BRITISH ARMY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 34, 10 February 1915, Page 7

BRITISH ARMY

DISCUSSION ON THE ESTIMATES. NO ONE IS DESPONDENT. LONDON, 9th February. Mr. H. J. Tennant (Under- Secretary for War), in his speech in introducing the nominal Army Estimates, said the one thing above all that the enemy wanted to know was the number of men who would oppose them in the future. It was possible to make a fair computation of such forces in conscription countries, but it was not so easily done under England's happy voluntary principle. He hoped that nobody knowing j the British figures would be so irresponsible as to divulge them. Britain's initial difficulty was to provide sufficient j accommodation for the men who flocked to the colours. That difficulty was gradually being overcome. When the numbers of troops that had been brought j from overseas without accident became known it would be regarded as one of tfie most extraordinary feats of the war. The supply of horses was sufficient to meet all future requirements. Mr. Tennant testified to the efficiency of the medical service, and concluded : "Although we are unable to forecast what is in front of us no one in this House is despondent. All are determined that the Allies should dictate the terms of peace. The nation's efforts are worthy of our past, and the gallantry of our soldiers, from the highest to the lowest, is worthy to rank with the most glorious records of any army of any time." Replying to Mr. W. H. Long, Mr. Tennant stated that General Sir lan Hamilton was responsible for home defence. A debate followed on the motion of Mr. J. King (Liberal M.P. for Somerset North) condemning the Press Bureau for restricting the freedom of the press. Mr. King declared that its working had caused suspicion and discontent with its methods. The principles on which it worked were wholly unintelligible. Sir Stanley Buckmaster (Solicitor-Gen-eral, and head of the Press Bureau) said the motion was based on a charge that the bureau withheld information. On the contrary, the Bureau published instantly everything it had power to publish, but nothing was issued unless it was absolutely time. His first duty was to prevent the publication of news that would unduly depress the people when the news was out of relation to truo facts. He denied that he had used th« offico to shield colleagues from criticism. Mr. Bonar Law, Leader of the Opposition, said it would be a great advan. tage if bulletins were regularly issued, as was done in France. He wondered if the House realised what a tremendous event the battle of Ypres was. "We had bigger Josses there than in almost any battle in our history in which purely British troops were engaged, and out of wJiich we had come with great honour. It was time the country knew the details of the battle." The motion" was negatived.