MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE SPIRIT OF THE ARMIES. UTMOST CONFIDENCE PREVAILS. THE GERMANS' HEAVY PRICE. London, May 5. Mr. Lloyd George, interviewed by Renter, was asked his impressions of his visit to the armies. He said: "I saw General? Foeh, Haig. Petain, Pershing. Byng, Eawlinson. and other officers of the higher command. They are all very confident. "I also saw a very large number of regimental officers and soldiers who have been in the actual fighting line for the last six week* doing very strenuous work. Their confidence is also amazing. I met no pacifists and no pesst. mists among them. "They could not in the. Vast understand the wrangles in certain quarters in England, which seemed to proceed on the assumption that they had been defeated and that the only question of importance was who was to blame. Apart from the mishap of the first few days, which they all recognised, they are confident that they are winning and inflicting great losses on the enemy. "If the Germans get the ground, the Generals said, we will make them pay an enormous price. In these offensive?, the Generals said, you can always buy land if prepared to pay the purchase price, but the cost for the Germans is great and inerea.-iug. The Generals are eertain that the Germans will soon he sorry they committed themselves to these attacks, even if they are not already so." That was the general feeling the Premier found among the men of all ranks in the An»lo-French armies. Asked what about the American army, the Premier said that a good number were already there, and many more would pour in steadily during May. The French who saw their fighting in the battle lower down the line said they were first-class fighting material, full of courage and resource, and very keen. The Germans had rendered at least two great services to the Allied cause. They had accelemted the advent of the American troops and made the unity command at last a reality. The French and British are fighting in close comradeship, each with a full appreciation of the qualities of the other. "The message I bring from the British army to the people at home is: *Be of good cheer; we are all right'.''—Reuter. OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS. yiSCOUNT FRENCH GOES TO IRELAND. Received May 6, 11.55 pjn. London, May 5. The Press Bureau states that Field Marshal Viscount French has been appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and that Mr. E. Shortt, K.C., M.P., has been appointed Chief Secretary. The Right Hon. H. E. Duke, K.C., MJP., late Chief Secretary for Ireland, has been appointed a Lord Justice of Appeal.— Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association and Bente;