The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-16
Appeals for Economy and Forecasts Further Drastic
 Taxation Measures
THINKS THE ALLIES
 HELD THEIR OWN
Great Britain Has at Present Almost Million and a Quarter Men on the Firing Line From the Isles
 Alone, Says Premier

London, February 15.-There was little that was spectacular or sensational about the opening day of the new session of the British Parliament The Parliament started on it's business with a sober air, beftting the serious business which it is to accomplish in the next few weeks.
 Prime Minister Asquith. in the House of Commons, and Secretary for War Kitchener. in the House of Lords. re- viewed the present status of the nations affairs MT. Asquith appealed for national economy; Earl Kitchener closed with an expression of the hope that the new sys- tenn of army enlstments would yield the required number of men to carry the war to a decisive conclusion. The speech oe the prime aaiaifters grave in tone but confident in character, created a deep inn precision on the House.
 NEW TAX MEASURES
 His closing alluslon to the economic strain of the war was accepted as an intimation that at an early date further taxation of a far-reaching character will be imposed as well as a comprehensive scheme for the restriction of imports The latter was initiated few hours later by the publication of a royal proclamation. putting into effect on March 1 the pro- hibition of the import of paper, paper pulp, periodicals tobacco, furniture woods and stone.
 Next week. when Premier Asquith moves a fresh vote of credit, he will Jy of of the war. The vote of credit which probably will be moved Tuesday or Wednesday, is expected to be the largest yet proposed. amounting to perhaps e500,- 0Oo,00
 Earl Kitcheners speech was a review of the war operations from the point where his last previous speech to the lords left off. He paid tribute to the work of the various allies, emphasizing par ticularly that of the Italians. His descrip- tion of the attempt of the allies to go to the relief of Servia included the state- mcnt
 INVITED BY PREMIER
 We sent troops to Saloniki on invi- tation of the Greek premier to enable Greece to assist her ally under the con vention which existed"
 Touching on the GaIipoli withdrawal Lord Kitchener declared: Although when was on the spot formed the opinion that the withdrawal ought to be accom- plished with less loss than was origi- nally anticipated, the actual execution of the plan exceeded my most sanguine expectations"
 In closing, Earl Kitchener turned his attention to the new army which is about to be raised under the compulsior law. He expressed some apprehension that the widespread exemption allowed through various alleged indispensable trades and professions might unduly di- minish the number of soldiers brought in under the new scheme, and urged em- ployers to redouble their efforts to re- lease men of lighting age.
 In the House of Commons Premier As quith's speech was followed by the usual brief statements from members of the various parties. George James Wardle. labor member for Stockport, said the labor party was behind the government.
 But he added, fit calls for equal sacrifices from all and that the war shall
 
 be pursued with all possible energy"
 NO MORE MUDDLING
 Sir Mark Sykes. unionist urged that there should be no "muddling" and recon mended that the cabinets war commit tee be reduced to four members for the firmer and prompter dispatch of war bus mess
 Harold T Cawley, liberal, said that his party desired nothing from the govern ment except the more vigorous conduct of the war.
 The session of Parliament tomorrow will be devoted entirely to discussion of the air defense Of England, this being brought upon William Joynson-I Hicks amendment to the throne address urg- ing the desirability of placing the air services of the country on firmer and stronger basis.
 Prime Minister Asquith in his speech said that short interval had elapsed since the close of the last session and he did not think that anything had tContinued sn Page Three)