UNITY

Nelson Evening Mail, 8 May 1916, Page 5

UNITY

I THE SOLE CONDITION GF VICTORY VIGOROUS SPEECH BY MR LLOYD GEORGE. LONDON. May 6. Mr LJo.vcl George, speaking at 'Conway, Wales, said the task on hand was not for one or two parties, but for the whole nation. It was necessary to preserve aibsolute national unity until national triumph "was achieved. The sole condition of victory was unity. In a month's time lie would give an account of his stewardship after a year's munition "work. In the meantime he could say that the output of munitions and also the capacity to furnish further supplies had enormously increased. The nation's achievement in raising huge voluntary armies was something of which it might -well be proud'. It was almost unparalleled in history. The numbers diminished at the end of the summer, and it became clear that they must resort to other, methods. There was no indignity in compulsion, which simply meant that the nation organised itself l'or war in an orderly, consistent, resolute fashion. We could not run the war like a Sunday school treat. We could not make the same contribution of men in proportion to population as France, because we were supplying France and the other Allies with steel, coal, explosives, and material. Still we had a- considerable margin of men if the need arose for increasing our armies. Women were coming in larger numbers to the rescue of the men. There were nearly 300.000 women in the munition works. "I believed, and still believe, that the necessity for compulsion arose in September," Mr Llovd 1 George continued. "I admire Lord Derby's colossal efforts, but the Derby scheme was not voluntary, and it possessed many of the disadvantages of compulsion and voluntaryism without the advantages of either." He denounced the base, treacherous, and personal intrigues of those alleging him to be capable of advancing his own ends when he "was bent on winning the war. He was glad his clandestine and surreptitious assailants were now forced into the open. He had been, subjected to a cloudy discharge of poison gas. If any man believed the testimony of a person who had invented private conversations in order to malign his friend, he (Mr Lloyd George) sought neither his friendship nor his, support. He had worked with Mr Asquith for ten years most harmoniously, and he would have ill reciuited Mr Asquith's great kindness if he had' remained an automaton, not expressing his opinions freely, candidly, and independently. A counsellor •professing constant agreement with , his leader was only .betraying him. He viewed war with hatred, and therefore he wished' this Jo be the last, but it would not ibe the last unless it yva.s effect! velv conducted. Time was not our ally. Time was a doubtful • neutral, and had not yet been won over to our side. The Allies were united, 'but their. design and co-ordination left much to he desired. Austria and Germany were pooling all their forces, "brains and efforts. We possessed the means, ibut tHa Germans too often possessed the methods. Let us apply their methods- to our means, and victory'was certain. The Government trusted' the people and would tell them what was happening; there was nothing to conceal. Our people were courageous, _ and they would respond with enduring; steadfastness, devotion, and faith. , A unanimous vote of confidence was carried. Mr Lloyd George also addressed an immense overflow meeting. "BADLY CONDUCTED WAR MEANS A BAD PEACE." (Rec. May 8, 8.15 a.m.) LONDON, May 7. Mr Lloyd George,:, continuing his speech, said the miiriber _6f men. equip-" ping our Navy and making munitions was almost equal to the riurriber engaged in France • making munitions for the French army. > # Replying to some of his best Liberal r friends whom his fervour in 'prosecuting the. .war had somewhat shocked. Mr Lloyd George emphasised that a. ibadly conducted .war means a -badpeace, which is no peacel lii conducting war a Government should not only he ' resolute but appear resolute End; ready to' face the horrors of war. If they had confidence" in their leaders the nation's spirit would act' as 'a propellant to its armies, and it was therefore important that, whatever happens, the people should ibe confident that the Government was doing, it® best in the firmest and most resolute manner to bonduct the \var. LORD DERBY. if Rec. May 8, 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, May 7. Lord Derby at Manchester, replying to critics, said that had' he resigned' in March "the military authorities were not prepared) to say that compulsion! was a military necessity. He was unable to take that standi without the .backing of their figures'. : OEPftRTUREsTROM BERLIN WHAT IS THE REASON?, (Rec. Mav 8, 9.1S a-.m.) \ AMSTERDAM, May 7. Brazilian) and other Ministers in Berlin have gone with their families, to, : Switzerland, owing to the exorbitant/ food prices', especially for- milk and eggs. INFORMATION USEFUL TO THE ; ENEMY. ; fßec. May 8. 8.15 a.m.). , LONDON, May 7. . Albert Bright, irori merchant. of Sheffield, has ibeen sentenced to servitude for life. He pleaded guilty to collecting information as an employee in Yickers' regarding war material, which was useful: to the enemy. ; THE LOYALTY OF INDIA OFFICIAL STATEMENT IN AMERICAN PRESS. " (Rec. May 8 f 9.5 a.m.) NEW YORK, May 7. .Mr A. Chamberlain, Secretary for /Tndia, in a statement in the American Press, says the Germans have made everj' endeavour to create trouble in India. In a population; of 520,000,000, there are but a , few malcontents! The complete failure of the; , fantastic con- j spiracy of February, 1915, gave evidence: ;of the stability of British rule. The Vice- I ■roy reports that the situation' could !hardly be more favourable. . Twen,ty-one regiments of Indian cavalry and eightysix ibattalions of infantry are fighting • abroad. . f