, 1916-01-29

narIly difficult. Earl Curzon, Lord Privy
Seal, IN win ling up the debate, expressed the
opinion that the most serious criticism of
the Bill was made by those who commended
mat 1t did not go far enough. No one
would like better to see a permanent meas
ure passed thu himself, but obviously it
was out OF the question to attempt to revOIu-
tonne the whole military system by compul-
sion. Earl Derby, Director of Recruiting said
that he was convinced that the Bill when i'm
posed upon The country would not make the
disturbance i'll Industrial circles that many had
predicted. He believed it could be so worked
that men could be brought into the Army
rs require anl as industry could spare
them.
L%onlo1, Jany. 26th.-The Austrian Dive
down the eastern coast of the Adriatic having
passed beyond the Montenegro border is
now lid to have resulted in the capture of
IN Albanian seaport, San Giovanni di Medua.
Rome advices indicate that the Italian Gov
eminent is concerned at the extension of
Austrian influence southwark along the Adri-
a &c, but there are, no indications that further
measures 10 oppose the Teutouie forces are
under way.
Bristol, Jany. 26th.-The British Labour
Conference by "a great majority to-day revers-
"a y AOt iIiOA dlGAluNS I6SUlOlIS lu6 WAL D1
adopting a resolution pledgin8 the Confer
ence to assist the Government as far as pos
oibte in the succe jsful prosecution of the war.
100000 minors threw a unanimous vote into
the balance against the anti-war movema mt.
London, Jany. 26th.-Hereafter French
w~arships will assist British vessels in blockade
duties in both the English Chanuel aud the
North Sea, participating in the examination
of mails MS well as cargoes. In future
France will be consulted on al questions
concerning the blockade. Joint Anglo
French replies will be made to any protests
on the subject.
Paris, Jauy. 26th.-Tbe following report
was given out at the War Office this after
noon: La Artois district there was sustain
Ed activity 0u the part Of the artillery IN The
sector Of Melville st. Vast. Last night we
made al attack which enabled us to expel the
Germans from one of the craters nude by the
mice explosions of yesterday. Between the
Somme and the Ovre to the south of Chau-
Ines our batteries bombarded the enemy
barracks at Rattencourt and destroyed an
observation post near Parvillers. There IS
nothin, to report regarding the remainder
of the front.
London, Jany. 26th.--Mr. A. j. Balfour
stated III Tie House of Commons that tDa
Government had no evidence that Cor nany
possessed IT inch guns, but that it
was not impossible. Mr.. Balfour was ask
ed to make a statement of such u nature as
to assure the country of the nayy's prepnr-
ednesa to meet any development III the way
of new ships or larger guns prod iced by
Germany during the period of naval %inactiv-
ity. He said that what Germany is doing in the
way Of shipbuil1ing must necessarily be a
matter Of conjecture. No doubt it has been
within her power to initiate during the course
of the war, perhaps to complete, the building
Of large ships with powerful ornaments. |
have seen in tue Press mention of guns of
II inch calibre, bat we have no evidence
that such exist. But given the time and
lnbour there should be no difficulty in max
ing them. The most diverse coDjectures
may be made by ingenious persons, but,
speaking for myself, | am bs no means sure
that of these cOniectures the II iuch story 10