New-York tribune., 1919-01-09
Britain Placates
Mine Sweepers by
Use of Volunteers
Admiralty Agrees None of
Sea Forces Shall Be Com
PEELED Against Will to
Face Hazardous Tasks

LONDON, Jan. S.-The agitation of
crews of mine sweepers, attached to
the Grand Fleet. on account of the
slowness of decentralization has been
settled by the Admiralty. which has
decided that only volunteers should be
engaged in sweeping mines. About 60
per cent of those engaged in mine
sweeping volunteered for that service
Further demonstrations by the SOL
diers took place to-day in London and
other centres.
The vicinity of the War Office was
invaded by lorries filled with men and
by marching soldiers. They came from
the Shoreham camp. Many were on
leave from Salonlca and objected to be-
ing sent back.
On the sides of the lorries were
Won the War; Give Us Our Tickets" !"
"Get On With It, Lloyd George" and
ether similar sentiments. The men
were generally we'll behaved and treat
ed the matter humorously, although
they refused TO disperse until a depu-
tation was seen by officials. who as
sured them that Viscount Miner, Sec
retary of State for War, and General
Sir William Robertson were then in
conference on the grievances advanced
by the soldiers.
Press in Full Sympathy
The press is generally displaying full
sympathy with the troops, but the
more infuentiaE newspapers do not
hesitate to tell them that they are
acting inadvsedly in taking their pres
ent course. which is not open to their
comrades overseas, who are equally en-
titled to rehabilitation.
One of the chief causes of dissatis
faction was the belief held by members
of the troops that they are to be sent
to Russia. This was dispelled by the
official statement issued at the War
Office, saying that here is not the
slightest intention of dispatching new
forces TO Russia. 1t has been an
nounced authoritatively that the rate
of rehabilitation, which last week was
10000 day, has been already in
creased to between 10000 and $4,000
daily.
An officialtstatement issued tonight
regarding rehabilitation says:
"The Prime Minister has been giving
careful personal attention to the speed
at which the process of demobilizing
the army is being maintained. He con-
siders that his first duty is to make
sure that the fruits of victory which
have been won by the sacrifice of so
many lives and by so many brave deeds
are not jeopardized by any apparent
weakness on the part of Great Britain
during the critical months of the peace
negotiations.
Strong Rhine Army Urged
'For this purpose it is Imperative
that we should maintain strong army
on the Rhine, and of course, necessary
services behind the front both in
France and at home.
although the fighting has stopped,
the war is not over. The German ar
mites have not yet been demobilized and
are still very powerful. No one can
tell what the Germans will do, nor
whether they will agree to, the terms
of peace and reparation which we seek
to impose upon them. Impatience now
might lose in few weeks all it has
taken years of heroism and sacrifice to
gain.
During the next few months we
must be strong and united in order that
a firm settlement may be made with
the enemy and that our country may
exert its proper influence among other
nations at the peace conference.
All Possible Speed Used
"Demobilization cannot be carried
out in any way that would undermine
the military strength of Great Britain
until final peace is occurred. No less,
however, than 100000 men already have
been demobilized and steps have been
taken to increase this speed, as far as
is possible, without inJuring vital Brit
ish interests in the world or impair
ing the safety of our troops in Ger
many.
Everything possible will be done to