New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-09
Army Estimates Without
Details and Aggregates
Introduced.
PRESS BUREAU SAYS
NOTHING IS WITHHELD
Director. Tainted with Audae
cious Report, Says That's
Admiralty Matter.


This is virtually the effect Of the new
precedent set Up by the introduction OF
the army estimate without details and
without the aggregates OF the eXpendi-
lures, and when Parliament has voted
the nominal sum OF 81 900 sterling
$4,000 under each OF the fifteen
groups Of expenditures it will have
voted supplies without limit for an
army OF 100000 men, TO be accounted
for when The war is over.
The Introduction Of the military
budget shared the stage with a discus
sion Of the activities of the othclai
press bureau. Two more days have
been allotted TO the discussion Of the
army estimates.
The task Of introducing the budget
fell upon the Parliamentary Secretary
Of the War Office. II. J. Tenant. "a
Earl Kitchener. Secretary for War, IS a
member Of the House of Lords. Under
Secretary Tenants speech was STIR
ring tribute 20 the British army and a
plea for more recruits.
Recruiting Very Satisfactory.
at is true" he said, that recruiting
thus far has been very satisfactory,
but il varies from week TO week, ana
possibly at the present moment niue
more energy put into recruiting would
not be out of place. There IA no cause
for discomfort. but we want more men.
Every man will be needed in this great
life and death struggle The varla-
tions and vicissitudes OF this war may
call Tor even greater sacrihces from
the nation than have yet been made"
He appealed TO the Labor party 10
help organize the forces of labor so
that when a man went TO join the
colors his place would be adequately
supplied.
Mr.. Terrqnt paid a warm tribute to
the territorial troops. whose value ana
eff cheney. he declared, had been proved
by recent events to be unGuestioned lie
said that the troops have been brought
from India. Australia, South Africa and
Canada without a single casualty. Inc
Secretary remarked: when the total
number of these men IS known this VIII
be thought an extraordinary feat
The British design Of aeroplane, the
Secretary commended, has been found SUI
perior TO that used by any other coun-
try. The speaker said also that as re-
suit Of the excellent sanitary services
cases of enteric fever were rare, and
that evidence was accommodating that in
incubation ought to be made compul-
sorry.
Can't Disclose Army's Size.
Mr.. Tenant added that he was de
barred from dwelling upon the size and
distribution Of the British forces. THE
enemy desires more than anything else
20 know the force we may have in the
future" the speaker explained. He said
that War Secretary Lord Kitchener was
considering the possibility of issuing a
medal. at the end of the war, for tech
meal workers employed by armament
firms, etc, who were serving their coun-
try so faithfully.
az shall make no forecast Of the dura-
ton of the war; Mr. Tenant contin-
ued, "but | am convinced that not
single member of the House is despond-
emit: that there is not a member but is
determined that there shall be only
one issue--that the Allies shall dictate
the terms of peace. The efforts of the
nation are worthy Of her past, and the
exploits and bravery of the army are
worthy of rank with the most glorious
records of any army at any time"
Says Press Bureau Causes Unrest.
The Press Bureau discussion was
Liberal, of North Somerset, that the
action of the Press Bureau in restrict
ing the freedom OF the press and with
holding information about the war has
been guided by no clear principles, and
has been calculated to cause suspicion
and discomfort"
MIR. King urged that the Press Blu
reau issue daily or tri-weekly state
ment as to the progress, experiences,
success and reverses OF the British
troops at the front. He added:
"The Press Bureau ought to be used
for a freer dissemination of authentic
information which would allay alarm
ing and dangerous rumors.'
In reply, Sir Stanley o. Buckmaster.
director of the Press BureRu, defended
its work. He declared that he had never
withheld for five minutes any informa-
tion that he possessed. Moreover he
had published instantly everything that
it was in his power to publish.
81 can conceive nothing he said,
better calculated to give satisfaction
to our enemies, who are endeavoring to
discredt our official news, than the an
nouncement that it has been suggested
in the House of Commons that the
Press Bureau is the subject of suspI-
cion."
Sir William 7. Bvles. who seconded
Mr.. Kings mCtiCn, asked 4 any diSas-
tiers had been concealed, as there had
been endless stories Of a capital ship
lest some months ago off the north
coast Of Ireland.
The speaker replied that that was an
Admiralty matter, which could not be
discussed vnder ;he head If army esti-
mates.
Rules Laid Down by Department.
Continuing his discussion of the
press bureau, Mr.. BuckmRster declared
that the bureau was actuated solely by
the desire 10 apply fairly and i'm
partially the rules laid down for its
guidance by the different departments
OF state.
Andrew Bonar Law. leader of the OPP
position, declared that those who sup
ported the motion desired only TO point
out certain things which needed alter
ing.
az Mr.. Buckmaster is not response
ble." he said, "why is not a representa-
tive of the War Office present to ac-
cept responsibility? There is nothing
worse for a country than concealment
Of disasters until the end of the war"
Harold Smith, Unionist for Warning
ton, defended the bureau, declaring
that the final decision as to what
should be published rested with Lord
Kitchener and Winston Spencer
Churchill. Whereupon member in
quired: HAS Lord Kitchener or Sir
John French ever asked for relaxation
Of the censorship"
To this Mr.. Buekmaster replied.
mo"
Mr.. Kings amendment was negstived
without division.
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