THE NATION'S PERIL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 173, 11 April 1918, Page 5

THE NATION'S PERIL

, 1 MR. LLOYD GEORGE FACES THE FACTS THE TRUTH ABOUT THE GREAT BATTLE CONSCRIPTION FOR IRELAND HEW GERMAN BLOW ■ HEAVY-ATTACK ON TENMILE FRONT The news to-day gives pause for sober reflection. Mr. Lloyd George has delivered a grave pronouncement on the military situation, and frankly faced what he describes as a great national emergency. After reviewing the odds at the commencement of the great battle, which in point of numbers and in quality of the infantry, cavalry, artillery, and aerial arms were to our advantage, as against the advantage held by an enemy about to take the offensive—the secrecy of the time and place of attack—lie instances a remarkable forecast by General Sir Henry "Wilson of what would, and actually did, happen. He refers to the retreat of the Fifth Army and tho ■ recall of General Gough, and after touching on other aspects of the situation goes on to dwell with great emphasis upon tho gravity of the crisis, which necessitates a supreme effort if the "Western peril is to be countered and the Prussian defeated. Every man is wanted, and quickly, and Ireland-is no longer to bo allowed to shelter behind her grievances. She is to have conscription immediately. Sho is also to have self-government. The Premier was subjected to a running iire of hostile comment from t"he Irish benohes when declaring the Government's intentions. The enemy in the West has launched a . blow at the British and Portuguese front between Lens and Armentieres, and according to the latest dispatches has secured a footing at certain points of our first line. The pressure on the French front continues. URGENT CALL FOR MORE MEN BRITISH PRIME MINISTER EMPHASISES GRAVE NATIONAL EMERGENCY FRANK STATEMENT ABOUT THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright (Bee. April 10, 7.35 p.m.) London, April 9. The Houso of Commons showed intense interest in the speech delivered by the Prime Minister (Mr. Lloyd George) on the subject of the present mili-tary-crisis. The House was crowded, but thero was an entire absence of excitement. The Prime Ministerexplained to tho House that it was diffioult to get a clear and reliable narrative of a battle extending over fifty miles of front % Tho Staff and generals were naturally engaged in concentrating their attention on the operations of the enemy; and until that strain was relaxed it would be difficult to ascertain exactly what had happened. Parliament would have been summoned earlier, but ever since the battle began tho Government had been engaged almost hourly in concert •with the Allies in providing the necessary measures to assist the armies to deal with the present emergency. The Onening Odds—A Remarkable Forecast. Referring to the -position at tho beginning of the battle,' the Prime Minister said that despite heavy casualties during 1917 the British Army in France was considerably stronger on January 1 than on tho same date of the previous year. Up till October or November of 1917 tho German combatant strength in France was as two to the Allies' three. Then came tho collapse of Russia, and the Germans hurried Tip their released divisions from the East front. They also obtained a certain measure of Austrian support, but notwithstanding this also, notwithstanding the fact that thoy had added a considerable number of German divisions from tho East, when the battle began tho combatant strength of the German Army in the "West was not quite equal to the total strength of the Allies. The Germans were slightly inferior m infantry, inferior in artillery, considerably inferior in cavalry, and undoubtedly inferior in aircraft. Tho Germans, however, had ono or two great advantages. As tho attackers, they knew whore and when they meant to strike. It was always difficult to tell when an attack was coming. The problem was closely considered by tho Military Staff at Versailles, and General Sir Henry Wilson (the British representative) concluded that the- German attack was coming south of Arras on a very wide front. It would be made approximately by ninety-five divisions, with the object of breaking throush the British lines.- These conclusions were reached two or three months ago. It was ono of tho most remarkable forecasts of an enemy's intentions ever made. Sir Henry "Wilson also remarked that the attack would probably be secured to the extent of penetrating tho British lino to half the distance of the front attacked. Another advantage the Germans possessed was that of unity of command. Dry, misty weather also helped them. Thev were actually within a few yards of our front lino at some parts before they were observed. | Critical Phases—The Retreat of the Fifth Army. Reviewing the various phases of tho battle, he said that at ono time the situation undoubtedly was very critical—when tho enemy broke through between the Third and Fifth Armios-and was only retrieved by the magnificent conduct of the troops, who frustrated the enemy's purpose The country could not sufficiently thank tho troops for the superb valour and grim tenacity with which they faced overwhelming hordes and clung to their positions. Once more the cool,pluck of tho British soldier who refuses to acknowledge defeat saved Europe. His remarks covered all ranks—generals officers, and soldiers—and drew no distinctions. It would take too long a time to name all tho generals who had distinguished themselves. Until all the circumstances which led to tho retirement of tho Fifth Army were known, until its failure to hold tho lino on tho Somme—at least until the Germans had brought up their guns—and perhaps its failure adequately to destroy the bridges were explained, it would bo unfair to censure General Gough (the Commander), but until these circumstances wore cleared up it would bo equally unwise- that the British Army should retain his fcrvices in tho field of war. Cabinet had therefore- thought it necessary to recall him until the facts had been examined and laid beforo tho Government by its military advisers. Facing the Facts. Tho enemy, continued the Premier, had gained a great initial success. It was no use not accepting the facts. But tho onomy had failed so far as his main object was concerned. "We would bo guilty of a great and fatal error if wo underestimated the gravity of the prospect. The enemy was much too near Amions for comfort and security, and bad succeeded for tho time being in compelling ono of our great armies to retire. Cabinet took every step necessary to hurry up reinforcements. Never had such largo numbers of men crossed tho Channel in so short a timo. He paid a tribute to tho speed with which the French reserves had arrived, and tho loyal assistonce they had given the liritish. The position hud been momentarily established, but it was clear that the Germans were preparing for anothor and perhaps even greater attack. Tho enemy's claims to captures of guns and prisoners had beon greatly exaggerated. Wo had not only been able to roplnro tho lost guns, but had a very substantial reserve, and also great losorves of ammunition hers and in France. The same applied to the aircraft. He felt confident that our armies, generals, and soldiers were quite ready for the next encounter. With regard to the material and dramatic assistance of the Americans, the Allies, ho said, had looked forward to a large American army in France in the spring, but it had taken longer than had been anticipated to train the soldiers. If America wanted to complete her divisions it would be impossible for her fine troops in

large number to participate in this battle or campaign, although it might be tho decisive battle of tho war. Certain proposals were therefore submitted to Mr. Balcor (Secretary for War) ami President Wilson, with the result that tho American troops available were brigaded with the Allied troops, and their fighting strength immediately brought to bear in the struggle. Versailles Council Justified. Tho Premier deprecated discussion on the question of tho Versailles Council. Tho battlo had justified the wisdom of that policy. ATter the battlo commenced not merely tho Government, but the commanders In the field were so convinced of the importance of more complete strategical unity that they agreed.to the appointment of General Foch to tho supreme direction of the strategy of all tho Allied armies on the West front. General Foch was one of the most brilliant soldiers in Europe. When we were in a similar plight in tho first Battle of Yprcs. General Foch rushed a French army thero by every conceivable expedient, and undoubtedly holped us to win that battle. The Premier urged the nation at homo'to stand firm for the united control of tho strategical operations of our armies at the front. AVe were fighting a very powerful^foe, whose successes were mainly duo to the superior unity of )n' s strategic plans. The Premier ridiculed the suggestion that our forces had been dissipated bv subsidiary enterprises. Not a single division bad been sent from ¥ ranee eastward. As regards Italy, but for the presence of tho French and British divisions there the Austrians would presently bo free to throw the whole of their strength on the Western front. Tho Salonika, forces had been reduced by two divisions. There was only one white division in Mesopotamia: in Egypt and Palestine together thero were only threo white divisions. Tho remainder wore either Indian or mixed divisions. Ho asked the House to consider what this meant. There was tho menace to our Eastern Empire through Persia and Afghanistan. He expressed great gratitude to India for the magnificent way in which she had come to help the Empire in this emergency. It was not the fact that we had three divisions in Egypt and Palestine and one in Mesopotamia that had enabled us to hold our own. Wc owed it to the splendid troops in India, who were more than a match for the Turks on many stricken fields. Prolonged Battles Expected; Extreme Sacrifices Demanded. The casualties, said the Premier, continuing, could not yet be accurately, stated, but Sir Douglas Haig had assured'him that tho German claims were quite impossible. Our losses, of course, had been considerable. The enemy had definitely decided to seek a military decision this year, whatever the consequenco to himself. This meant prolonged battles. The nation had now entered the most critical stngo of the war. The present lull meant that tho hurricano was gathering its strength for a fiercer outbreak, and before it was finally exhausted thero would be many more battles. The fate of the Empire, of Europe, and of liberty throughout the world, might depend on the success with which oven the very last of these attacks was countered. The Government had therefore proposed to submit recommendations to assist the country and the Allies to weather the storm. Theso recommendations would involve extreme sacrifices by largo classes of the. population. Nothing would justify them but the most extreme necessity, and the fact that wo wore fighting for all that is essential and most sacred in national life. More Men—lreland Must Do Her Share. There were still seven or eight months in which the fight could continue, and everything depended on our keeping onr strength right to tho end. We could do it with America's aid, but oven then wo could not feel secure unless we were prepared ourselves to make even greater sacrifices than we had dono hitherto. He know what would happen if the Government's demands were not acceded to. We must look ahead. The Germans were calling up their 1920 class, which would provide for this campaign 550,000 young men for the . battleline. We already had raised for the Army during the first quarter of 1918 more than that quarter's proportion of the original estimated minimum required for tho present year. It was not merely necessary to have the men, but to have them quickly. The Premier then proceeded to discuss the proposals in the Man-Power Bill. He regretted that the first of theso was to raise the military age to fifty, a.nd some specified cases to fifty-five; the latter age referred to men with special qualifications, training, and experience. It was proposed further to use the Government's powers to cancel exemptions, and also that His Majesty might, by proclamation declaring that a national emergency had arisen, direct that any exemptions from military service should cease to have effect. Referring to Ireland, Mr. Lloyd George said that an emergency had arisen necessitating men of fifty and hoys of eighteen joining the Army. He felt perfectly certain that it was impossible to justify any longer the exclusion of Ireland. (Cheers, and Irish cries of dissent.) No Home Rulo proposal ever submitted to the House of Commons ever proposed to deprive the Imperial Parliament of full powers on all questions relating to tb.2 Army and Navy, so there was no derogation of any national right involved. The struggle in whioh we were engaged was just as much Irish as English. It was even more so. It was- more Irish, Scotch, and Welsh than English. Ireland, through her representatives, at the beginning of war voted for the war and supported tho war. Thero was no dissenting voice among her representatives. America was in the war. "There are more Irishmen in the United States than in Ireland. They were subject to conscription. Irishmen in Great Britain were subject to conscription, and also Irishmen in Canada. It was indefensible that wo should ask youths of eighteen and a half and married men of fifty, with families, in England, Scotland, and Walesto fight for the freedom "and independence of a small Catholio nationality in Europo while Irishmen aged from twenty to twentyfive were not obliged to take up arms for a cause which was as much theirs as ours. It was illogical and unjust. Uproar In the Irish Benches. From this stago the Premier was subjected to a running hostile commentary from the Irish benches. The Premier proceeded to say that the Irish battalions were becoming steadily depleted, and were now half filled with Englishmen. It was therefore proposed to extend tho Military Servico Act to Ireland under the same conditions as in Britain. Thero was no register in Ireland. Hence it would take some weeks before the enrolment began. Thero was further considerable uproar, and cries of: "Ireland will not have it at any price!" The Premier, continuing, said that there must be no delnj'. Mr. William O'Brien :_ "That's a declaration of war against Ireland!" Tho Premier, continuing, said that tho Government without delay intended to ask Parliament to pass a measure for self-government in Ireland. There was renewed Irish uproar, a n( i cr i es 0 f "Keep it!" But, said the Premier, thoro must be no misapprehension. The questions of Homa Rulo and Irish conscription did not hang together. Each must be taken on its merits. Irish cries: "You can keep bothl" The Premier: "That is tho new view as regards Home Rule. The report of the Irish Convention has afforded another opportunity of approaching this vexed question with some hope of succoss." (Irish uproar.) Mr. Devlin, interrupting, asked whether he could move tho-adjournment of the debate until tho Convention's proposals were before tho House. ' The Speaker said that the motion could be put after the Premier's speech. Tho Premier, continuing, said that he understood that the Convention's report had been reached by a majority, but he was afraid that that majority was insufficient to enable tho Government to say that it represented a substantial agreement. That meant _ that the Government must accopt tho responsibility for submitting to Parliament, with tho guidance di the Convention's report, such proposals for the establishment of self-govornment in Ireland as seemed just, and could bo carried without violent controversy. The Government proposed to introduce such a measure at an early date, and advise tho House to pass it without delay. Whon largo numbors of youths would be brought into the fighting line it was right that thoy should feel that they were not fighting to establish a principlo abroad which did not apply to them. (Irish uproar.) Tho Premier proceeded: "The appeals which we addressed to tho Dominions produced a fine response. (Cheers.) Thoy have already furnished about a million magnificent fighting men, and all arc taking the necessary steps to send more." The Premier hoped that it would be possible to to pass the proposals this week. (Irish cries of "Never!" and cheers from other parts of the Houso.) Time pressed, said the Premier. Every day was important. The Government regretted such extremely drastic measures, whioh would injuro many trades, but considering the nature of the emergency, no Government would accept responsibility of proposing less. (Cheers.) He would not say if this battle went against us the war would bo over, because so long as we had a ship afloat we would Dot accept ji German peace. (Loud cheers.) But if the battlo were won, as he believed it. would be, then the doom of Prussianism was sealed. (More Irish uproar.) The enemy had attacked at the height of his strength. We had been deserted by a powerful Ally. Anothor and more powerful Ally was not yet ready to exert tho tenth of its might. On the other hand this battle might exhaust tho German reserves, while America was only now bringing in tho first instalment of her first corps. If we wisjied to avoid a war lasting for years the battle must be won now, and to win it wo must be ready to throw in all our resources. The measures we were now taking might well be the means of, winning a decisive victory.. With these measures, and the promise of Amerioan aid, we need not fear tho ultimate issuo. ' Mr. Asquith, following the Premier, said that if, as ho believed, they were confronted with the most grave peril which had ever menaced the Empire, thero was no sacrifice which tho House would not be prepared to mako. He appealed to tho Premier to give a littlo more time for the consideration df the Man-Power Bill. Irish Motion Thrown out. Mr. Dillon, who followed Mr. Asquith, moved the adjournment of the debate. Ho warned the, Government that they were entering upon a mad course in endeavouring to force conscription upon Ireland. He asked whom the Premier had consulted as regards the question of conscription in Ireland. He hoped, for the sake of winning the war, that the War Cabinet's methods of dealing with the war were different from the methods of dealing with Ireland. After discussing Mr. Dillon's motion for an hour, the Government moved tho closure, which was carried by 310 votes to 85. Mr. Dillon's motion was defeated by 323 votes to 80, after which tho discussion was resumed. BILL VOTED IN. (Rec. April 11, 1.15 a.m.) London, April 10. The Bill was brought in by 299 votes to 80— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LABOUR AGREES WITH PRESIDENT WILSON ORGANISED BRUTALITY MUST BE DESTROYED. London, April 9. Mr. A. Henderson, M.P. (Secretary to tho Labour Party), addressing tho London Wesleyan Mission, said that during tho past fortnight Britain had faced a most trying ordeal, but had displayed tinshakcablo confidence. The latest attack had unified the peoplo and diawn them together for a concerted and determined effort. Mr. Henderson said thoy had favoured a policy of conciliation, behoving that too interesls of humanity demanded that the war should not bo continued longer than was necessary to secure an honourable, cloan, and democratic peace, but tho latest military aggression involved n. temporary suspension of moral and diploma tie effort. The offensive, following on tho shameful treatment of Russia, mado conciliation difficult. Mr. Henderson agreed with President AVilson that organised brutality, coupled with an arrogant autocracy, must bo destroyed. Although tho continuance of tho light would ho costly, wo must await a. change in the mentality of the German Government and people.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

BRITISH DESTROYER SUNK (Ree. April 10, 11.50 p.m.) London, April 0, 11.30 p.m. The Admiralty report: A destroyer was sunk on April 4 as the result of a collision in foggy weather. All hands , are missing.—Aus,-N,Z. Cable Assn.Reutcr.

BELGIAN RELIEF SHIP MINED Amsterdam, April f). The Belgian relief ship Comto de Let Dena eyer struck a mine and sank off the Dogger Bank. Twelvo of those on board were drowned. —Aus.-N.Z. Oable . Assn.