LONDON NEWS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 13 October 1916, Page 5

LONDON NEWS.

THE ALLIES' ACHIEVEMENTS AND AIMS.

PARLIAMENTARY DISCUSSION CONTINUED.

WAR MINISTER DEFENDS HIS RECENT SPEECH.

NEUTRAL INTERVENTION WOULD BE TRIUMPH FOR GERMANY.

LONDON, Oct. 12. Sir Edward Carson followed Mr Asquitii in addressing the House of Commons. He declared it would be a disaster if Germany was permitted to crush Roumania. It was no use concealing that we were faced with a Herculean task to secure ultimate victory. He asked Mr Lloyd George whether he would give assurances that we possessed the necessary man power. If we did not, the steps necessary to procure this should be taken without delay. The question of man power in Ireland must also be debated soon. We must be prepared for more sacrifices, involving tar greater inconvenience ■to the country's trade. Mr Asquithj in moving the war credit, said the expenditure since April amounted to £949,500,000, confirming the forecast made on July 24 There was still from £100,000,000 to £100,----500,000 in hand, sufficient to cover expenditure till October 27. At the present rate of expenditure, which there was no reason to assume would decrease in the immediate future, the new vote would suffice till Christmas.

Dealing with the progress of the war, Mr Asquith mentioned that though the weather in Syria and Arabia did not allow of extended operations, much progress had been made. A railway nad been made to Katia and the Senussi reduced to v impotence, Avhile GermanoTurkish- intrigue in Western Egypt and the Soudan had been effectively checked.

"Trie most noticeable featxires on the Western front were steady progress, and the enemy's inability in every case -to recover the lost ground. Our artillery had won great superiority; our aircraft had obtained complete mastery of the enemy's, and his heavy losses had drained his resources, while his continuous retirement had destroyed the army's morale.

Mr Asquith paidL- a tribute to the. achievements of Russia, .and Italy,-and emphasised the. complete intimacy and mutual confidence that existed between the General Staffs of the four Powers, resulting in co-ordinated purpose and effort. Gratitude was equally due to the smaller. States. He concluded: "On the Allies' achievements the best hopes of humanity depend. They hav£ given without stint or regret what they could least afford, and have done ■so only as the price whereby t'ne world may purchase and®- hold dear afterwards the protection ; of the weak, the supremacy of right over force, and the free development of equal conditions for each State, great and small." Mr G. J. Wardle, on behalf of thf majority of the Labor Party, said they supported the Government to the utmost, and they had the most complete sympathy with every object enumerated by Mr Asquith. In the House, of Lords, Lord Lansdowne said the Government was introducing a Bill to enable soldiers, sailors, and war workers to vote outside their constituencies.. .

Mr R. D. Holt (Labor member for' Hexham) complained of Mr Lloyd George's interviews with the United Press of America and his idea of fighting to a finisK. Mr Lloyd George replied that there was no difference between himself and Mr Asquith. He recalled Mr Asquith's declaration that Prussia's military domination must be wholly and finally destroyed. Tins was a complete answer to those trying to spread dissatisfaction and who asserted that he spoke only for himself. The interview expressed the opinion of the Cabinet and military advisers and every ally. Neutral intervention would have been a military triumph for Germany and a disaster to us. . As War Secretary he had a right to prevent such a disaster. The interview was timely—how timely would be revealed in due course. The House adopted the credit vote.