STIRRING ADDRESS TO A CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3047, 7 April 1917, Page 9

STIRRING ADDRESS TO A CONFERENCE

SIR W. ROBERTSON AND SIR JOHN JELLICOE SPEAK (Rec. April 6, 11.35 a.m.) , London, April 5. The Press Bureau states that General Sir W. Robertson, Chief of the General Staff, addressing a conference, including trade unionists, regarding the trade card soheme, admitted that the War Office makos mistakes like anyone else, but the country at the outbreak of war lacked a,, national war organisation, and it was no use crying over .spilt milk or blaming individuals. The whole nation was blameworthy. There were also mistakes in miljtary operations, but they were. marvellously few considering the necessity to improvise armies. ■ "Let us treat disgruntled criticism with contempt, and put our shoulders to the wheel." Germany had a long start, and it was difficult to catch up. Germany was retreating oh the Somme neither to fool us nor because she was defeated; the fact is she dare not stand up for further punishment in her old positions. No one retires in war voluntarily. Germany was not yet beaten, and was retiring in order to become stronger. Germany was now numerically stronger than ever. There were more divisions in the field than in 1916, a million more soldiers. She was enabled to do this by over-riding international and human laws in. Poland, Belgium, and elsewhere, also by compulsory civilians' service. "We need men to meet this desperate effort. It was impossible to put a limit on the Army's requirements of men. We need all who can be spared.' Our immediate needs are half a million before July, otherwise undoubtedly the war would be, prolonged. , _ Sir W. Robertson paid a tribute to the Empire's achievements and sacrifices hitherto, but appealed to everybody to put.forth further efforts and make even greater sacrifices beforeitwas too late, in order, with God's help,' to secure the freedom for which we were'compelled to fight. Sir John Jellicoe supported Sir W. Robertson in regard to the need fo; men for the Army. The Navy's business as far as the Army was concerned. • was to hold tie ring, get the to its destination and maintain communications. The Navy alone cannot win the war, which must be won ashore. He hoped if the German ships come out to fight they would, not return. Referring to the submarine menace, he said the submarines formerly attacked merchantmen on the surface; now they were forced to attack under water, which, although greatly limiting the submarines' activity, it was far. more difficult to counter. In order to obtain security, large numbers of small oraft were required; therefore he appealed to shipbuilding men to do their utmost. There was no one sovereign remedy for submarine methods. In dealing with them -there are a combination of devices, and fresh_ schemes were daily introduced. He added that whilst it was true submarines were not getting off scot free, there was undoubtedly a serious time before the country. Food economy was the order of the day. He paid a tribute to the gallafatry of the mercantile marine. The menace could successfully ;be combated if consumption were kept down to real necessities, and each worked hard in his own sphere, with the single aim of successfully ending the war at the earliest moment.—Aus.-N.Z. 1 Cable Assn.-Reuter.