POLITICAL SENSATION

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13791, 21 January 1918, Page 5

POLITICAL SENSATION

Sudden Secret Session

TO DISCUSS URGENT PROPOSALS IN REGARD TO MAN-POWER, AND MR HOGGE’S STARTLING ASSERTIONS.

(Aust. »nd N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received Sunday, 0.51 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 18.

A secret session of Parliament was decided on with dramatic suddenness, as the result of Mr J. M. Hogge, M.P. (Edinburgh) stating that he had learnt certain facts in private conference which showed that the proposed 450,000 men was inadequate to meet the military situation.

Mr Hogge said: ‘‘The Government has not. given an adequate statement regarding the war. I know facts, though I cannot state them, which show the conditions of the war are not as stated. The man-power proposals are absurd; they arc a mere fleabite, and will not meet the situation. It is fooling the House and the public to suggest that this proposed man-power is going to bring them nearer victory. Let the War Minister tell the House about America: what help America can give, and when she can give it. Let him tell how England is being bled in men, materials, and money in order to maintain a position in the war which in the autumn may find us no nearer to victory. ’ ’

There were cries of “No!” and “Whait do you mean?” Mr Hogge said: “I do not menu the Germans can break our line.” A secret session followed.