Untitled

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14292, 22 December 1916, Page 5

'■'cable" news:

- [Pbiss Association—Cgpybighi.J

and still less" alarm, but the problems would not be solved by short cuts and coups de mains as outside critics1 imagined. He agreed. with Mr Lloyd George's opinion that Roumania had been a bad business, but it was impossible and undesirable at present to apportion the responsibility. It illus trated the necessity for more intimate co-operation between tho Allied Statl's and politicians, which was geographically difficult. If Mr Lloyd George devised more expeditious communications he would render great service to the Allies' cause.

Mr Asquith paid a tribute to th* Somnrie armies and Sir Douglas Haig'generalship. The primary object of the bomme operations was to relieve, Veidua, winch for months was the prim cipal objective of German strategy. The loss of Verdun would have bec-n the greatest blow to the Allied cause in the war.

Mr Asquith asked why Germany professed to be confident" of victory. Tho suggestion of peace was not.chivalry. It. .was-born of- militarv'awl economic necessity. The only' peace worthy of the name could come on one* condition—that atonement be made' for past wrongs and the weak and down-trodden be restored and faith in treaties, sovereignty, public law and security be enthroned over the nations of the world.

Mr Redmond eulogised the patriotism reticence and magnanimity of Mr Asquith's speech;- also his- labours on behalf of Ireland. He assured the Government that it could rely on tha support of the Irish party in any policy which. the latter believed to be calculated to speedily and victoriously end the war; but he did not mean that the Premier could count on blind, unquestioning support. He heard Mr Lloyd George's references to Ireland with the deepest disappointment. 'They were vague and indefinite, and- lacking m the quality of quick decision, which they were ied to expect. The Iri^h Party's attitude must depend on the Government's action thereon. Mr Lloyd George suggested neither palliative nor truce.

Mr Redmond urged the immediate withdrawal of martial law, and the release of untried prisoners, as being best calculated to create a better atmosphere. Driftvwas the worst possible policy. The Government should take the initiative. He warned them against imposing conditions regarding recruiting and conscription. The time was ripe for bold, drastic action. :I« the House of Lords,. Lord Curzon made a statement similar.to the Premier's. He aid not regard the Coalition as a failure. Germany's success in Rou.mania was not-as great as she claimed. Our attitude should not be. onfi of despondence or alarm.

Lord Crewe generallyapproved of the Government's policy. The late Government could have easily lost the war in a month -by doing some of the things pressed from certain quarter*. He feared the same thing: would be true now.

_ Lord Courtney said he did not believe our ends were attainable by military operations. We should regard Dr. yon Bethmann Hollweg's speech moro sympathetically.