POLITICAL WARFARE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3216, 3 November 1915, Page 20

POLITICAL WARFARE.

LONDON, October 29

Several cabled comments by Australian and New Zealand newspapers have elicited an important message from Mr Bonar Law regarding the socalled “ political warfare ” in England.

Dr M'Call, Tasmanian Agent-gene-ral, directed Mr Bonar Law’s attention to a statement in an Australian paper, that it was lamentable if appeals for recruits in Australia were met with the retort: “The people in Great Britain are quarrelling among themselves ; why should we enlist?” Dr M‘Call added : “The comments of the Australian and New Zealand papers show that there is a considerable unrest and uncertainty regarding the outlook, which is accentuated by hint of the possible withdrawal of our men from Gallipoli. What are most required in the present crisis are definite, strong statements from responsible Ministers.” Mr Bonar Law said he welcomed the opportunity of sending a message to Australia and New Zealand. He added: “Regarding the statement that the political warfare in England is calculated to injure Imperial solidarity, it is a great misfortune if it is supposed that at the present time there is political warfare in England. I have been a member of the Cabinet for four months and can say with absolute confidence that no political issue of any kind has ever been raised. This is true of the Government, and, as far as I can judge, also of the country. The whole nation is absolutely united in its determination to carry the war to a successful termination, and the only difference of opinion is as to whether the strength which ought to come from this material unity is being most efficiently used in the prosecution of the war. From this viewpoint, there is much criticism of the Government, regarding which, as a member of the Cabinet, I can say nothing. Our kinsmen beyond the seas can be sure that there will be no weakening on the part of the Mother Country. “ 1 may add,” said Mr Bonar Law, “ that, greatly as we at Home prize the honour and sacrifice which have been made, and the splendid heroism displayed by our colonial fellow-sub-jects, I, as a colonial by birth, may be permitted to say that in my opinion the rest of the British Empire has a right to be proud of the part being played in this war by the men of the Old Country.”

GERMAN OFFICERS' COWARDICE. LONDON, October 29.

Extracts published from the diary of Private Becker, professor of Latin at the Bonn Gymnasium, testify to the brutalities of German officers towards soldiers. Becker states that both on the Russian and the western front the men were badly fed and uncared for, while the officers fared well. He does not disguise how, during attacks, the officers disappear until the danger is past.

GENERAL NEWS. LONDON, October 28

Mr M'Kenna has announced that an undertaking has been given that all the money borrowed in America shall be spent there.

Papers have been smuggled out of Germany giving details of the plot to enrol Irish prisoners in a German-Irish brigade.

[A previous cable message mentioned the plot, and stated that it resulted in complete failure.] The Prize Court has condemned Krupp’s £45,030 yacht Germania, despite the defendants’ counsel’s plea that she was a plaything, and it was against the comity of nations to seize the toys of private individuals.

In the House of Commons, replying to Mr Outhwaite, Mr Bonar Law said the Government declined to pay the British troops 6s per day, thus equalling the pay received by Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian soldiers. [Tire New Zealand pay for single men is 5s per day.] In the House of Commons Mr Balfour announced that it was intended to make the London defences against Zeppelins similar to those at Paris. -

NEW YORK, October 28.

At San Francisco, Ralph Blair and Dr Thomas Addis were found guilty of conspiring to enlist in the military service of the British army. The cases against two others, one a British army officer, were dismissed. The penalty is a fine of £2OOO, or two years’ imprisonment. Appeals have been entered.

GOVERNMENT CONTROL,

SYDNEY, October 29

Mr Holman in the Legislative Assembly, confirmed the statement that the Government intended to reduce the number of race meetings. He was satisfied that no benefit would accrue therefrom. The Government had also taken over control of the canteens at camps.