory way out. Further indications of the seriousness of the German attack upon the Suez Canal are reported. Large quantities of railway rolling stock are being assembled at Rustchuk, while Turkish soldiery are being trained in Syria by German officers and instructors. Heavy artillery is also being massed. The gallant little army of Serbia is still waiting for a chance to re-arm and re-equip, according to the Crown Prince. It is spread all over Albania, and an agreement for co-opera-tion with the Italians has been arrived at. The Kaiser is attempting, with mock heroics and specious promises, to cajole the remnant of the Serbian nation into assisting him in his schemes, but the fable of the spider and the fly is as well known in Serbia as among the other nations, and his blandishments are not likely to turn the heads of the people who have suffered so much under the heel of the Hun. The enemy is massing on the Greek frontier, but reports indicate that the force is mainly Bulgarian, with a leaven of German troops. It is stated that when the army totals 180,000 men it will attack the Allies' position. Meantime the British in the port are being reinforced daily.