GENERAL NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 17792, 22 July 1916, Page 5

GENERAL NEWS

MESOPOTAMIA AJTD DARDARELLES AFPALLDfO PACTS SUGGESTED STATEMENT BY LLOYD GEORGE (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright) (Australian & cable Association.) hOXDO.V, Julv Ueceived July 21, ;t p, m In the debate in the House of Commons Mr J. Annan Bryce said that if the country knew the appalling facts about the hospital arrangements for Mesopotamia no white-washing committee would suffice. Mr Moyd George said that henceforth tiie Ai in.\ Council would have complete control of the Commander-in-Chief in India in respect to the conduct of the campaign. There were abundant supplies now at Basrah. The War Office was endeavouring to remedy the difficulties before sending them troops. The first duty was to put matters right, and the second to lining those responsible for negligence and incapacity to account. Mr Austin Chamberlain said that in the event of incompetence being proved the Government would act immediately, and would not await the Commission's linding. Ho denied that the misfortunes were due to the financial niggardliness of the Indian Government, which was not responsible. The House of Commons voted the money for the expedition. Mr Asriuilh's motion was formally negatived-

DISCUSSION IN THE LORDS , i UNDERTAKING LORD CREWE JUSTIFIES EXPEDITION LONDON, July 21. Received July 21, 9 p.m. In the House of Lords, Lord Wemyss raised the question of the Mesopotamia expedition, and moved for an inquiry into the whole campaign. Many believed that it was a gambling venture. The moment that the Dardanelles expedition failed Mesopotamia ought to have been abandoned. A madder undertaking could not have been Imagined than 12,000 troops advancing 500 miles against the full fore© of the Turkish army. Lord Crewe said it was imperative in the critical moments of August, 1914, to reassert our paramount position in the Persian Gulf, and to counteract the German campaign seeking to Induce a holy war it was necessary to support the faithful Arab chiefs. Our presence in the Gulf saved the Empire from the near approach of a great disaster. It was also necessary to consider the great Molcm people in Africa, who might easily have been aroused against us. Lord Islington stated that all the troop© in Mesopotamia were now fully rationed, except for the shortage of vegetables and milk. Political considerations would not allow over-ruling the advice of the military in connection with the campaign. Th© motion was carried. DIFFICULTIES UNDER-RATED. LONDON, July 21. Received July 21, 11.25 p.m. Lord Islington said that General Nixon undoubtedly believed he could carry out the operations successfully. General Townshend never questioned in any correspondence to which the Govern, ment had access, his capacity to do it. It was apparent that General Nixon un-der-rated the difficulties. CAUSES OF INCREASED EXPENDITURE ADVANCES TO ALLIES AND dominions (Reuter’s Telegrams.) LONDON, July 21. Received July 21, 9.25 p.m. In the House of Commons Mr McKenna, in reply to a question, said tha.t the rise in the rate of national expenditure during the past seven weeks was due firstly to the Government’s purchases of American securities, and secondly to the rate at which advances to the Allies and the Dominions had been drawn upon. He was hopeful that the expenditure ’would decline. WAiTOH HOSPITAL A MODEL. LONDON. July 21. Received July 21, 9 p.m. Sir Thos. Mackenzie, speaking at the opening of the Canadian Hospital at .Putney. said the military authorities were satisfied that the hospital the New Zealand War Contingent Association established at Walton was regarded as the model hospital of England. RHODES’ SCHOLARSHIPS. GERMANS ELIMINATED. LONDON, July 21. Received July 21, 11.25 p.m. The House of Lords passed a bill to revoke the codicil of Cecil Rhodes’ will providing scholarships at Oxford for German students. Rhodes believed that there was an understanding between Germany and America that would render war impossible. The preamble to the bill states that events have happened showing that the testator’s anticipations were not realised, and it is proposed to substitute twelve scholarships within the British Empire. CAMPAIGN AGAINST LIQUOR. LONDON, July 21. Received July 21, 11.25 p.m. A memorial, extensively signed by distinguished men and women not connected with temperance bodies, urges the Government to withdraw all drink licenses during r. the war. •’ PROVISION FOR PENSIONS. (Reuter’s Telegrams.) LONDON. July 21. Received July 21, 11.25 p.m. Mr McKenna informed a deputation of the municipalities that a grant of £6,000,000 would be placed at the disposal of the Statutory Committee for pensions after the war in addition to the million already granted. The Government was now spending eighty millions annually on separation allowances and pensions.