Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 99, 17 August 1914, Page 5

Great Britain

LORD KITCHENER'S BIG SCHEME

London, August 15

Lord Kitchener addressed the Territorial Association. He said he was aware that the spirit of the Territor-

ials would induce many to volunteer for foreign service, despite important duties at home. As home defence was a matter of great importance, lie did not desire that any should be forced to volunteer for service,. He therefore proposed that certain units should he designated for home service, while the Territorials with less important ties at homo would ho passed into units for foreign service.

Lord Kitchener hopes to arrange for the training of home defence units upon a system allowing leave for urgent private affairs, on the lines of the commando system in South'Africa. Lord Kitchener also proposes that foreign service units shall receive continuous training, when employed abroad, until they reach a standard of efficiency to enable them to do credit to the British Army on foreign service. His plan indicated preparation for a long war, necessitating possibly half :\ million additional men. The scheme allows Territorials to retain their present character, yet able to throw off divisions for service abroad. Probably the first Territorial division will he ready months before the .second army is trained. It is expected that the hitter's enrolment will be completed in a fortnight. The Army Council announces that 'any enlisting in response to Lord Kitchener's appeal will he discharged if they desire when the war is over. If the' war lasts more than three years, the continuation of service will- he optional. NEWSPAPER COMMENT ON THE SCHEME. (Received 8.15 a.m.) London, August 15. Newspaper comments suggest that Lord Kitchener's big scheme i.s intended to provide a great army to meet the needs when the French reserves are exhausted. A GERMAN OPINION OF BRITAIN. (Received 8.15 a.m.) London, August 16. German wireless messages declare that the British Fleet dare not approach the German coast since the sinking of the Amphion, nor dare Britain send an expeditionary force for fear of submarines.

BRITISH SUBJECTS SEVERELY

DEALT WITH.

MANY ARE IN PRISON.

(Received 8.15 a.m.)

Rome, August 15

Tlie English Consul at Trieste, who has arrived at Ancona, states that severe measures are adopted with British subjects in Austria. Many have been arrested and imprisoned

WHEN THE DOMINION CONTINGENTS ARRIVE AT HOME.

' London, August 15

A meeting of New Zeala'ndevs formed a War Contingent Association with a view of assisting the welfare of the New Zealand contingent on arrival in England. The Hon. T. Mackenzie, Lord Plunket, Hon. W. P. Reeves, Sir James Mills and Sir Joshua Williams attended the meeting. Lord Islington announced that the Government would give encouragement to the scheme. Canadians have formed a similar association.