THE WAR.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH, 191
advanced £12,000,000
IMPORTANT SPEECHES IN
PARLIAMENT.
MR. LLOYD GEORGE ON THE ALLIES' FINANCES.
MR. CHURCHILL ON THE NAVY'S GREAT requirements for a considerable time
ACHIEVEMENTS.
The Allice would consider the question of further advances according to the posi tion of the money markets. We gavo guarantee to Russia that she need not hesitate in giving orders for any pur chases that may be necessary for the war (Checra.) Great Britain confidently anti-
SEO
time
of the House to the supply of to Russia for purchases here and else
ideration for the safety of the troops Accidents from time to time are unavoid nition. They got little credit for and the reinforcement of our armica, able where.
we had also shipped
such expenditure in time of peace, but in Everything was done throughout to avoid Beatty's squadron was where it was When How do you suppose Admiral- £8,000,000 in gold to Britain. Thus
war they had to thank extravagano. The Admiralty welcomed the action took place! How many times Rumin had a credit in Great Britain to estimate of the quantity of oil con-
God: was made (Cheers) The the advice of business men whenever it were the cruiser and battle squadrons of the extent of £40,000,000. France also sume in war proved much larger than Mr. Churchill said he was afraid that always exposed to the risks of mine and
was helpful.
the Grand Flect storming in the North Sea had made an advance in respect to the actual consumption. There had also he could not hold out hopes of a torpedo, before they reaped their reward i Russian purchases in France, Russian no difficulty in buying practically immediate reductionin estimated that she would still require
any quantity of oil, and not a single oil-required by the Admiralty
tho tonnage Indeed it was marvellous how few our considerable credits for purchases outside
ship had been interfered with The price to the goodwill existing between the vigilence exercised by the Admirals afloat He testified losses had been. (Cheers) The care and Russia. We, however, had made arrange obtained when he last addressed the which was indispensable at the present by history as praiseworthy in the highest was substantially below that which Admiralty and the mercantile marine, and at the Admiralty would be regarded ments to export Russian grain in the next House, few months. (Cheers.) Then there There had been an idea that we strain in the earlier months of the war anxious and graxe. We were the object time. Mr. Churchchill affirmed that the degree. The tasks lying ahead vere would not be the same need to borrow might build ships but never man them, was greatly diminished by the clearance of a kind of warfare never before prac- from the Governments. It had been
When, however, mobilisation took place of the enemy's fing from the seas. decided to raise the first £50,000,000 an
we manned every ship in the Navy fit fur victory of the Falklands was a memorable sight, without search or parley, of mer
Thetised by civilited states. The sinking at equal sums on the French and British vice, including old vessels for which event,the advantage of which would only chantmen by submarines was totally nover markete. That would satisfy › Rutinh
we found some use, and powerful now bo appreciated by those who had a full and unprecedented. It was a state of several score of armed merchantmen. We The combat at the Dogger Bank, in which indeed, it would have been universally ships built for foreign countries, besides knowledge of all that had taken place. things none contemplated before the wor; also provided all men necessary for the the Blucher was sunk and the enemy reprobated and repudiated before the war. Naval Air Service which did not ex st escaped into waters infested by submarines (Cheers.) But it must not be supposed that three years ago, but was now becoming a and mines, was of the greatest advantage because the attack was extraordinary a considerable and formidable body (Lou because of the light it threw upon the good defence could not be made. (Cheers.) cheers); We are able to keep the naval naval systems of design and the relative Losses, no doubt, would be incurred, but supply drafts for the new vesals which was the first test we had had, and it was done if traders put to sea regularly and training school full to the brim and thus armaments and gunnery efficiency. This he believed that no vital injury could ba were coming on in such great numbers; most encouraging I vindicated our acted in the spirit of the gallant, captain only a low months ago hankers in Paris are made the military position would be Division which has now reached a respect- gun armament, which would always be If we took proper precautions ons lossca could hear
the sound of the enemy s
distinctly improved both in Frances and able total and developed an efficiency identified with Lord Fisher guns from their
Russia counting-houses,
which enabled the men to be counted on
would be confined withi Nevertheless, the whole of the French Mr.
manageable Lloyd George
The range of the British guns exceeded limits. Even at the outrot, when announced, immediately. We always relied on the that of the Germans. Our shooting was enemy might be expected to make a nation posscesed wonderful confidence. amidst cheers, that £10,000,000 Russian Navy for safety, and the German Army at least as good as theirs. It had been greater effort to produce an impression, ull (Cheers) Every visitor to Paris was Treasury Bills had been over-subscribed was not more ready for an offensive war supposed that the Germans possessed a sort losses could be covered by the Government In the House of Commons, the Chan-impressed with the calm and serene in the English market. This was a very gigantic scale than the British fect of super-efficiency in gunnery, but they Bellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Lloyd courage which was supposed to be incom, good omen for the relations with Russia
was for national defence, (Cheers) are feeling now that our officers have been make would not, perhaps, be wholly in- Then the reply we should George), who was loudly cheered, made patible with the temperament of the Celt after the war. That first great Russian at the Falkland Islands and Dogger Bank, in gunnery. Everything we learnt leaves adopt a system of open piracy and mar- Mr. Churchill referred to, the victories too diffident about their professional skill effective. Germany could not be allowed to en announcement in regard to the arrange- |(Laughter.) There was general assurance Loan was a complete success. (Cheers) both satisfactory in themselves, but still us in no doubt about our wishom and the der-(prolonged cheers) while remaining ments made by the Ministers of Finance that the Germans had lost their tido, and The Allies had an exceptionally strong more satisfactory in their significance and excellence of our material. Our 13.5 gun herself protected by the bulwark of inter- representing Great Britain, France and that now the German arms had as remote
gold position. Busia and France had consequences. The victory at the Falk now have a 16-inch guu vastly more repudiated end, defed and which we, Russia at the recent conference, in Paris. a chance of crushing France as they had of great reserves.
is unequalled by any enemy weapon. We national instruments which she utterly Great Britain's le emphasised that the recommendation over-running the planet Mars. (Cheers)
was the lands terminated the first phase of the r largest in the history of the country. naval war by clearing the German flag of this action was that our ships exceeded There were good reasons for believing committed us to heavy engagements, That feeling pervaded every close of the in South Africa ensured us i large and tion of Tsingtau and the defect of the machinery than the glorious feats of the Germany (Cheers.) We had
powerful.
Another remarkable feature much to our detriment, had respected. (Choers.) The collapse of the rebellion
from the oceans of the world. The block their previous spoed records. Nothing that the economic pressure exerted by the and said that this was the most community, and was reflected in the
ing in of enemy merchantmen, the reduc- could show better the excellence of British British Navy was beginning to Expensive
wer that had ever been money-market, where the difficulties were made arrangements at the Paris Con- along the path finally reached by Admiral system of repairs and refits. All have nickel, manganese, antimony, etc., need- wagod, either in material, in men, or in passing away, and arrangements for rais ference whereby, if our stock of gold Sturdeo's victory.
Nevertheless, we had Konigsberg and the Enulen wore steps engine room branch or the Admiralty the imports of copper-petro
felt by Money. For the year ending 31sting money to promote military enterprises December next, the aggregate expendi were crowned with complete succes, diminished beyond a certain point, the only two small German cruisers and two without exhaustion (Cheers) The material. The hatred and anger shown been effected with ocasclées vigilance and ed for the efficient production of whr
TWO THOUSAND MILLIONS STERLING.
strain in proportion to het resources, and had the largest proportion
of men under arms. The enemy had
STAGGERING WAR EXPENDITURE occupied part of her richest territory, and ipated that by the time the first advances also to provide for the Royal Naval theories of design, particularly our big of the Laertes. (Cheera))
OF ALLIES.
STATEMENT BY MR, LLOYD GEORGE,
LONDON, February 15th..
7.40 p.m.
ture of the Allies would be not far from (Chocm.)
The
population
85.
steady supply.
numberPO
and
Dauperior power.
insurance.
tha
ricted rubber,
tion was proving inconvenient. (Cheers.). couraged us to believe that this restric- by Germany against Great Britain en-
We should redouble our efforts to make it
bankers of France and Russia would armed merchantmen remained at large Kent, a knot vessel, for instantce, in two thousand millions sterling.
come to our assistance. We had also tions for the attack on our trade routes, caught the Nuremburg and sank het.
of all Germany' There
however, B
formidable prepara the Falklands fight steamed 25 knots, were British Empire would be spending con- of small States which would be com
made arrangements whereby £iderably more than France or Russia pelled to look to their greater Allies for Treasury Bills issued in France, and we continuously on the seas. During the last would be found good, fit, kern, and honest France and these were at present in hiding (Cheers.) The truth was that the Navy had access to our markets for There had been about 8,000 British vessels was as sound as a bell (cheers) and so, probably a hundred to a hundred and financial support. fifty millions sterling more than the which, until recently, was a very rich the exchanges in respect of Billa bold in and 3,600 sailings to and from the United of good management and organisation, of action by the Allies to provent the impor
There was Belgium, initated arrangements to help to restore three months there had been 4,483 arrivals highest figure expended by the other two country, but which was devastated and this country against Russian merchants sunk by above water craft. That was a sturdy workmen, faithful workmanship, eloquent peroration he said he considered This would be found to be the product prolonged cheers, intimated further Mr. Churchill then, amid loud and great Allies. We had to recruit a new Army desolated. We had to see that she did We proposed to accept Russian Treasury remarkable result, because during the two careful clerks, accountants, skilful that those who were bearing the stress and Kingdom, and only 18 vessels had been sound principles in design and strategy tation of foodstuffs into Germany. In an and maintain a huge Navy; we were
not suffer cheera) until the period paying liberal separation allowance; we of restoration came, and
Bills against Bills of Exchange due from great wars which began in 1793 and ended ongineers, painstaking officers and hardy strain of the war had a right to the compensation. had to bring troops from the ends of the (Cheers.) There was Serbia, with a Russian merchants. The Russian Govern-
in 3814 no fewer than 10,871 British tars (Cheers) It showed to all the generous and indulgent barth; and had to wage war not merely
large
as Ireland meat in return would facilitate the by the enemy, and even after. Trafalgar that, ship for bip, gun for gun, we could to the goodwill of the House (Cheers,) merchantmen were either captured or sunk world that there was no reason to assume support of their fellow-countrymen and in Europe, but in Asia, and North and fighting a third great war within export of produce of every kind required we lost 500 ships yearly.
dgment and East and South Africa.
two years, fighting with great force by the Allics. This, he thought, would during the first six months of the present (Cheors)
Our total loss not give a good account of ourselves. No doubt now dangers and perplexities Great Britain and France, be courage,
be one of the most fruitful parts of the war was only sixty-three. However, we four in representatire ships the Germans serious, than those through which we had and brilliancy-(cheers)--
It showed that at five to would arise, yet they could not be more Said, were two of the richest countries but with no wealth, no revenue, no
arrangement.
must keep watch for another attempt to did not think 16 prudent to engage, that successfully made our way(Cheers) En "the world, and the great exports, and hardly any manufactures.
Mr. Lloyd George concluded by harass the trade routes, for although the they accepted without hesitation their and British naval sea-power would unceas bankers would be able to pay our There were also other States preparing for days conference face to face could telegraph had enormously increased took. No endeavour to sink by official paralysing the fighting energiest of their
emphasising what results thres
ocean offered, rather bleak prospects to inferiority that they thought only of ingly dominate the general situation and huge expenditure on the war for five war. (Cheers.) It was obviously to our
German cruisers, the truth was that steam fight. They were wise in the view they would be the main unfailing resource of gears, allowing a substantial sum for interests that they should be well equip understanding were cleared away
achieve Misconception
the Allied nations while progressively Hepreciation, out of the proceeds of our ped. Then Great Britain had her own a second which otherwise might take The First Lord then dwelt on the Ad engaged in general battle we hoped to cheers.)
mis- the thorougliness and efficiency of the communique's would obscure that cruel antagonists. It could, even in default of Unvestments abroad. France would be special difficulties. Two-thirds of our weeks to remove. It was their opinionmiralty's transport work in moving troops bring into line a preponderance not only
fact, but when, if ever, the two great feats itself decite the issue of the war. (Loud other favourable cansen, ultimately by able to carry on for two to three years food supply was purchased from abroad, that there conferences might profitably të at least out of the proceeds of her invest-enormous quantities of raw material were extended to other spheres of operation,
across the Channel, often at the shortest of quality but numbers which would not ments abroad, and both countries would absorbed in war equipments, we have to
notice und
and threatened by the enemy's war be five to four, but something consider- still have something to spare to advance transport what we purchase abroad for
ships, the waters being haunted by sub- BRITAIN'S COUNTERBLAST. marines; also to the transport work from
ably greater. to their Allies. This was a most impor-war purposes and create enormous ere-
IMPORTANT SPEECH BY MR.
Jndia, South Africa, Egypt, Australia tant consideration, At the present
New Zealand, Canada, and China, and CHURCHILL. moment the Allies were fighting the whole
dits, and enable other countries to do the
indeed from every position under the sea by mine and submarine, Our naval mobilised strength of Germany with per-
Crown, of
losses had been 5,500 killed mainly by approximately one million haps less than one-third of their own
men without, up to the present any submarine. Wo had killed, mainly by gun accident or loss of life. (Cheers.) "I{
fre, an equal number (heers) which is
of it (Loud cheers.) So smoothly had fighting 62 officers and 334 men prisoner that is incapacity," he added, “I hope
a much larger proportion of the German
this worked that, sometimes it was needs taken in sea fighting. (Cheers.) For the sary to remember that we were warring loss of these precious British lives we had with the second naval Power of the world, lived through six months of war safely,
that fact faust, not be forgotten. The and when complaints were made that they even prosperously, and
and established a com had taken too many transports or colliers, mand of the sea never before known. Adaralty had chartered about one fifth Courts Martial and Courts of Enquiry,
Mr. Churchill regarding the question of the British Mercantile Marine, and bring all their resources into the common now come when the enjoyment of thesey were discharging with that all th emphasised that the circumstances and their nationality. SILA PANAMA erk stock, (Cheers.) That country having immunities by a State which as a matterlenishing the ammunition of the troop enoes. The mine and submarine created neutral flags on merchantmen
duties of upplying and fuelling, re- more men ready with guns, rifles and of deliberate policy Lad placed herself transporting reinforcements, and bring munitions muat bring them against the outside international obligations must being home the rounded. commor enemy, even though the others are
Mr. Churchill pointed out that we are unable to make a similar contribution.
At the outbreak of war Great Britain not living, like the Germans, in great had a fleet with a good margin of safety naval ports, like Wilhelmshaven, but had
SAIDE.
Mr. Lloyd George emphasised that there
LONDON, February 15th.
6.05 pm.
In the House of Commons the First
additional insurance against unexpected We nught consider the extra margin
Strength, and the problem of the Ali (as no danger, but in a conference such Lord of the Admiralty, in an important that there will be an inexhaustible supply forces engaged. We had also taken in sea
was to bring the remaining two-thirds of as that held in Paris they could not over- their resources into the fighting line at look the fact that great vigilance must be the earliest possible moment, This was exercised. We had to effectively mobilies largely a question of finance. Russia, he the financial resources of the Allies so as continued, was in a different position toka of the greatest help to the common either Great Britain or France. She was cause. Great Britain was undoubtedly prodigiously rich in natural resources, still the best market of the world, and had a great and growing population which was virile and industrione
Russia, since the war began, had bnormously increased her resources by kuppressing the sale of alcohol. (Cheers.) Thus alone she increased the productivity of her labour by between do and 50 per
Navy speech, intimated further action by the Allies to prevent the importation of foodstuffs in neutral ships to Germany.
Mr. Churchill said that hitherto we had
not prevented neutral ships from trading not prevented the import of food, we had directly with the German porta, and we had allowed German exports in neutral
In this great war all the Allies must ships to pass unchallenged. The time had
reconsidered,
No British naval prisoners had been
bent (Renewed cheers.) It was us if she The same thing applied to the country in vital matters, fully mobilised and to ba ready for any great emergency inappropriate and often even barmful
TWO NEW BRITISH SQUADRONS.
Churchill's speech that two new squadrons
LONDON, February 15tk. The Daily Chronicle deduces from Mr. of Royal Sovereigns and Queen Elizabethe, armed with fifteen-inch guns, are now in the battle line.
DUTCH NOTE TO GRRMANY. AND AN OBJECTION TO GREAT BRITAIN
LONDON, February 18th,
the Dutch Government has addressed a 4 message from the Hague states, that Note to Germany declaring that Ger- many's grievances, which sro formulated in general terms against neutral
to demand a thorough examination inta countries, are unfounded so far as the also says that neutral vessels are entitled Netherlands are concerned. The Note
GREECE AND TURKEY. GREEK MINISTER LEATES.
CONSTANTINOPLE.
LONDON, February 15th.
conditions of modern naval war were
The Dutch Government has also inti-
entirely novel conditions and presented entirely different from previous experi- the latter's attitude regarding the use of amated to Great Britain its objection to
to navel officers problems of incomparable hazard and difficulty. In these circum- had added millions of labourers to hor
stances Courts Martial would be frequent! Jabour reserve, without even increasing
with the larger navy, or the country with equipped for every requirement, with rese. There was no incapacity or inactivity in (Cheers) Consequently, he respectfully. the expense of maintaining them. But more money, (Cheers.) That was the ves, ammunition and torpedoes far above the part of the Admiralty (Cheers,) claimed on behalf of the Admiralty abso- hitherto Russis had been unable to com- principle on which the Conferenes at the regular quantity, with ample supplies They had to take indispensable precau lute discretionary power regarding the mand the capital within her own Paris had worked. They decided that each of fuel and oil, and adequate reserves of tions to meet emergencies. dominions to develop these resources. country should raise money in its own all kinds The Navy had also adequate
power of summoning Courts Martial Mr. Churchill, turning to the Army enquiries. He asked the House for con The war had made this problem still more markets as far as conditions allowed, but adequate establishments for training new supplying across the sea an army almost connection, (Cheers.) He would especial-
numbers of trained officers and said it should be remembered that we are fidence and support during war in this Attaché
men dificulé, especially in financing outside if any country needed help for outside men, an inmense programme of tewas large as the Grand Army of Napoleon, y deprecate anything being done tending purchases for the war.
purchases, those best able would render construction-maturing to reinforce the only vastly more complex in organisation, to make officers afloat or at the Admiralty assistance. The only exception was that Fleet, ad s prearranged system for and equipment. He rever knew at what play for safety. (Cheers.) Our navy Britain, France, and Russia should contri- accelerating new construction which had hour Lord Kitchenon might ask the must keep to sea. Our ships are constantly buto proportionately to every loan to small been found to yield even surprising Admiralty to remove 20,000 or 40,000 men moying. Risks are run every day valuable
Particularly did he draw the changed at the last moment, owing to continually
at shorti notice. Plans were frequently ships run risks every day. The enemy in Continually vendesyouring to strike.
France had also had special difficulties The people e ́d not quite realise the strain ppon this gallant country up to the present (Cheers) She bore the greatest States,
results.
and
Greek Minister has left Constantinople A telegram from Athens says that the owing to the Turks not fulfilling the policeman's insult to Greek Naval promise of satisfaction for the Turkish
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] THE TIMES" ON JAPAN'S
DEMANDS.
PERING, February 16th The Japanese, Legation has received by Times editorial which dares that Japan's demands are res
Bonable: