LEADERS ON THE OUTLOOK

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2874, 12 September 1916, Page 5

LEADERS ON THE OUTLOOK

WHAT THE RUSSIAN ARMY

CHIEFS THINK

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER ON THE SOMME

"LOOK AFTER THE WAR" Australian-New Zealand Oablo Association. New York, September 10. General Alexieff, interviewed at Potrograd, said: "If the Central Powers start a great Eastern offensive, Germany must provide the driving power. The Turks can send only 40)000 men." Ho would hesitate to say such an offensive was impossible, but ho was confident wo could beat it. He would not say that tlie Austrian armies were crushed, but they wore badly demoralised. The Germans had filled the gaps with twenty divisions, thus stiffening the- Austrians, who, however, were still badly disorganised. Russia's early defeats wero due solely to lack of amnranition, but they had munitions now. Tho Austrians were so shattered by the drive, which still continues, that it would require 400,000 Germans !to coment them together. Asked about I the prospects of peace, General Alesieff said that it was probably some distance off. Neither side had attained its object. "There can bo no thought of peace now. The war must follow its inevitable and historic course." "THE WAR IS ALREADY WON" London, September 10. The "Daily Chronicle" publishes an interview with General Brusiloff, who declared: "Rumania's intervention secures my left flank. Austria and 'Hungary cannot much longer withstand tho hordes of their enemies. Tho army opposite mo in June and July has been almost entirely exterminated, and ha« been roplaced by a'conglomerate army of Austrians and Turks, who are resisting desperately in strong mountain positions. I am fully convinced that the British and French will rupture the German front. That is an absolute certainty. Tho war is already won, and I believe peace will come in August, 1917." ALL WELL IN THE WEST London, September 10. Lord Derby, who has returned from a visit to tho Somme, says he found the men full of confidence. Tho leaders are absolutely convinced of victory. Ho was much impressed by the progress made during the past two months. The High Commissioner reports: London, September 10. "Mr. Asquith has returned from _ a visit to tho front, and is satisfied with tho conditions and prospects." -

1914 JUSTIFIED ' i London, September 10. Mr. Winston Churchill, speaking at Chelmsford, said: "Don't let us talk too much 'after the war.' Tho tmo motto is 'look after the war,' and then 'after tho war' will look after itself. The Navy was never stronger; tho Army is "storming and thundering upon tho German lines. Its courage, devotion, and sacrifice is not excelled "by the troops of any country. The blockade is beginning to produce its effect in, Germany. General Brusiloff has shaken tlie Austrian Fjmpiro to its foundations, and has transformed to our advantage the wholo aspect of tho war. I never felt surer than I do now that the course taken in 1914 was absolutely right. Our children will live to bless the day and glorify the deed."