BRITAIN'S PART.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15939, 28 June 1917, Page 7

BRITAIN'S PART.

THE WAR CABINET. GOVERNMENT CRISIS RUMOURED. (By Cabl«—Press Association—Copyright.) (Australian and X.Z. Cable Aasocwttoa^ NEW YORK, June 26. The "New York Timcs's" special correspondent in London 6ays that Britain is nearer a Government crisis than at any time since Mr Asquith left office, owing to tho anger aroused in consequence of tho air raids and resentment regarding Lord NorthclifTe's mission to America. Many of Lord NorthclifTe's friends fear that he has impaired his influenco by accepting office. ALLIES' WAR AIMS. CONFERENCE TO BE HELD. LONDON, Juno 26. A conferenco of the Allies will shortly be held to discuss war aims. It is understood that Russia lias pressed for a conference. VOTES FOR SOLDIERS. DEBATE IN THE COMMONS. LONDON, June 26. In the House of Commons there was a remarkablo debate on a proposal to give the vote to soldiers and 6uilors of 19 years of age who had fought abroad. Tho Government were at first unsympathetic, Sir George Cave pointing out that tho franchise was not a reward for public work or service. Some members strongly pressed for the amendment, while others urged that munition workers were equally entitled. It was pointed out that the amendment would give the vote to soldiers sorting letters on Boulogno Ouay, whilo denying it to those serving the guns at home. Sir John Simon opposed any permanent distinction between military and civilian votes. Several members replied that a man who is gcod enough to fight is good enough to vote. The Government finally promised to consider the matter, and make a serious effort tn secure the vote for all 6oldiers and sailors of If who have tho other necessary qualifications. NEW ROYAL TITLES. ENEMY NAMES DISCARDED. LONDON. Juno 26. Prim-e Louis of Battenberg assumes tho title of Marquis of Milford Haven, previously held by Georpe the Second. Prince" George of Battenberg will fake the courtesy title of Earl of Medina. Prineo Alexander of Teck becomes Earl of Athlone. THE FOOD PROBLEM. ELIMINATING THE PROFITEER. LONDON. June 26. The Press Bureau states: —Lord Rhondda has decided on a more complete and stricter control of foodstuffs, and tho .enforcing of maximum prices, limiting the profits nt evnrv stage of production and distribution. A Costing Department will be established in connexion with tho Food Ministry to .ascertain tho cost of production and handling. Tho Ministry will then fix prices based on the actual cost, with the addition of a normal pro-war profit. LLOYDS' AVAR RISKS. (Tteuter'a Telegrams.) LONDON June 26. On risks of 100 guineas that tho war will be in progress at tho end of 1917, Lloyds is demanding 80 guineas, and proportionately downward to 30 guineas, as to the war being in progress at the end of 1918. RAMSAY MACDONALD INCIDENT. THE EMBARGO REMOVED. ("Tho Times.") LONDON. Juno 26. The executive of tho Seamen's and Firemen's Union passed a motion recommending that the embargo on Mr Ramsay Maedonald and his companions going to Russia should De removed, now that tho Union's purpose has been achioved by attention having been drawn to the sufferings of British seamon during tho war. AIR RAII>~REPRIBALS. STATEMENT BY LORD DERBY. (Retrter'a Telegrams.) (Received June 27th, 6.35 p.m.) % LONDON, June 26. In tho House of Lords, Lord Derby, dealing with tho question of air raid reprisals, said he could authoritatively 6tate that for every bomb dropped behind the British lines we dropped 100 behind the Gorman lines. Bombing should be done with military objects, he added, and ho thought the whole couintrv would associate itself with the suggestion that we should not imitate Gorman brutality. Lord Derby added that the military authorities must bo allowed to use aeroplanes in tho way they thought fit to bring tho war to a successful conclusion. He did not want to see tho war waged with kid gloves. "We must hit back," he said, "but it must bo left for tho military to decide where and when. Tho Government has given the military authorities an absolutely free hand in tho use of our aircraft, and everything possible is being done to sccure tho defence of tho country against enemy aircraft raids, with the closest possible cooperation of Army and Navy." A conference of military and civil authorities had decided that tho giving warning of raids might do more harm than good, added Lord Derby. Regarding the question of reprisals, ho 6aid that the idea of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth and massacring of women and children was absolutely repulsive to the British nation. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS. PROPOSED DISFRANCHISEMENT. (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Received June 27th, 5.30 p.m.) LONDON, Juno 27. The House of Commons, by 141 votes t& 72, refused to disfranchise conscientious objectors. AUSTRALIA'S PART. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FORTHCOMING. (By Cable —Press Association—Copyright.) (Received June 27th, 11.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 27. The Director of Training, iu a re-

cruiting speech. stated that the Premier, Mr Hughes, would make an announcement of immense importance on Friday. He would point out exactly •whore Australia stood with regard to tho war, and what the country had to do and how to do it. When tho country heard what was absolutely essential he believed that the people would rise and do the honourable thing themselves.