Page
THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1918.
TELEGRAMS.
(Continued from Fage 1.)
PREMIER'S IMPORTANT
SPEECH.
The Premier paid a warm tribute
THE CHINA MAIL.
BRITISH OFFICIAL REPORTS,
BRITISH AND PORTUGUESE TROOPS FORGED BACK-
LONDON, April 9. Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig
our Armies at the front. We were in the United States than in Ireland. House of Commone was not prepared fighting a very powerful foe, whose They were subject to conscription; to make. He appealed to the Pre- successes were mainly due to the Irishmen in Great Britain wore subject infer to give a little more time for the" superior unity of his strategie-plans. to conscription, so also were the consideration of the Bill. The only The Premier ridiculed the sugges- Irishmen of Canada. It was indelen teab applicable to the Bill was whe tion that our forces had been disible that we should ask youths thier a military result conld be secured sipated by subsidiary enterprises. of 18 and married men up to by it which would outweigh all other Not a single Division had been 50 with families in England, Scotland considerations.
The Allied cause went from France to the East. As and Wales to fight for freedom and had never been so seriously imperil- regards Italy, but for the presence independence of the small Catholiche, but by a supine and sustained of the French and British Divisions nationality in Europe, while Irishmen effort we could save it. Mr. Asquith reports:- there, the Austrians at present would aged 20 to 25 were not obliged to take paid a glowing tribute to the manner This morning, after an intense, be free to throw the whole of their arma for a cause which was as much in which the men had fought. He bombardment from La Bassen. Canal to Saloniku forces had been reduced by unjust.
was an artillery officer at St. Quentin, two Divisions.
to the speed with which the French strength on the Western Frout. The theira as ours. It was illogical audientiqued that one of his sons, who the neighbourhood of Armentieres,
reserves cume up. It was one of the most remarkable feats of organi sation in the war.
•
this, meant.
IRISH HOSTILITY.
wrote that for twelve successive days, strong hostile forceshttacked the British There was only one Weiss Division:
from the 21st March, his buttery were and Portuguess holding this sector. A Between the in Mesopotamia. In Egypt un abjected to a running hostile compart in engagements. This was a sad the sony forced his way into At this stage, the Prime Minister was covering the retirement, and took think mist made observation impossible Palestine together there were only mentary from Irish Bencher. The efforts of our men and the loyal three White Divisions, the rernuinder Proter proceeded to say that the Irish ample of the work the artillery was positions near Neuve Chapelis, Fanquis assistance given in a true spirit off were either Indian or mixed, Hebattalions
were becoming steadily doing all along the line. "Ee doubten sart and La Cordonnerit Farm. After comradeship by the French Array asited the House to consider what depleted, and proposed to extend the whether there had ever been a more the position wie for the moment
There was a menace Military Service Act to Ireland under splendid thing in the glorious history heavy fighting the daylong the enemy to our Eastern Empire through the same conditions as Great Britaits of the artillery..
forced back the Portuguese in the centre established, but it was clear that the Persis and Afghanistan to India. There was no register in Ireland, They exposed themselves to destruction and the British on the flanks of the line Germans were preparing another, and Mr. Lloyd George expressed great benee it would take some weeks before and capture throughout the whole of the Lys river, between Estaires aud perhaps an even greater, attack.gratitude to India for the magnificent enrolment began there (Further con- retirement in order to save the in- Bacatmanr. "The Freuder recalled that Genem) way in which she hat come to help the siderable upriar and cries of Ireland fantry, (Loud cheers) As long as this spirit animated the Army he did not won't have it at any price.") Byng's Army in the north never agire in this emergerey. It was not
lespair of the prospect of victory. If, gave way even a hundred yanis to the fact that we bad three Divisions in
however, we were confronted with the gravest peril that bad aver memed the onemy, and only retired to con.pt and Palestine and o00 in
not only the Empire but also the Allies," form to the situation on the right Mesopotamia that emabled us to hold
there were something greater than any our own. We owed it to the splendid
material fabrio mas had ever built up, troops from India, many of whom were
namely, the fortunes and liberty of volunteers since the war, and they had
Humanity. There was no sacrifice which the House heep more than a match for the Turks
of Commons on many a stricken field.
representing the people were not prepared to make to preserve the world Arms in minor engagements. from the worst catastrophs that har ever befaller it
dank.
It
undoubtedly The enemy gained a great initial success. was no goed not acepting facts. The Lenemy failed, as far as the main object was coneemed, namely, to separate the British and French Armies, but we would be guilty of £ great, fatal error if we underesti matol the gravity of the prospect." The enemy captured valuable ground much too near Amiens for our com fort and security, and succeeded in compelling one of our great Armies to retire.
The Cabinet-wook every step to
Inrry up reinforcements and no such large numbers of men land crossed the Channel at so short a time.
ENEMY CAPTURES
-EXAGGERATED.
|
THE CASUALTIES.
The casualties could not be yet accurately stated, but Field-Marshel Sir Douglas Haig assured him that the German claims were quite impossible The losses, of course, had been con siderable. The enemy had definitely decided to have been a miltary decision this year, whatever the consequences to himself.
This meant prolonged battles.
There were still seven or eight months in which the fight 'could continue. Everything depended on keeping our our strength right to the end. We could do it with American aid, but even then we could not feel secure unless we pre- pared ourselves to have even greater sacrifices than hitherto. He knew what would happen if the Government's de mands were not accepted. It was to we had already raised nearly six million men for the Army and Navy, and we could not raise the same proportion of men for
.
The Premier, coutinuing, said there must be no delay.
Mr. William O'Brien: That is a de claration of war against Ireland
SELF-GOVERNMENT FOR
IRELAND.
The Fremier, continuing, said the Government without delay intended to ask Parliament to pass the measure of self-government for Ireland (Renewed Irish uproar and cries of "Keep it "); but there must be no misapprehension on the questions of Home Rule and Irish Censeription, which did not bang together; each must be taken on its merits.
Irish cries: "You can keep both." The Premier: That is a new view as regards Home Rule.
MR. DILLON' ON WAR CABINET'S METHODS,
OTHER POSITIONS HELD. We hold our positions on both flanks about Givenchy and Flurboix, where the enemy was repulsed.
In heary fighting, the enemy captured Richebourg, Straust and Leventif. Severe fighting continues on the whole of this front.
We secured prisoners, southward of
MIST AND RAIN. HINDERS AVIATION.
LONDON, April 9. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, reporting on aviation says:-
Owing to mist and rain, few Rights
Mr. Dillon were possible yesterday.
Mr. Dillon followed Mr.. Asquith and moved an adjournment of the debate. He warned the Government that they were entering on a mad. Mr. Lloyd George, continuing, said course in endeavouring to force con- the report of the Irish Convention seription in Ireland. afforded another opportunity of appro-asked whom the Premier had con- aching this next question with soms sulted as regards conscription in Le hope of success. (Irish uproar.} land. He hoped, for the sake of
Mr. Devlin, interrupting, askad whether he could move an adjournment winning the war, the War Cabinet of the debate until the Convention's methods of dealing with the war would be different to the methods of praposals were before the House.
sealing with Ireland.
MR. DILLON'S MOTION DEFEATED.
After a discussion on Mr. Dillon's motion, which lasted an hour, the Government moved its cipsure which was curried by 310 votes to 85.
Mr. Dillon's motion was defeated by 823 votes td 30, after which the discussion was resumed.
FIERCE FIGHTING CONTINUES:"
J
Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports:—
Fierce fighting continued on the battle front northward of the La Bassee Cana) | last evening and at nighttime.
We hold the line of the rivers Lawe
and Lys, and are heavily engaged with the enemy at Estaires and Bae St. Maur and the river crossings. On the southern Bank, an attack was made on Givenchy into which the enemy stone time forced his way, but the place was re-captured by a counter-attack later in the day by the Fifth Division, who tock 750 prisoners. The enemy early this morning opened
eastward and northward of Armentieres as far as the Ypres Comines Canal.
Fighting is proceeding on the southern partion of this front.
The Speaker acid the motion could be put after the Premier's speech. The enemy claims of captures of
The Premier, continuing, wid he guns, machine-guns and prisoners are
reached by a understood the Convention's report was greatly exaggerated. The Ministry
afraid the majority was insufficient to majority, but he was of Munitions was cut only ahli to
enable the Government to say that it , re-place tạo guns and machine-guns,
represented a "sabatantial agreement. the battle as the other belligerents owing That meant that the Government must but had a very substantial reserve.
to the Naval demands and the shipping of accept the responsibility of submitting There was also a great fer coal and steel, which we must supply.to Parliament with the guidance of the zuunumition here anul in rane.
It would be folly to in anywise the establishment of self-government in Convention's report such proposals for The same applied to incraft.
interfere with the Navy and shipping. Ireland as were justly and could be carried SIR EDWARD CARSON. was impossible at present"to tell off which were 's fundamental condition of without violent controversy. The Gov-
Sir Edward Carson wartly sup- erument proposed to introduce such a the airmen's part in checking the Allied success-(Cheers)-but there wasure at an early date, and he would? ported conscription in Ireland. heavy bombardment on the positions still a reserve of men which, consistently advise the House to pass it without was glad and proud to think that with the discharge of theso obligations, day, When large numbers of youths his country bad af length taken a might be withdrawn in a great emergency was right that they should feel that proper place in the battle of Free- would be brought into the Aghting line for the battle line, not without damage they were not fighting to establish a dom, but he regretted the question. to industry and a certain weakening of principle abroad which did not apply to yes mixed up with Home Rule. This our economic strength, and restriction, them. (Irish uproar.),
might raise two agitations; one The Premier proceeded by saying that and perhaps, privation, but without the the appeals, we addressed to the Do- against conscription and unother impairment of the striking power of the minions had produced a fine response.regarding Home Rule both prejudicial. country in the war. We must look ahead. Cheers.) They had already furnished to the operation of the Act.
about a million magnificent Eghting MEN NEEDED URGENTLY. men and all the Dominions were tak The Germans were calling up the 1920ing the necessary steps to send more. The Premier hoped it would be possible
Bunition.
advance zal muking in difficult for the enemy to bring gnux and am
He was confident that our armies, Generals and soldiers,; were quite ready for the next en wounter.
The Premier referred to the material and drumatic assistance of the Americans. The Allies had looked, forward to a large American
READING.
LONDON, April 10.-
COMBING-OUT.
OCCUPATIONAL EXEMPTIONS 'TO BE WITHDRAWN.
Local fighting occurred southward of the Somme yesterday evening.
The situation is unchanged.
"FRENCH OFFICIAL
REPORTS.
LONDON, April 10. A French communique states:---- North of Montdidier, the enemy
of Hangard-en-Santerre. Our artillery prevented the German attack debouch- ing.
We repulsed an attempt, west of the Noyan sector, at Biermont.
Army in France in the spring, but class, which provide for this campaign to pass the proposals this week. (Irish MAN-POWER BILL PASSES FIRST it had taken longer than it was anti-550,000 young men for the battle linearies "Never," and cheers from other cipated to train the soldiers, und,We had already raised for the Ar3 parts of the House.) The Premier if America wanted to complete her during the first quarter of 1918, more said time pressed every day as the Divisións, it would be impossible for than that quarter's proportion of the proposals were important Tto
original estimated minimum required Governmens regretted such extremely In-the-House of Common-the-first-artillery, violently countered-by-ouri, her fine troops in large numbers to
for the
year, essential drastic measures, which would injure reading of the Man Powar Bill was bombarded severa points in the region present participate in this buttle cr
CAT industries being combed-out
Large many trades, but, considering the pussed by 499 votes to 80. paign, although it might be the levies had
been made from, the emergency, no Government would accept decisive battle of the war. Certain munition works (100,000 men of Grade 1 responsibility for proposing less proposals were, therefore, submitted, already), 50,000 taken from the coal this battle went against us the war (Cheers.) He would not. my that if first, to Mr. Baker, the American mires, another 50,000 would be required would be aver, because as long as we Secretary of War, and then to from that source. Transport services had a ship'afloat we should not accept President Wilson. The result was would also be dealt with, and further the German pesce (Load bears), but that the American troops, who were calls would be made on the Civil Service. if the battle was won, as he believed it It was not merely necessary to have would be, then the doom of Prussianism
was sealed.(Mors Irish uproar,)
THE BATTLE MUST BE
WON NOW." The Premier proceeded to discuss the The enemy had attacked at the regretted that the first was to raise the deserted by a powerful Ally. Another proposals of the Military Bill. He height of his strength. We had been military age to 60 and, in some specified cases, too. The latter age referred to to czért a tenth of his might. On the more powerful. Ally was not yet rendy on the question of the Versaillesmen of special qualifications, training Council, but he declared that the and experience. It was proposed further other hand, this battle must exhaust two (sic). battle had justified the wisdom of to use the Government's powers to cancel the Garman reserves, while Ameri that policy. After the battle had exemptions. It was also proposed that was only now bringing in the first COL REPINGTON'S DEFENCE OF and Coucy-le-Chhateau. commenced, not merely the Govemir Majesty the King might by Proclam instalment of her Brat corps meat but also the Commanders in, after declaring that a national wished to avoid the war lasting for
MILITARY BILL PROPOSALS
available, would be brigaded with men, bet to have them quickly. the Allied troops and their fighting strength would be immediately brought to bear on the struggle. 4Cheers.)
THE VERSAILLES COUNCIL
The Premier deprecated discussion
ANALYSED.
If wo
LONDON, April 9. The Pros Bureau announces that Sir A. Geddes, Minister of National Service, notifies the withdrawal on April 24 of
various ages in a large number of exemptions from military service, held on occupational grounds by men of
occupations who are medically graderl.
THE FIFTH: ARMY.
emergency bad ariser, direct any exempyears the battle must be won, and to NOT SUFFICIENTLY TRAINED the field were so convinced of the tions from Military Service to cense to win it we must be ready to throw in importance of a more complete bave effect
LONDON, April 10, strategica! unity that they agreed to
Colonel Repington in the Morning a defends the conduct of the Fifth
the appointment of General Foch
There was an intermittent artillery duel on the left bank of the Oise.
Our batteries caught and dispered enemy concentrations in the region of Coacy le chatean.
GERMAN CLAIMS.
GERMAN REPORT.
LONDON, April 10.
A German official message states We captured. Quincy, Lanoricourt
The enemy lost 540 aeroplanes daring, March. We lost 81.
GERMAN MESSAGE REPORTS SUCCESS ONLY.
LONDON; April 10,
A Germana oficial messago states ——
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all our resources. The men we were THE IRISH QUESTION,
now taking might well be the means of Referring to Ireland Mr. Lloyd George winning a decisive victory and, with to the supreme direction of the men of 60 and boys of 18 joining American aid, we need not fear the Be says our line extended to the guese positions, northward of La Baasee
asing en orsoy bad seisen necessit thess- nessures and the promise of
Army during the German offensive We penetrated the English and Portu. QUESTION E-Is the winning ANSWER B-Of Course 1
ultimate issue. (Cheere.) -
namber amongst them 7
-you going to do
the proceeds 2o
ity and
bainnee.
pouch the
santh of the Oise. On the urgent canal solicitation of the French, contrary to
We threw back the enemy across the QUESTION C-If so what are ANSWER C-Give 1/3rd to Ghar *THERE WILL BE CAUSE OF
the reiterated representations of our Oise-Aisne canal, between Coucy-le- 21.... DEKP ANXIETY."
Conimand in France, which considered Chatfau and Brancourt. We might pass through many flue that the line would be too thin, the
strategy of all Allied Armies on the the Army, and he was perfectly certain Western Front, Generalissuno Foot that it was impossible to justify say was one of the most brilliant soldiers lover the exclusion of Ireland (Cheer in Europe. When we were in and Irish dissent) similar plight in the first Battic at No Home Eale proposal, ever sub- Ypres, General Foch rushed the mitted to the House of Commons, ever tuations of hope and disappointment Fifth Army on January 20th occupied proposed to deprive the Impatial is this battle. But let us come to lina forty miles long. The troops French Army there by every con Parliament of full powers on all ceivable expedient, and undoubtedly questions relating to the Army and the vicissitudes of this tremendous thereafter were so busy wiring and helped to win that battle. The Navy; so there was no derogation of struggle with stont and steady heart digging that few had more than loyalty and comradeship of General ay national right.
There is no cause yet for exultation seven days training. The next two Foch were undoubted. The Premier THE STRUGGLE, "MORE IRISH except in the valour of our troops, and mouths they were outnumbered by four did net doubt that the new arrange
there will be canse for deep anxiety to one in infantry and by 2 to 1 in guna THAN
There will always to the sad because by the Germany who broke throug ment would be carried out not
he strugAN ENGLISH
in which England was for exertion and sacrifice, but iftbose are four places necessitating the deci merely in the letter but also in the engaged, was just as much Irish siven with untinted devotion, there on to fight back rail
than to Strategical unity was English. It was even more (s—it was spirit.
mar and will be cause for confidence fundamental conditich of wity and more Irish, Scotch and Welsh than in this country -{Cheers.)
to the last could only be maintained by the English, Ireland, through her represent
It was iney complete co-operation of the dovernatives At the beginning of the man had
MR. ASQUITH
give way, but als and, with public vored for war and supported war. Mr Asquith, follow There was no dissenting voice, among
line for eight resentatives:
ment and
Copinion:
The Bre
The
the Premier, they were
break the "AT
on givi
to come up
AMERICAN TROOPS ARHIVE INA
BRITISH ZONE.
LONDON, April 10.. Reuters Correspondent a5 British Headquarters states that the Američzna in the British zone, where their presence with soon be felt
The
ITISH DESTROYER SUNK.
ALL HANDS MISSING.
LONDON April 9. c Ity at A destroyer Si April 4th as a result
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