A FIGHTING GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 163, 30 March 1918, Page 6

A FIGHTING GENERAL

MAIDEN SPEECH IN PARLIAMENT. The feature of tho third reading debate in the House of Commons on the Man-Power Bill was the maiden speech of Lieutenant-General Sir Aylmcr Hunter- Westou, the new member for North Ayrshire. Ho roused the House to cheers by his appeal to young men at home to join- the joung men at the front, and by his confident assertion that we are sure to win if we ouly "stick it out." "If w-e-do not beat Germany now she will attack us again," he said. "To realise what a fate you would lay up for your children and for yuiir old age if you left Germany fr"* to 'Bttackusat her-pleasure,-come.aml sco the conquered..' territory,, that land of desolation, destruction-, -and' death. I will tell you of a-town in Northern France out of-which we had just driven tho Germans. The women hailed us as deliverers, and greeted us with sliowere of flowers. I. as commander of the advanced guard, was besought by a sturdy peasant woman to press.-on my troops and kill, kill, kill the retreating fiends who had outraged her daughter publicly and before her very eyes. Can you wonder that I appeal through you to the men and' women of Groat Britain and Ireland to support the Government in their determination to give the Army the young men it needs to carry this war through to victory? _ "May I appeal to every man who is under 25, and is therefore indispensable in the Army and nowhere else," to coma willingly and share : with the men now fighting the glory of what is'now occurring' and join hereafter in the remaking of the United : Kingd6m?" Ho appealed also for a cessation of strikes, which mean wounds and death'.al the front. .. • '. A review of the general military situation gave no' cause for despondency. "Our position is good, and when the Americans appear in full strength it will bo -overwhelming. Until -then wo must expect very, bard fighting if tho enemy choose to attack. We hope they will attack, for if they do they will certainly be defeated, and will suffer very, heavy losses." There will-be tome reverses, and the nation must brace herself to meet them. "If only the Empire to herself be true, if the nation, whicli is the 'Army at home, co-oper-ates loyally with the Army, which }s the nation at the front, wo are certain of ultimate victory and nf the only pence which «m endure. We need men, and especially young men." was the end of'a stirring, soldier-like speech. "If only we stick it out .we are certain to win' through."