§ Whereupon Mr. SPEAKER, pursuant to the Order of the House of the 22nd February, proposed the Question, "That this House do now adjourn."
§ 11.0 P.M.
§ Mr. LYNCHGreece is the key of the position in the Balkans, and the campaign in the Balkans will prove to have been, in all probability the decisive factor in this 1383 war. Yet the proper carrying out of the campaign in the Balkans is being impeded by the position in Greece. Cast an eye for one moment on Roumania, and observe what is happening there. The Germans, carrying out a bold and well-conceived plan, are making a most determined and energetic effort to secure in Roumania that of which they have most need for their own nation, the wheatfields and oilfields of Wallachia. Already by the latest reports they are at the gates of Craiova, immense Russian forces being too great a distance to travel, having their movement impeded by many causes, have been unable thus far to go to the succour of the Roumanians in that quarter, and the forces of the Allies at Salonika are unable to carry out the plans of one of the greatest leaders of the Allies, General Serrail, because the movement forward of the whole forces of the Allies would leave exposed and without defence the rear of the army. General Serrail has done all that is possible. The Allied forces have entered Monastir, 1384 and there is that hope, at any rate,, that they will still push forward northward and recover the great part of the lost territory of the Serbians. At this moment I cannot refrain from sending forth my congratulations to the gallant young prince of Serbia, not as a prince, but as a man. Why does the position in Greece paralyse to that extent the movement of the Allied Forces? The whole situation in Greece is extremely unsettled. In the first place we have a Government which is really not a Government but a usurpation, using all manner of violence towards the friends of the Allies. The partisans of M. Venizelos—the friends of the Allies—are being thrown into prison, and the patriotic editor of M. Venizelos's organ is threatened with a charge of high treason—the high treason consisting of his denunciation of the act of opening the gates of Greece to the Bulgars.
§ Notice taken that forty Members were not present; House counted, and forty Members not being present, the House was Adjourned at five minutes after Eleven o'clock till To-morrow.