New-York tribune., 1914-11-12
Says Empire Can Replace
All Losses and Main
tain Position.
SHORTER FIGHT THAN
AT FIRST PREDICTED
Lord Bryce at Parliament
Opening Asserts u. S.
Gives Moral Support.

London, Nov. 12--In a speech de-
livered in the House of Commons yes
terday after the opening of Parla-
ment Premier Asquith declared that he
doubted whether the war would last
as long as some people originally pre-
dicted, but that il would last long was
certain.
However, the longer it lasts" con-
tinued the Premier. "the more the
great resources and strength which tie
empire possesses will be available to
iill the gaps, to replace the losses and
maintain our position. The empire is
on trial, and the experiences Of the
last three months have inspired Us
with the confident hope that the longer
the trial lasts the more clearly viii we
emerge from il as the champions OF
just cause"
Mir. Asquith expressed warm ap-
probation of the support which the
government had received from all
parties. England was engaged IN an
unprecedented contest, he said, and re-
garding the justice of her share IN
this there was no difference Of oDln-
ION il. any part of the empire. lne
country had gone through much, mad
learned much. had seen her troops
hold "A pos'riou of difficulty and dan
ger. the mier continued, and ne
added:
To-day we see them in n position
in which, in conjunction with our
allies. France and Belgium, they nave
frustrated absolutely and defeated the
first designs Of the German Emperor
Churchill to Make Statement.
Regarding the sending Of British
marines to Antwerp just before the
fall Of that city. the Premier intlmatei
that Winston Spencer Church,, flrst
Lord Of the Admiralty, subsequently
would make more detailed sIale-
ment, but he said at once that the re-
sponsibility for the expedition was
shared by the government as "h )le.
Earl Kitchener, Secretary OF Stale lor
War, had been consulted, ana every
thing done with his knowledge ana ap-
proval. Moreover, he added, the eN-
petition was a material and most use
ful factor in the conduct of the cam
paign.
The Premier pointed out that the
number of men authorized by the thtee
votes of the present year Tor tne regu-
lar army-not territorials was l,loo,-
600. OF that total all except lOO'OOO
already were IN the service oI the
Crown.
On Monday next, Mr.. Asquith said
David Lloyd George, Chancellor or the
Exchequer, would lay betor the House
of Commons his financial proposals, IN
cluding the question OF loan lot
which the government was going to ask
the authority of the House on Iues-
dav. There would be vote OF credit
of considerable dimensions and an ad-
ditional vote for men.
Viscount Bryce, in seconding the ad-
dress In the House of Lords, referred
apprecciably to the attitude OF the pub
lie in the United States, when he de-
cIared was a country able to Judge
wisely the questions at issue. 1t was
on moral grounds that its support was
given, and this was therefore more
highly priced. ,,-.-...
The Earl Of Crawford. Unionist
urged more strenuous methods to get
rid of German spies. He asserted that
in the vicinity of the great naval base
of Rosyth. on the Thames, they had
well organized system by means OF
which they signalled ships az night.
There had also been discovered, he
said. an admirably equipped private
most system between Fife, on the Scot
tish coast, and ports of Germany.