BRITISH POLITICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 134, 29 July 1911, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

LORDS ACCEPTING THE INEVITABLE. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. United Press Association. London, July 27. Two hundred and eighty-seven peers have signified their adherence to Lord Lansdowno’s pacific policy. The supporters of Lord Halsbury (who is in favour of “dying in the last ditch” and forcing the Government to create new Lords) have dwindled to sixty. (Received 29, 8.5 a.m.)

London, July 28

In the House of Commons, Mr H. P. Pease questioned Mr. Asquith as to whether he had noted Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s declaration that Canada did not think she was bound to take part in every war, and that her fleet might not be called upon in all cases. Mr Pease also asked whether its converse also applied, and whether Mr Asquith would obtain from the Canadian Government some definition of wars in the cases referred to, and wdiether wars originating under article two of the Japanese alliance were included.

Mr Asquith replied that the matters were too grave and delicate to he dealt with by question and answer, and added: “Nor can I, without breach of confidence, disclose the discussions and decisions of secret sessions of the Imperial Conference.” Viscount Wolmer questioned Mr McKinnon Wood, Parliamentary Un-der-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, as to whether article five of the AngloJapanese treaty permitted the Japanese Government to enquire concerning the availability of the Australian fleet in war; whether such enquiry had been made; whether the Government intended to reply that the action to bo taken by a dominion in the event of war was not a subject for discussion ; and whether the reply will be in accordance with the full and free consultation stipulated in the article.

Mr McKinnon Wood answered: “I cannot reply to a hypothetical question. The terms of the treaty are public.” (RocoL-od 29, 9.-45 a m.) London, July 28. Sir Edward Grey, during the Foreign Office debate, said he Albanian ■J 0 ' insurrection was a source of anxiety, and he would not be surprised if the adjoining Powers took steps to limit the area of the disturbance. He deplored the effects of the outbreak on the stability of New Turkey. ■ Sir Edward Grey paid a high tribute to tbe late Sir Eldon Gorst, and said before further reforms could be undertaken in Egypt, the views of the men on the spot must be ascertained, and Lord Kitchener would he given time to survey the situation. Lord Kitchener’s appointment did not imply a reactionary policy.