The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-11-03
ENGLAND'S
PART IN WAR
Premier Asquith Lays Bare
to Commons Her Per-
Torrance
SENT 100000
MEN TO FRANCE
Hundreds Of Thousands to-
Other Front - Great
Submarine Work

London. Nov. 3-In his address befor'
the House of Commons yesterday alter
noon, Premier Asquth stated that Fielt
Marshal Sir John French, commander o.
the British forces on the Franco Belgian
front. was now in command of nearly
1000 600 men. Mr.. Asquith said the tota
casualties in France and Flanders amount
ed to $4,000. He asserted the Germans
had not made a net gain OF foot Of
ground since April
Reviewing the work of British sub
marines in the Turkish campaign, the
premier said that in the Sea of Marmora
they had sunk or damaged two battle
ships, five gunboats, one torpedo boat,
eight transports and 1917 supply ships.
The premier accepted his full share of
responsibility for the first attack on the
Dardaneles, which resulted in failure,
with the loss of several capital ships.
He said this attack was made after full
investigation and consultation with naval
experts, and that it was sanctioned by
the government, Notwithstanding some
doubts in the mind Of the governments
principal naval advisers.
Mr.. Asquith said there was full agree
ment between Great Britain and France
to maintain the independence of Serbia
and not let her "become the prey of the
sinister and nefarious combination OF
Germany, Austria and Bulgaria"
The premier asserted the financial sit
uation OF Great Britain was serious, and
that the nation must be prepared to make
far greater sacrifices than it had yet
done to enable it to sustain the burden
imposed by the war.
Premier Asquith said he strongly be-
lieved the recruiting plan OF the Earl of
Derby would succeed and that compul-
sion would be unnecessary.
Premier Asquith prefaced his remarks
concerning the war by saying his state
ment had been delayed by circumstances
over which he had no control, but the
delay had had the advantagesof enabling
him to receive warnings and counsels |
from every quarter He would disappoint 1
many expectations, he continued, not the |
least the expectations of those who
thought he ought TO appear as a criminal I
or penitent in a white sheet. How
ever, he did not propose to adopt either ,
attitude. He intended TO describe as far
as possible the actual prospective posi- |
ton to the nation, which SIS as letter. /
mined to-day as it has ever been to
prosecute the war TO a successful con
and which trusts the government,
by whomsoever controlled, to use every
means to the attainment of that pur-
pose"
He continued:
at is true That to-day some parts of
the horizon are overcast. This, like other
wars, has been fruitful OF surprises and
disappointmeuts. The moment calls for
three things; A proper sense Of perspec
tive. a limitless stock Of patience, and
overlooking reservoirs Of courage, both
active and passive"
Mr.. Asquith referred TO the "small
'oerie Of professional whimperers which
<ept our enemies supplied daily with
liet Of falsehoods" The government, he
.aid, had no interest In concealing any
hing, subject 10 the one overriding con
iideration that its disclosures would not {
lssist Great Britain's enemies.
How do we stand to-day" asked the
premier. "In August Of last year we
we're prepared 70 send abroad six infan- =
ry and two cavalry divisions. In the j
operations described BY Field Marshal !
french in his last dispatch he had under :
is command not far short Of million I
men. To these must be- added the troops c
{ the Dardanelles. in Egypt and in other
heaters Of war, a. we'll az our garrisons :
nd troops In reserve" e
The announcement was made BY Pre-.
lier Asquith that former Premier Vene- <