Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 73, 23 February 1918, Page 5

Great Britain

WAR OFFICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

I’ifiss Association—Copyright, A antra*

•ini and N.Z. Cable Association. London, February 21

In the House of Commons, Mr .T. T. -Mocpherson (Parliamentary Secretary io the War Office), in introducing the army estimates, said that Dio British captures during i9i7 include 168 heavy howitzers. 08 heavy guns. 437 field guns, ]os,i trench mortars and 2812 machine guns. The Labor Corps now numbered 350,000. At least two million tons of shipping would be saved during 1918. During the year nearly 7,000 000 men, 500,000 animals, 200,000 vehicles, and 9,500,000 tons of stores bad boon conveyed to the various fronts. - .

Replying to a suggestion that ho ought to appoint an export legal defender when a soldier, who ILa cl previously suffered from shell shock, appealed against the death sentence, Mr Maopherson said that considering the extraordinary number in the army of all classes and creeds, executions for cowardice, and desertion bad been the smallest in the world’s history. The amended regulations demanded that all favorable facts should be sta-

led regarding the soldier who had fallen from grace under the strain, and lie would unquestionably receive British justice and fair play. Although he said, the Allies at present were superior in men and ~uus on the West front, the balance would soon be in favor of the enemy, owing to reinforcements from’ Russia. Already over twenty divisions had been transferred. We must be, prepared for a determined enemy offensive. Necessary measures had been taken, and complete confidence prevailed in all ranks. He was convinced that we would hold our own.

Major David Davies demanded that Lord Derby should be removed from office, he having played the fool in the crisis of the past three months by failing to stop the press campaign against the generals, at a time when they ought to bo collaborating to the utmost upon schemes for defence. 'I he debate has been adjourned . LORD DERBY. Press Association--Copyright, Austra* iian and N.Z.- Cable Association London, February 22. Lord' Derby denies Ids reported resignation. LITVINOFF EJECTED. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 3.35 a.m.) London, February 22. The landlord ejected M. Litvinoff, the Bolshevik nominee as Russian. Ambassador, in England from his offices in Victoria Street, on the ground that he had not observed the' clause prohibiting propaganda work.