AIR REPRISALS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3133, 11 July 1917, Page 5

AIR REPRISALS

PARLIAMENT TO DISCUSS THE QUESTION

A SECRET SESSION

ONE UNARGUABLE POINT

London, July 9. Tho House of Commons will hold a secret session to-night to discuss the air defences.

A report from Amsterdam states that twenty German aeroplanes wont westward, but only ten were counted returning.

The newspapers are hotly debating the means for countering the air-raids on .London. All agree that the defences aro lamentably wanting, and many demand active reprisals. The Rev. Bernard Snnll, chairman of the Congregational Union, preaching at Brixton,' advocated reprisals. The "Daily Chronicle" urges caution, and says that the unarguable objection to reprisals is geographical. There aro uo German towns of first or f-econd rank open to, British aeroplane attack. But enemy aeroplanes cannot be permitted to hover over Loudon picking their targets. The defences must be strengthened, even alt the deplorable cost of limiting Sir Douglas Haig's resources.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. GOVERNMENT CANNOT MARE A PUBLIC STATEMENT (Rec. July 10, 9.5 p.m.) London, July 9. In the House of Commons Mr. Bonar Law, referring to the air raids, said that it was impossible publicly to give information -which would enable the House to understand the situation. He hoped that Mr. Lloyd George would make a statement at a secret sitting.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN STORY OF THE RECENT RAID (Rec. July 11, 0.20 a.m.) Amsterdam, July !). A semi-official report from Berlin states that Saturday's raid was first directed at the storehouses and factories. It alleges that bombs -were dropped on tfie docks on the northern bank of the Thames, and (hat Charing Cross Station was hit several times.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.