, 1916-06-03

been expected. General Brusati's mistake,
1t is asserted here, compelled the italians TO-
retreat entailing heavy losses. Military
critics regard 1T as a fortunate curcum-
stance that the Austriaps, after breaking
through the Italian lines, did not rush on
ward with the force and speed of the fist
thrust. as otherwise they might have sue
aeeded in invading the Province of Vican-
~ and possibly in occupying the city.
London, May 3lst.-The vote for the sal
hry of Earl Kitchener as Secretary for War
being before the House of Commons to-day,
the Members had an opportunity to discuss
the general conduct Of the War. In intro
ducing tn vote Mr.. Harold J. Tenant re-
piled to The speech made last week by Mr..
WINSTON Churchill, in which be said the posi-
ton of the British lines at several points was
dleadvantageous, and that there were large
numbers of men on duty as grooms and Off
GERS, servants who might be used to augment
the hghtIng forces. Mr.. Tepnant pointed
out that a large number of men were requir-
ed behind the lines TO move up necessary
supplies. The War Office, he SAID, already
had adopted the plan of replacing younger
soldiers with older ones although this could
not be done IN every case. AS to Colonel
ChurchilPs complaint in regard to the large
number of officers servants. Mr.. Tenant
SAID these men, like others, had TO take
their places III the firing line. With re-
gard to the criticism respecting the great
force OF men kept at home, he explained
that they were being trained with a view
TO being sent abroad. eff Colonel Churchill
We're to investigate this matter, said he,
che would see that large endorsements are
about to be sent out" Colonel Churchill
referred to the statement OF the King to
the Nation iaeund ON c;Upiuu +La Military
Service Bill last week that no less than
6,O4l,OC0 men had been raised voluntarily.
Alter careful examination, Colonel Churchill
sad he had come to the conclusion that
there were 100000 of these men unnc-
counted for. He desired to know what had
become OF them. Believing this to be a fit
subject Tor investigation, he suggested that
a small Committee OF Members of the House
be- appointed to look into this matter and
report in secret session if necessary. Colonel
Churchill criticized the Army administra-
ton in several repects but defended Earl
Kitchener warmly. He complained that the
supply OF rifles was inadequate with the result
that the British were holding and fighting a
smaller nNmber of opposing troops than the
resources Of the Milton would Justify. Broad
ly speaking he asserted that the total strength
OF the British Army was at home, and for every
40 AASA II " WIZ - flG0 OAiJ OH0 SlI6C-
tive infantry rife was placed over the para
pet at the front. Colonel Churchill further
complained that, while the fighting men were
comparatively small in number, ard soldiers
worn with service were heavily burdened and
severely tried 10y being sent back to the front
month after month, multitudes Of fresh
men were being kept at home and proven
ted either by bad management or defec-
tive organization from being u~sefully en-
ployed, either in industry or in the field.
AS al instance, he said. his own battalion
had received n draft of thirty-fve men
out OF whom twenty-six had been previously
wounded, and this at a time when they
could see that there probably were more
than 2,000,0O0 men at home and elsewhere
who had not heard the whistle of a bullet.
Mr.. Reginald McKenna in n general reply to
Colonel Churchills criticisms said that the
only important point raised was regard
ing the number of mon kept for Home
Defence. He had consulted the Adult
ant-General on the subject and believed
he was right in saying that it was the same
number that it was agreed upon by the
Admiralty and the War Office when Mr..
Asquith, in replying to Colonel Churchill's
criticisms argued that the possibility of an
invasion must be taken into consideration.
Though personally he thought au Invasion