LORD KITCHENER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 14 July 1915, Page 5

LORD KITCHENER

HAS THE CONFIDENCE OF CAB- ' INET AND COUNTRY. VOLUNTARY v. COMPULSORY SERVICE. LONDON, July 12. At the Giuildhall meeting, Sir Edward Carson, Attorney-General, in proposing a vote of thanks to Lord Kitchener," warmly pledging the meeting to support his appeal, said that Lord Kitchener possessed the absolute confidence of the Cabinet, and. what was more, the absolute confidence of the country. The nation would give him whatever he asked in order to reach a final victory. No poorer service could be rendered by any mau to his country than to attempt, in the smallest degree, to shake the confidence of the nation in- Lord Kitchener. (Cheers.) In a great struggle for existence, victory could.never he won by a policy of pinpricks. The voluntary system was on its trial. Did anybody doubt that, if it failed, we ought to hesitate to apply compulsory service? (Cheers.) Lord Derby, i n seconding the vote, said that, as a practical recruiter, he knew where they wanted the flood. They were at present experiencing something of a drought. H resented embarrassing questions 'being asked in and out of Parliament. If spies were shot, in a. moat of the Tower, if he had hnis way those who asked the Government these questions would be taken there and- shot too. (Cheers.) If they failed to obtain men by the present system, they would then have the right to go to Lord Kitchener and say: "There are other powers. Put them into force." (Cheers.) Mr Churchill, in moving a vote of thanks to the Lord Mayor, said he thought he had a right to repudiate the dangerous and libellous suggestions which had been scattered broadcast, that it was due to Britain's shortcomings that, the war would not he -brought to a speedy conclusion. He regretted disputations about things past. People should not waste their energies on sterile controversies, hut keep their hatred for the common, enemy.