§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (EARL KITCHENER)My Lords, we learn to-day from Sir John French that in the fighting which took place between his Army and the enemy on Wednesday, and which it appears from the French official report was in the neighbourhood of Cambrai and Le Cateau, our troops were exposed to the attack of five German Army Corps, two Cavalry Divisions, and a reserve corps with the Guards Cavalry and the Second Cavalry Division. Our Second Army Corps and Fourth Division bore the brunt of the Cavalry attack, whilst our First Army Corps was attacked on the right and inflicted very heavy loss on the enemy. I regret to say that our casualties were heavy. Exact particulars are not yet known. The behaviour of the troops was in all respects admirable. General Joffre, in a message published this morning, has conveyed his congratulations and sincere thanks for the protection so effectively given by our Army to the French flank. In addition to the reinforcements that will shortly proceed from this country, the Government have decided that our Army in France shall be increased by two Divisions and a Cavalry Division, besides other troops, from India. The first Division of these troops is now on its way. I may add that all wastage in the Army in France is being immediately filled up, and that there are 12,000 men waiting for that purpose on the lines of communication.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, the House will have heard with intense interest the statement just made by the Secretary of State for War. I need not comment upon it save to this extent, that we are rejoiced to hear once again from the lips of the noble and gallant Field-Marshal his testimony to the gallantry which our troops have exhibited under exceptionally trying circumstances during the last two or three days. With regard to the announcement that further reinforcements are to be sent to the seat of war, I need not say that, so far as it is in our power to give our support to His Majesty's Government in this matter, they may depend upon that support, and that whatever measures they may consider indispensable for the purpose of maintaining the credit of this country will have all the encouragement which we are able to give them.
THE LORD PRIVY SEAL AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (THE MARQUESS OF CREWE)My Lords, perhaps I may venture, speaking as Secretary of State for India, to say a word in continuation of what has been said by my noble and gallant friend behind me with regard to the despatch of two Indian Divisions and a Cavalry Division to the seat of war in Europe. It has been deeply impressed upon us, from what we have heard from India, that the wonderful wave of enthusiasm and loyalty which is now passing over that country is to a great extent based upon the desire of the Indian people that Indian soldiers should stand side by side with their comrades of the British Army in repelling the invasion of our friends' territory and the attack which has been made upon them. It is well known in India that the African troops of the French Army have been assisting the troops in France are of native origin, and I feel satisfied that it would have been a disappointment to our loyal Indian fellow-subjects, all the more on that account, if they had found themselves debarred for any reason from taking part in the campaign on the continent of Europe. We shall find our Army there reinforced by soldiers, high-souled men of first-rate training and representing an ancient civilisation; and we feel certain that if they are called upon they will give the best possible account of themselves side by side with our British troops in encountering the enemy.
551 I venture to think, my Lords, that this keen desire of our Indian fellow-subjects so to co-operate with us is not less gratifying than the same desire which has been shown by the various self-governing Dominions, some of whose soldiers in due course will also be found fighting side by side with British troops and with Indian troops in the war. Of course, we all know that India does not possess an inexhaustible reservoir of troops, and that the defence of India must in itself be a primary consideration not only to India itself but also to us. But I am able to state, so far as external aggression is concerned—of which I hope and believe there is no prospect—that in spite of these heavy drafts upon the Indian Army, our Indian frontiers will be held fully and adequately secured; and as regards any risk of internal trouble in India, against which in ordinary times, of course, our combined British and Indian forces have to secure us, I believe that at this moment the general enthusiasm which has been awakened by our resistance to the unprovoked attack which has been made upon our Allies is such as to render anything of that sort altogether impossible. That enthusiasm has pervaded all classes and races in India; it has found vent in many different ways—in some cases by gifts of great liberality for the service of the troops in the field. I was told only yesterday by the Viceroy that one of the principal Indian Princes had sent him a gift of 50 lakhs of rupees—between £300,000 and £400,000—for the use of the troops in the field, and there have been on varying scales a number of offers of the same kind. I feel confident, therefore, that the action we have taken will meet with the most enthusiastic response in India, and I believe that it will be approved by your Lordships and by public opinion here generally.