MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S MESSAGE TO AMERICA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 166, 3 April 1918, Page 5

MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S MESSAGE TO AMERICA

THE CRISIS OF THE WAR FRENCH AND BRITISH RELYING ON SPEEDY ASSISTANCE London, April 1. Mr. Lloyd George, in a message to the United States, Kays:—-"We are, at the crisis the war, attacked by an immense superiority -of German troops. Our Army has been forced to retire, but the retirement has been carried oijt methodically, before the pressure of a steady strcani of fresh German reserves, which are suffering enormous losses. The dogged pluck of our troops has for a moment checked the enemy's ceaseless onrush, and the French have now joined in the struggle; but this which is the greatest and most momentous in the history of the world, is only Throughout it the French and British are buoyed up with the knowledge that the great Republic of the West will neglect 110 effort .to hasten its troono and ships to Europel"— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' GENERAL PERSHING'S REQUEST ACCEDED TO. Paris, April 1. The French Government has decided to accede to General Pershing's request that American troops should fight in the present battle.—Reuter. AMERICANS TAKING OVER MORE FRENCH POSITIONS. New York, April 1. . A report from the American front states that the Americans are tailing over more French positions, and releasing the French to assist Sir Douglas Haig.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. TRANSPORTING TROOPS FROM AMERICA SHIPS BEING ..UTILISED TO FULLEST CAPACITY.. (Rec. April 2, 9.30 p.m.) Now York, March 30. American troops are being sent to I 1 ranee to the fullest capacity of ths transports. It is impossible to speed up the transportation of troops unless m ore ships are available. Conferences are being held with the object ot speeding up the dispatch of troops. Several divisions are ready awaiting transports. The Government will increase the reinforcements by curtailing grain shipments-and eliminating all non-essential froight.—Aus.-A.Z. Cable Assn. . AN IMPORTANT DECISION REACHED AMERICA TO SEND A LARGE FORCE TO ASSIST THE ALLIES. (Rec. April 2, 7.40 p.m.) .. , London, April 1. The Press Bureau states :-"As n result of the communications between President "Wilson and Mr. Lloyd George, and consultations with American rer)resentatives at London, Versailles, and on the West front important deawhereby a large force trained in America can be brought to the assistance of the Allies._ America is no \.°"} y 1 numbers of battalions to Europe during the coming critical months, but has 4W SU cli regiments as cannot be used 111 purely American divisions shall be brigaded with English and French while the necessity lask. Thus troops not fet trained sufficiently to fight as divisions will form part of Eoafioned divisions until they have completed training, and General lushing wishes to withdraw them to build up the American Army. Throughout the discussions President Wilson has shown the greatest anxiety to do the u mod to assist the Allies. Although the arrangement is of vital .importance it will not diminish the need for 'further raising troops in Britain already - foreshadowed. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. UNITED STATES TROOPS TURNED OYER TO THE ALLIES.(Rec. April 2, 11.30 p.m.) New Yf rk, March 31. Correspondents at American Headquarters state that the United States ATe P ricLTwiU e soo t^eM o orce ItohalHaS 61 troops/great ity in tl>e whole of the American zono. A long line of motor trucks and ««•« 4" . i ~L Trench veterans for the emergency service on the West SoT trained will cooperate with the French and British.—Aus.-N.Z.-Cable Assn. ENTHUSIASM IN NEW YORK. (Rcc. April 2, 11.30 p.m.) Now York, April 1. There is the greatest enthusiasm over the news that the Americans are readv to join the Anglo-French in checking the German offensive. The New York "World" says: "America is a real ally at last. —Aus.-k.Z. Cable Assn. AMERICAN AEROPLANES AVAILABLE. A Washington, March 31. 'A' rable message from General Pershing confirms the Pans announoethat General Pershing has mad available American aeroplanes for use fit t fiL German offensive. General Pershing adds: "Our division will be used when needed with the Anglo-French armies. They are confident and in fine spirits."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. "AMERICA EXPECTED TO DECLARE WAR AGAINST BULGARIA. (Rec. 'April 2, 11.30 p.m.) Now York, March 31. Consequent on the announcement that Bulgarian troops are engaged ton the West front, it is expected that America will shortly .deplare war on Bal-garia.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PERSHING SAYS THE SITUATION HAS IMPROVED. 1 (Rec. April 2, 9.30 p.m.) New York, March 30. " General Pershing has sent a message stating that the situation on .the West front has improved.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH WITHDRAWAL PRE-ARRANGED SUCCESSFUL COUNTER-OFFENSIVE TO BE EXPECTED, Washington, April 1. General Bell, giving evidence before the Senate Military' Committee, said: "When I was in France recently I was informed by the British that then plans to meet the German offensive bv a British withdrawal were in complete accordance with a pre-arranged plan. A successful ■ counter-offensive could now be expected."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE GERMAN DRIVE NEARLY SPENT. - New York, 'April 1. The Washington correspondent of the "New York Times" states that the Allied Missions in Washington believe that the German drive is nearly spent They estimate the British killed, missing and prisoners at about 10,000 /.? 100 000). The Germans have employed 1,200,000. men in the drive, of which number it is estimated that only 250,000 are effective for. immediate fighting. The rest are killed, wounded, taken prisoner, or worn-out troops. -Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PRESIDENT WILSON'S MESSAGE TO GENERAL FOCH "UNITY OF COMMAND THE MOST HOPEFUL AUGURY." Washington, April 1. President Wilson has sent a message to General Foch,' the new Generalissimo in which he says:—"l wish to congratulate you on your new authority. Such unity of command is the most hopeful augury of ultimate success. We are following with profound interest the bold and brilliant action of your 0t The United Press correspondent at Washington says it" is not known there whether General Foch's new command is supreme, or the command o) the army, of manoeuvre.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. AMERICAN NEWSPAPER OPINIONS. (Rec. April 2, 7.15 p.m.) • New York, March 30. Public opinion in America rejoices at General Foch's appointment to supreme command of the Allied armies in France. The "New- York \Urld reflects the general view when it says that the experience ot the last ten aaj s demonstrates that unity of command is vital if the Allies are ever to break Germany's military might. The appointment m itself is a battle won. lie "New York Times*' says: "The appointment is conclusive evidence that the \Uies contemplate a great counter-offensive. We believe a blow will be aimed it the German flank. When the German attack at Arras has stopped momentarily, in that moment General Foch will enter."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE KING'S VISIT TO THE FRONT. EXTRAORDINARY ENTHUSIASM AROUSED. ; London, April 1. Extraordinary enthusiasm marked the King's visit to the front. Everywhere the peasants and the British and French troops loudly cheered His Majesty. The visit was arranged at a couple of hours' notice. His Majesty remarked: "I would like to see those fellows over there, and shake their hands." During tho visit ho saw two New Zealand battalions and talked with many of tho men.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.