Republican farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1810-1920, 1918-02-15

In his speech at the opening of
parliament King George said the
struggle had reached a critical stage,
which demanded more than ever the
full use of the country's energies and
resources.
Until recognition is offered Of the
only principles on which an honor
able peace can be concluded, the
king declared, it is the duty of the
British to prosecute the war with all
the vigor they possess.
Following is the kings speech:
my lords and gentlemen the ne
cessities of war render it imperative
for me, after but brief interval. to
summon you again to your detibera-
lions. The aims for which I and my
allies are contending recently were
set forth by my government in a
| statement which received the en-
phatic approval of my peoples
throughout the empire, and provided
a fair basis for settlement of the
present struggle and re-estabEsh-
ment of national rights and interna-
tional peace in the future.
THE German government has,
however, ignored our just demands
that it should make restitution for
the wrong it has committed and fur
| nish guarantees against their I'M
provoked repetition. Its spokesman
refuse any obligations for them
| selves, while denying rightful Hber-
ties of others. Until a recognition is
offered of the only principles on
| which an honorable peace can be con-
cluded it is our duty to prosecute the
war with all the vigor we possess.
81 have full confidence that my
forces in the field, in close co-opera-
ton with those of my faithful allies,
will continue to display the same he
roic courage, and my people at home
the same unselfish devotion that have
already frustrated so many of the en-
emy's designs and will ensure the I'LL
innate triumph of the righteous cause.
'I have summoned representatives
Of my dominions and my Indian En-
pire to a further session of the I'm
perial War Cabinet in order that I
may again receive their advice on
questions of moment affecting the
| common interests of the Empire.
| Gentlemen of the House of Com
mons, you will be asked to make suit
able provisions for the requirements Of
the. combatant services and for the
stability of our national finance.
'tMy lords and gentlemen, the strug-
| gle in which we are engaged has
reached a critical stage, which de-
mands more than ever our united en-
orgies and resources. I confidently
commend to your patriotism the
measures which will be submitted to
you, and I pray that the Almighty
may bestow His blessing on your
labors"
An address replying to the kings
speech will be moved in both houses.
Political circles have been buzzing
with various rumors, indicating Sc
we're criticism of the government is to
be expected in the debate.
Complaints that ministers have in
terfered with the military chiefs have
been revived recently and voiced out
Ispokenly in a section of the press
This subject will be brought to debate
in association with the demands for
an explanation of the enlargement OF
the powers Of the supreme war coun-
Icil at the recent meeting Of Yer
sai1les. In this connection it will be
recalled that former Premier Asq13r9I
propounded last week a question con-
corning the. supreme war council, and
it is understood that he will bring aE
this topic again. 1t is assumed that
Premier Lloyd-George will reply With
an independent statement.
Before the conclusion of the debate,
which may continue several days, the
Radical and Labor members win
again urge their views regarding war
aims and peace negotiation. They
also may move an amendment CRITICS.
ing the policy of the Versailles coun-
, Gil, whose official statement referred
to vigorous prosecution of the war as
the only immediate task Of the Allies,
and regretting that the door was SlrIrs
closed to peace conversations. A joint
Allied statement of war aims also
may be demanded.
The submarine menace, food ration
ing and the dispute with the engineers
regarding the extension of compu-
sorry military service are among the
other topics which various members
hope to raise, but as the government
,aims to have the vote on the motion
concerning the address in reply to the
kings speech taken on Thursday at
the latest, it is probable that the de-
bate will be restricted