THE WAR SITUATION REVIEWED

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 238, 26 June 1918, Page 5

THE WAR SITUATION REVIEWED

SPEECH BY MR. LLOYD GEORGE CONFIDENCE IN THE ISSUE OF THE NEXT TWO MONTHS (Rec. June 25, !)' p.m.) London, June 21. In the Rouse of Commons Mr. Lloyd George, reviewing tho war situation, eaitl that amazing organisation had enabled a vast number of American troops lo be brought to France since March 21. sufficient to encourago tho Allies and discourage their enemies. As regarded the relative strength of the contending forces they wero nearly equal on March 21. Since then, owing to new factors in the situation, it was impossible to make an up-to-date computation. Tho Americans wero arriving at a great rate, and he would be very surprised if in a comparatively short .timo tho Allies were not Btrongcr than the Germans. Germany's last reserves would be thrown in in tho next month or two, after which further reserves would bo obtainable only by n drastic cornl>-out of essential industries, and there were indications that Germany already was resorting to that. The position naturally would bo very anxious for the nexv, two months, but it was gradually in proving. He could say without boasting that tho Allied generals felt confidence regarding tho issue. Evo of Great Events. Wo were on the evo of very great events. "A great blow may bo delivered vitMu the next few hours, certainly within the next few days, upon which the issue of the campaign may depend, but the Allies have never felt better prepared to meet it. The last attack upon the French, with Compiegue as tho objective, was a failure, and tho same applied to the attack upon tho British. ' The enemy's first attack, being u complete surprise, was a considerable success, but we had not sufficiently emphasised oiir own successes. The Germans were very severely beaten on tho front of tho Third Army, and beaten two or threo times when they got lo the Fourth and Second Armies. On the whole, tho Germans have sustained se'vero reverses, and failed to achieve their objectives. AY'o have every TCason to be as pleased with the present position as the enemy is profoundly disappointed." The Outlook in Russia. The situation in Russia, added Mr. Lloyd George, was that a chaotic Government existed all over'tho place, and the situation changed every hour. It would be to our interests, and also just and equitable, that we should stand by Russia if she desired it. The Russian peoplo were beginning to realise the brutality of German treatment, and what German militarism meant. Hatred of Germany was becoming deeper, and Russia was more ready now than some months ago to complete any move to oust tho Germans. The situation was full of hope. The difficulty was one of access. Tho only Power with access to Russia was Japan. Tho Italian Victory. Mr. Lloyd George, continuing, referred to the Italian victory as one of the most portentious events of tho year, which -might havo infinitely greater results than other victories. The Austrians wero in full retreat, and the only question was not whether they were going to retreat, Jiut whether they could retreat. After committing the whole strength to this great offensive, tho Austrian Arniy had had inflicted upon it one'of tho greatest disasters of the war. This, happen- ' ing at a lime of serious internal discontent, when three-fifths of tho population were out of sympathy with the objects of the war, and more sympathetic with tho aims of the Allies; when three-fifths of the population recognised that their only chance of achieving anything in the nature of freedom was to secure a great Allied victory; at a timo wlten tho whole of tho Austrian'prisoners belonging to tho Czeeho Slavs wero actually congregating in order to come over to fight for tho Allies in Siberia. It was very significant. Whatever our difficulties were on the Weßt front, the difficulties of the Central Powers were infinitely greater. The Central Powers also had difficulties in Bulgaria and Turkey. "Therefore, whilo we should not build false hopes, all we need is to keep steady to endure.1 havo :iot the faintest doubt, on surveying tho whole position, that our victory will be a complete one." Mr. Asquith joined with Mr. Lloyd George in congratulating the Italians on their marvellous gallantry and steadfastness in confronting a most formidable attack, and then meeting it with brilliant dash and initiative. Their achievement was one of Ihe most remarkable performances of tho wur, and filled us with tho greatest hope for the future. We should let tho Russian people know, as they had more to gain by an Allied victory, and more to lose by a German victory than any other people. NEWSPAPER COMMENT, (Ecc. June 25, 11,15 p m.) London, June 21. The newspaper* draw attention to Mr. Lloyd George's reference to Russia. He gave little information, but indicated that the process of disintegration was complete. Britain, though actuated by good will, was puzzled as to the best methods of assisting to ;nd the state of chaos. Mr. Lloyd George was markedly non-committal' regarding Japan, speaking with the greatest circumspection. M. Livitnoff, the Bolshevik representative in England, listened to tho speech. —Reuter.