SMALL WAR COUNCIL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 880, 5 December 1916, Page 8

SMALL WAR COUNCIL.

MORE LABOUR MINISTERS. Australian and A'.7. Cable Association. LONDON, December 4. The "Daily Telegraph," writing after Mr Asquith's announcement of the reconstruction of ihc Government, says:—"The situation improved late on Sunday, and there is now reason to believe that Mr Asquilh, Mi' Bonar Law, and Mr Lloyd George will remain in their respective offices, with Sir Edward Carson becoming a member of the War Council of the Cabinet without portfolio." The "Daily Chronicle" says that j the changes in the Government will | not be numerous, but will include ! the formation of a small War Council with executive powers, and the strengthening of the Labour element in the Government. Mr Asquitli will make a brief statement in the Mouse of Commons to-day. Possibly Mr Bonar Law (secretary of State for the Colonies) and Mr Balfour (Admiralty) may exchange offices. If so, the War Council will consist of Mr Asquith, Mr Lloyd George, Mr Bonar Law, and Sir Edward Carson. The "Daily Chronicle" protests against the way Mr Asquith is being, daily assailed, With every circumstance of vulgarity, by the Northcliffc Press. "The Times" states that Mr Lloyd George on Friday wrote to Mr Asquith proposing a War Committee to have absolute control of the war, consisting of himself, Sir Edward Carson, Mr Bonar Law, and a Labour member, possibly Mr Arthur Henderson, who would actively cooperate with Sir John Jellicoe and Sir William Robertson. On Saturday Mr Asquith informed Mr Lloyd George that he was prepared to accept a reduction in the number of the War Committee, but he was unable to accept the proposal that it should have unlimited power to conduct the war. There were also difficulties regarding the proposed exclusions from the committee. Mr Bonar Law then informed Mr Asquilh that he and his Unionist colleagues supported Mr Lloyd George, and that Lord Derby was also prepared to resign. Cabinet has not yet been consulted in the crisis. Mr. Asquith will rej sume his conversations with his coljleagues to-day.

THE ROOT CAUSES, NEED FOR ORGANISATION. Australian and N.Z Cable Association. LONDON, December 3. The "Daily Telegraph," in discussin" the root causes of the political crisis, states that every problem is traceable back to the need for organised manpower. "We now require," it says "a general levy of our manpower, and possibly of our womanpower also. The nation must be organised from end to end, with the sole aim of winning the war. Owing to the partial failure of the harvest in America, we must get most of our grain from Australia, thus necessitating a voyage of from three to four limes as long. In every direction the cry is for men. They are required to build battleships and merchant ships, and to man both fleets. There is now to be a tiig-of-war between the Admiralty and the Board of Trade, both of whom state that their difficulties are due to the War Office, which has weakened the shipbuilding yards. Somebody must be appointed superior to the conflicting claims of the Admiralty, the War Office, and the Board of Trade. "Similarly when the Admiralty, three months ago, decided that every merchant ship should be armed, the Admiralty was told that guns would be forthcoming when the require- | ments of the Army were satisfied. I The public demand for anti-aircraft iguns added additional embarrass[nient. This created another impasse between the three departments. The office of controlling the i food supply has been offered to half a dozen men, but all have refused, owing to doubt regarding their power to overrule the Admiralty, the War Office, the Minister of Munitions, and the Board of Trade. "Regarding aviation, the Navy claims the right to manufacture a special aircraft, and therefore must have complete control of its own air service. The Air Board claims that it must regulate the design and supply of all aircraft for the Army and Navy. Under present conditions there is undoubtedly undesirable competition in placing orders for aircraft between the Admiralty and the War Office." SUBMARINE WAR. FURTHER VICTIMS. Australian awl N 7,. Cable Association. LONDON, December 3. Lloyd's reports the sinking of the steamers Istrar and Burscombe and the Norwegian steamer Skjoeolj, and flie French sailing vessel Brantois. AN IMPRESSIVE TOTAL. FIFTY-ONE IN FIVE DAYS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, December J. German submarines sank 12 vessels on Wednesday, seven on Thursday, 10 on Friday, seven on Saturday, am! 15 on Sunday. IN AMERICAN WATERS. WARNING TO GERMANY. . Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received December 5, 8.45 a.m.) WASHINGTON, December 4. i President Wilson has warned Count von Bernstorff against further sinkings of merchantmen in American waters.