HISTORIC SITTING OF HOUSE OF COMMONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue XLIX, 6 January 1916, Page 5

HISTORIC SITTING OF HOUSE OF COMMONS

MR ASQUITH'S SPEECH. BRITISH CASUALTIES AT LOOS ENORMOUS. (Rec. Jan. 6, 11.20 a.m.) ' ; • LONDON, Jan. 5* There is no need to doubt that the country is on the eve of a ""great occasion and the House on the eve of a momentous decision. London is simmering with excitement, ■which is gradually working Ho a climax. Everyone is asking himself, "What is the fate of voluntaryism?" "Will the House docilely accept Cahin'fc's cecisions?" "Will the Labour Conference j

•fcs convinced after Mr Asqnith's end others' speeches?" Even Cabinet's decisions remain in tionbfc. It is believed that Cabinet's final steips, will not be settled nntil the eleventh, hour. The excitement, is infections, and- the most animated spectacle" in Westminster is the public •watch\inff the arrival of prominent politicians. The lobbies are crowded.Lord . Derby and Lord Islington were among- the numerous peers in the gallery. in the House of Commons Sir John Simcrn. occupied a seat in the second row above the gangway, from whore Mr Churchill farewelled the House. .Mr Tennant, Under-Secretary of the "War "Office, caused a painful sensation ii-a'crowded House by announcing that j the casualties at Loos were 2.378, officers I •nd 57,288 men.

Mr Asquith was cheered when he rose •o introduce the Military Service No. Two* Bill. He commenced by a wholehearted eulogy of the patriotism " revealed by Lord Derby's figures. Mr Asquith "said the Derby Tesults would convince the Allies and tJ * ir enemies that c the people of the .United Kingdom had their neart In the war, and were prepared rto meet any call. Speaking for himself vhe was'of opinion that no case had been nnade out- for gen&ral compulsion.,'; The present Bill could be sincerely supported by those who, either on principle, or as in:his own case, on ±he ground of expediency, were opposed to conscription. The.-ptedge was given to the married men' -because there -.was overwhelming evidence that themarried men ;"were hoKEng-. hack in large* numbers. If the assurance had not been given the whole campaign -would have broken down. When the pledge -was given there were no signs of protest or remonstrance, and the effects were verv considerable. (Rec. Jan. 6* 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 5. Mr Asquith, quoting- figures, showed that nearly3,ooo,ooo men: came forward. (Cheers). "The recruits available immediately numbered over 1,000,000. These ■were a wonderful, encouragement, the

Tesults showing that the country was prepared for any call for sustained effort and continuous self-sacrifice. (Cheers). There was considerable controversy in the autumn. as fo -whether they could best do their' duty to their country- by preserving voluntarism, or by a foim of general compulsion. These differences of i opinion Ijad penetrated the/Cabinet, and he believed that the differences still existed. Personally,. he would be no-garty to a Bill providing general compulsion. Mr Asquith added that he should have been glad if they could have done with> out the Bill, but as a keen supporter of voluntarism,' he considered the Bill. necessary. Not only Lord Derby, but' employers of labour and voluntary can-' vassers gave him overwhelming evidence that his pledge had been necessary. They., showed „£hat while married men <tvere willing- and anxious to serve they were - holding * back in large numbers before; theyi committed themselves, needing-the assurance that 'the single" men would" xfq their duty. The unmarried- men were generally better soldiers than the married men, the latter generally had more, j responsibilities. If no assurance had £een given there would have been serioas. danger of the whole campaign •breaking down. Where, asked Mr Ascpith, should be have been then?