The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-07-17
SQUABBLE N PARLIAMENT.
ASQUITH WON'T ANSWER QUER.
les ON OFFICIAL M1SCON.
DUCT.
Members Heckle the Premier-Fail
to Draw Him out on Charges of
Mismanagement And on Criticisms
by Lord Haldanc.

|
commons is not to be permitted to
discuss the reported misconduct. of
the war. Premier Asquith made that
fact clear this afternoon in answer
ing or rather in refusing to answer, a
series of very disagreeable questions.
II am of the opinion that it is not
in the public interest to say more
than that no further public informa-
tion can be given at the moment" he
said. Il am satisfied it would serve
no good purpose. 1t would be to the
detriment of the best interests of the
nation"
This was in answer to a question
by Member Lynch. who, in pressing
for an opportunity to discuss the war,
asked If the premier would appoint q
commissioner to probe the, causes
which made necessary the appoint
ment of a Minister Of Munitions after
10 months Of war. Member Lynch is
Col. Arthur Lynch, who raised an
Irish regiment to fight against. Eng
land and with the Beers during the
Boer War. He came near being
hanged for treason, but was par.
dOned and subsequently elected to
parliament from County Clare.~
Colonel Lynch was not alone in
heckling the premier. Sir Arthur
Markham wanted to know whether
the premier was aware that the heavy
howitZers now used at the front had
been rejected by the war office al un-
suitable for service. He followed this
up by asking whether "in view Of the
fact that the operations of the Allies
had been crippled by the failure Of
the war office to provide proper am
munition" the premier would tell the
house what authorities had been
consulted and who was responsible"
All these questions and others of q
like nature with which he was bonn
barded Mr.. Asquith declined to an
swer. 80 ...
Sir Henry Dalziel brought up the
almost equally dsagreeable subject
OF Lord Haldane's recent statement
regarding munitions which had
brought forth a denial and g. rebuke
from Lloyd-George. Mr.. Asquith and
Lord Haldane are close personal
friends. Sir Henry wanted to know
II the premier agreed with Lord Hal
dane. To this and other y questions
aimed at verifying the reports of
trouble in the coalition cabinet, Mr..
Asquith merely replied: &pt +.
II have nothing to add to my for
mer statements" oaq
Sir Arthur Markham asked If the
house were to understand that all
those who failed in office orr in the
public service were to be retained,
whether efficient or not"
THE hone ra BILE member is to un.
derstand nothing of the Sort" snap
ped the premier angrily.
In response to a query by Mem
Der Mason Mr.. Asquith said he pos
sessed no information as to the peace
terms which the enemy was prepar-
ed to entertain.
The governments intention to shut
off at whatever cost all exports of
cotton from the United States to
Austria and Germany was made clear
In discussion started by Sir Henry
Dalziel. who suggested that Great
Britain buy these exports up to the
amount of $4,000. 900.
Lord Cecil said an agreement had
been arranged with responsible per-
sons whereby cotton would not be al
lowed to go from the United States
to Germany. -'....
Secretary Addison announced that
the number Of munition workers en-
rolled was S9,266.