"END OF THE WAR WILL LOOK AFTER ITSELF."

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 237, 22 December 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

"END OF THE WAR WILL LOOK AFTER ITSELF."

" CONCENTRATE ON THE MIDDLE" SAYS SIR W. ROBERTSON.

The Duke of Devonshire, GovernorGeneral Designate of Canada, was the guest at a dinner at the Canada Club at th o Savoy Hotel, London, recently. Sir George H. Perley, High Commissioner of Canada, was in the chair. Mr Balfour, responding to the toast of "The Naval and Military Forces of the Empire," proposed by Earl Grey, evoked loud cheers when h© said that the British Fleet still ruled the seas. The British troops in the trenches were the finest in the world. There was nothing comparable to the British infantry, and our pride in our troops would be vain if it did not rest, and securely rest, on the greatness of the British Navy. (Cheers.)

Sir William Robertson, Chkf of the General Staff, replying for the Army, said: "As regards the general military ■""" situation, I think myself that the country and the Empire ought to be mora than satisfied with what the Army has achieved, considering the start we had. Of course, the end is not in sight yet. I would ask you to remember that it took us two years to begin. We have got through the beginning stage. We are now in the middle stage. "Do not ask me to predict when the end will be. Ido not count too much on that question. Let us concentrate on the middle, and the end will look after itself. (Cheers.) The end will come when the enemy is beaten. The enemy can be beaten in only one way—by hard fighting—and I am convinced that if we stick firmly to our resolution and carry this business right through, and take timely measures to support and strengthen our troops, who are fighting so gallantly in so many different parts of the world—with God's help we may look forward to victory crowning our efforts, and of being able to wrest such a peace from the enemy as we have said we mean to have."