SITUATION REVIEWED BY LLOYD GEORGE.

Taihape Daily Times, 26 June 1918, Page 5

SITUATION REVIEWED BY LLOYD GEORGE.

LONDON, June 24

In the House of Commons, Mr. Lloyd George, in reviewing the war situation, said that amazing organisation had enabled the bringing of a vast number of American troops to France since the 21st Marcn —sufficient to encourage the Allies and discourage their enemies. 'As regarded the relative strength of the contending forces, they were nearly equal on the 21st March. Since then, owing to new "factors, it was impossible to make an up-to-date computation. The Americans were arriving at a great rate, and he would be very surprised if in a comparativelfiy short time the Allies were not stronger tnan the Germans. Germany's last reserves wouia be thrown in during the next month or two, after •riiich further reserves would be obtained only by a drastic comb-out of essential industries, and there were Indications that Germany was already resorting thereto. The i position, naturally, would be very anxious for the next two months, but it was gradually improving. He coulc say, without boasting, that the Allied generals felt confidence regarding the issue. We were on the eve of a very great event. There might be a great blow delivered within the next fewhours, certainly within the next few days, upon which the issue of the campaign might depend; but the Allies never felt better prepared to meet it. The last attack upon the French, with Compeigne as the objective, was a failure and the same applied to the attacks upon the British. The first attack, being a complete surprise, was a considerable success, but we not sufficiently emphasised our own successes. The Germans had been very severely beaten on our front. Their third army had beer, beaten two or three times, when they got to the ! Fourth and Second armies. j On the whole the Germans sustaini ed severe reverse's, and failed to achieve their obiectives."' We'liad every reason to be'as pleased with tne presnt, position as , the enemy ? was profoundly disappointed.'." r_". ,**,," The situation in'Russia,' said Mr Lloyd ..G.eorgc, was, chaotic. Government existed all over the place, and the situation changed hourly. It would be to our interests —and it would also be just and equitable—that we should stand by Russia if she desired it. iThc .Russian peopl<e| were' "beginning to realise the brutality of German militarism meant. Hatred of Germany was becoming deeper. . Russia was more ready now than months ago to complete any move to oust the Ger--mans. The situation was full of. hop 1 e; The difficulty was one of access. ; fhe i only power with access to Russia was Japan. Mr. Lloyd George ocntinuing, re-.rfGreed,-,to. the., Italian victory, as; one of the most -.portentous events j of the year, which might ~• greater results than,- other., victories. ..The Aus.trians were in p - .full retreat. "and the'only question.-'.was: Not whether they. .were,. going, to retreat, but whether they could retreat. After committing their whole strength to the i great offensive, the Austrian army had had inflicted upon it one of the greatest disasters of the war. This was very significant, happening at a time of serious Austrian discontent; when three-fifths of the population , recognised that the only chance of achieving anything in the nature of freedom was to secure a great**Allied victory; at a time when the whole Austrian prisoners belonging to the Czecho-Slavs were actually congregating in order to come over to fight for the Allies in Siberia. Whatever our difficulties on the West front, the difficulties of the Central Powers were infinitely greater. The Central Powers also had difficulties in Bulgaria and Turkey. Therefore, while we should not build false hopes, all we needed was to keep steady to endure, and he had not the faintest doubt, on surveying the who'e position, that our victory would be a complete one.

Mr. Asquith joined 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 is one of the most remarkable performances of the war, and has filed us with the greatest hope for the future. Wo should let the Russian people know, as they have more to gain by an Allied victory, and more to lose by a German victory than any other people. Newspapers draw attention to Mr. Lloyd George’s reference to Russia. He gave little information, but indicated that disintegration is complete. Britain, though, actuated by goodwill, is puzzled as to the best method to assist to end the chaos. Mr Lloyd George was markedly non-committal regarding Japan,- speaking with the greatest circumspection.