CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1916, Page 5

CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

REVIEW CF THE SITUATION, LORD KITCHENER'S STATEMENT. Received Feb. lfi, 5.."> p.m. London. Feb. 1.1 Lord Kitcnenor, i„ the House of Lord*, siiid the British forces in France had been increased by eight divisions. Adequate preparations bad been made to resist the threatened invasion of Egypt. Mr. Asquith annouaced that a conference of the Allies would be held in Paris to consider the political and strategical aspect of the war. He said that the situation of the British in Mesopotamia had improved materially. Received Feb. 16, G.oO p.ra, London, Feb. la. The House of Lords listened with intense interest to Lord Kitchener's review of operations. He said that although the Indian troops had been withdrawn from France our forces there had been materially increased by fully eight new. army divisions. General Aylmer was awaiting reinforcements, with a view to renewing his forward movement to .junction with General Townshend, who had sufficient supplies to maintain his forces for a considerable period. After some experience in working the voluntary group system he realised how seriously the numbers immediately obtainable would be affected by exemptions. Time alone would show what the results would be, but he trusted that on a future occasion he would be in a position to reassure the House of the chances of obtaining the numbers required. Referring to the Balkans, Lord Kitchener said that the securing of direct communication between the Centra 1 ! Powers and Constantinople was undoubtedly the principal object of the Austro-Germans in this theatre.

Since the recapture of Loos and the forward movement in the Champagne the lines in France and Flanders had practically been unchanged. Throughout the winter the morale of the French army had maintained the same high level and fighting qualities. Our neighboring ally was never greater nor more highly developed than at the present time. The British troops there, which were reinforced constantly, were carrying out active operations, and giving no rest and no respite to the enemy.

Regarding the Italian front, the positions occupied by the enemy were so strong that we were barred for the present from the possibility of a forward movement, which the splendid courage of the Italian troops was sure to eventually push home. Notwithstanding the heavy blockade and the consequent losses that Russia had suffered last summer—which would probably have overwhelmed a less tenacious and courageous people—the army wa s thoroughly reorganised and in readiness for the coming campaign.

The Austro-Germans had cleared all obstructions from th e patli to Constantinople, and the political situation nearest there was gravely affected. The Turkish army was able to organise a movement of troops either against Egypt or to strengthen their forces .in Mesopotamia, and simultaneously to bring far more powerful attacks to bear on our positions at Galllpoli. It was therefore decided to withdraw our troops from the peninsula to reinforce those at Salonika and in Egypt. The success of the withdrawal exceeded my most sanguine expectations. The Franco-British forces in Macedonia were gradually concentrated in strongly entrenched positions surrounding Salonika, and in order to emphasise the principle of unity among the Allies the supreme command was given to General Sarrail. It should be remembered that last winter an abortive attempt was made on the Suez Canal, which was easily brushed aside by a small British force; but a more serious attempt has been threatened by the Turks to invade Egypt from the east. We made adequate preparations to defend the Canal, and attempts by hostile Arabs on the western flank resulted in complete failure.

Lord Kitchener said he thought that this movement would still cause a certain feeling of unrest, but the admirable loyalty of the people of Egypt formed an. effective barrier to the penetration of these raiders into the cultivated areas. After alluding to the changes in the •higher commands, Lord Kitchener urged employers to do their best to release young men for service in the army, and concluded his speech by reaffirming his complete confidence in a victorious issue which would secure peace for this and' many succeeding generations.

Lord Crewe emphasised the financial assistance that England is giving her allies, and said that if our allies had been self-supporting the present taxation would have enabled us to pay a far larger share of the current expenses of the war than it was ever supposed or conceivable that any power could pay during the course of a great war. It was our duty to exert upon Germany every sort of pressure, naval, military, and commercial, and to do it quickly. The Address was agreed to.