New Britain herald., 1915-12-22
CONSCRIPTION WILL
 BE FOUGHT BY IRISH
John Redmond Declares in British { House Of Commons

London, Dec. 22-Premier Asquith 1 made his long expected statement on 1 the allies military position in the | House of Commons yesterday in con- l nection with the introduction of a Supplementary estimate providing for the raising of the numerical strength of the British army from 3,0O0,000 to 100000 men. The House was crowded and the premier's speech was listened to earnestly and silently. Tn the Peers gallery, Lord Fisher, the former first Sea Lord, and Earl Derby, director of recruiting, occupied the most prom inent position, above the clock.
 The prime minister, as usual, got to the heart of his subject in his open ing sentences and declared that al- though the British fighting forces in the various theaters now amount 70 l more than 1,25O,000 men, the wars demands were such as necessitated calling out the empires "recruitable maximum"
 Irish Oppose ConscriptiOn.
 Although the premier did not put himself on record as either for or against conscription, John Redmond,
 
 the close of MT. Asquith's speech, flung a bombshell by declaring that the nationalists would oppose con- scription by every means in their power. And John Dillon followed with severe arraignment of the British war leadership, inquiring:-
 What is the use of sending out more troops to be led by men like those responsible for the Suvla Bay and Anzac failures?"
 Tribute to Soldiers.
 The premier's statement of the need of the army for "every fit man. included a warm tribute to the over- seas soldiers, and he took pains to mention particularly "the men eager to be attested who have made appli- cation from far distant places-Hong Kong, Rhodesia, California;" adding:
 This has been comentary on the lethargy of some of those here at home. No more splendid exhibition of patriotism and self-denial could be conceived, or one more calculated to carry convictions to the heart of all our gallant allies.'' 4.. Refers to Derby Plan.
 Referring to the Derby scheme, MT, Asquith said the report from Lord Derby had been sent to him only Mon day evening and was now being con- sidered by the members of the cabinet Iherefore, any statement regarding the government policy on this suD- Ject must be deferred. He indicated however, that another chance would be given those who had not yet re- sponded, saying:- .r.=.
 Those who have been disposed to O no hn 1~Srx IL tunity set them by the mass of their fellow countrymen."
 Dardane1les Retirement.
 Turning to the military situation, the premier said that the retirement from the Dardanelles position-with the notable exception of the posi- ton at the tip of the peninsula had been taken on the advice of Gen. eral Monro and Earl Kitchener.
 'The retirement,'' he continued, was an operation of peculiar hazard, for the least misjudgment might have led to serious loss. It was carried out by the navy and army combined in a manner for which no praise could be too high and which will give the serv- ices enduring frame in the annals of warfare.
 with the exception of a relatively small propoEion of the stores and 8 very few guns, which had to be left behind and which were destroyed the whole force at both places was re- moved with perfect serenity. The to- tai casualties-it seems almost in- credibIe-in the whole operation were two military and one naval, wounded. I am sure that the House will take the earliest opportunity to express its admiration and gratitude to General Monro for carrying out these difficult operations; while other officers Ge- serving special praise are General Birdwood and Admiral Wemyss, the latter supervising the naval opera tions.
 "It is most gratifying to know that these splendid troops were embarked to @ new destination without the loss of single life, and after a short and much needed rest they will be ready and, I am sure, also eager-to re- sume their gallant career"
 Sums Up War Policy.
 Summing up the governments war policy, MT. Asquith said:
 'In order to win the war We want an adequate supply of trained men to reinforce and augment the army in the field. We want next an ever growing supply of ammunitions. We want further such a stewardship of the economic resources of the country as will enable us to lift and carry the financial burden which we are called upon to bear in behalf of ourselves and our allies.
 Finally, what perhaps is as inn portant as anything, We want to counteract the advantage the enemy has over us in a single direction, by greater unity and concerted strategic