Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-03

consultation with three and, iaiteriy'
four governments.
Unlike the German government" he
said, I'VE cannot barter away the prop
erty OF our allies behind their BACKS
When the allies are repreached Ter nos
acting with suficient speed as regards
Serbia. 1t must be remembered LnAS
up to the last moment there was the
strongest reason to believe that Greece
would act up to her treaty obligations
with Serbia. On Sept. Fl. after tho
Bulgarian mobilization had begun. Ere
mier venixelos asked France ana Grea1
Britain for 10000 men on the express
understanding that the Greeks would
mobilize also. Greece did mobilize, on
the cath Of September. but not until
the 5th Of October did Premier Venaze-
los find himself able to agree to the
landing of British and French troops
under formal protest.
"On the 4th of October M. Venixelos
announced in the Chamber that Greece
must be bound by her treaty with Ser
bia. The next day the King repudtated
the declaration Of M. Venizelos, who re-
signed. but the new Greek government
declared its desire to remain on friend
lyi terms with the Allies. and At the
same time declining to depart fren
the attitude of neutrality. The result
was that Serbia, without Greek sup
port. was left to bear q. central attack
and q side attack from Bulgaria.
I'VE In the United Kingdom, France
and Russia. could not allow Serbia to
become the prey of this sinister. mystic
rious combination. The general STATS Of
Ilrif In, ho hnnu in
the closest consultation which cniminat-
ed in the welcome visit of the illustrious
commander-in-chief. The result. l SIN
glad to say, ia a complete agreement be-
tween us and to the end and to the
means. but I can disclose nothing more.
Serbia may rest assured that her indie
pendence is regarded by US as one of\the
essential objects Of the war"
Dealing with the financial aspects Of
the situation. Premier Asauith laid stress
upon the Importance of retrenchment
Every man in the country he de-
clared in dealing with the question Of re-
cruiting. Ought to be doing the thing
for which, for the purposes Of the war.
he is best fitted. There has been a diff
ference of opinion among the ministers
as to whether the full exploitation of the
recruitable area had been obtained by
the voluntary system. Personally think
it is purely question of practical expe-
rience. Admittedly our system Of vol
untary recruiting operates in a haphAz-
ard, capricious way, and my objection to
the employment Of compulsion under
present conditions is not due to any
blindness to the defect of the existing
~ &c, hat hn ~ ry-
ment of compulsion would endanger the
maintenance of national unity. If you APP
ply compulsion without general assent
you defeat yoAr purpose
Referring to Lord Derby's recruiting
statement, the premier promised to in
form the country. as soon after Novem
Der as it was possible to college fnfOr-
nation, whether it was successful.
II believe" he continued, lit will pro-
duce a satisfactory result, but II 1t dees
not and if it is shown that in the re-
cruitable reserve there are number OF
men of military age who stiil hang back
will not hesitate to recommend supple
menting the voluntary system by some
form Of legal obligations"
The premier stated he had conclud-
ed that it was desirable to maintain
the cabinet war committee concerned
with the higher direction Of the war
but to limit it's membership. He sug-
gested that it should not comprise
less than three nor more than Ave,
but should have the power to sum-
mon persons having special knoWl-
edge or information for the purpose,
of consultation. The relations OF tho
committee to the cabinet, he thought,
should be elastic, but the cabinet
should be kept informed Of important
decisions and consulted before any
important departure in policy was
taken.
The premier stated that there also
would be more coordination between
the stats Of the allied powers.
Touching upon the question Of sup
plies of men, munitions and money,
the Premier said that the financial.
position was serious. He quoted sta
tistics of experts and imports and OF
expenditures upon the war.
I'VE cannot go on discharging busi-
pess unless both government and in
dividuals adopt more stringent econ
omy. Our position does not compare
unfavorably with that Of our enc
mics. The standard Of life in Ger
many has been depressed to a very
low point indeed, but We must be pre-
pared to make far greater sacrifices
than we have done. The average cost
of our army in peace times is 100
pounds per head per year. Today it is
between $50 pounds and 800 pounds"
Reviewing his own share in the
taking Of the decision Of August last
year Premier Asquith said:
There is nothing l wish to unsay
or undo. I challenge criticism. l am
as confident now as Is months ago
that we are going to carry our right
eous cause to a triumphant conclu-
sion. am not going to shelve tho
burden laid on my shoulders until I
am satisfied can no longer bear the
burden. As long as / enjoy health and
the confidence of my sovereign, the
House and the country will not sur
render the task, heavy though 1t be-"
Premier Asquith's closing words
were:
Let us endure to the end"
= Engage 100000 Turks