KING VISITS FRANCE

Evening Star, Issue 16195, 17 August 1916, Page 5

KING VISITS FRANCE

AND RETURNS SAFELY.

DANCER ZONE RISKED

ALONG SOMME FRONT.

GLIMPSES OF THE ANZACS.

Press Association—By Telegraph— Copyright. Australian aud N.Z. Cable Association.

LONDON, August 16

His Majesty the King returned from France to London yesterday in excellent health.

August 15

Mr Philip Gibbs writes: His Majesty tho King lias visited all parts of the front. All tho traffic aud turmoil of war surged about him in endless procession. The Empire's manhood passed him on the roads, not in review order, but as men going to do their work in the war.

Tho King took certain risks, and went well within the range of the enemy's gum*. He stood among the wreekag-o and ruins ot war, where the ground is a graveyard fcr our gallant men. His Majesty's presence in the danger -zone stirred tho troops .greatly. The King and -Sir Douglas Haig met President Poincare and Generals Joftre and Foch on Saturday, and attended service among tho troops on Sunday. His Majesty visited the King and Queen of the Belgians on Monday.

The eteential character of the visit wee its informality and tho absence of ceremony. His Majesty inspected tho men's billets without an escort. Ho passed 1,000 Australians assembled round their own headquarters, and they made a groat demonstration of loyalty. Tho King, addressing General Bhxlwood, expressed his high appreciation of his troops’ magnificent work. A little later, quite unexpectedly, there came down the road a largo body of Anzacs from Pozieres in full kit, with all the dirt and dust of battle upon them, whistling and singing. “ Hallo, boys,” shouted an officer; “ here’s the lying.” Thev halted, flung off their hats, and cheered tremendously. It was a fine, stirring scene, all the better for its unexpectedness. KING GEORGE’S ORDER, ALL PLAYING THEIR PART. SACRIFICES NOT IN VAIN. LONDON, August 15. The King’s General Order to the army in France has been sent to Sir Douglas Haig. His Majesty says : It has been a great pleasure and satisfaction to be with my artnies during the past week. I have, been able to judge of their splendid condition for war, and the spirit of cheerful confidence’ animating all ranks, -who are united in loyal co-operation with their chiefs and with one another. Since my last visit to the front there hae been almost uninterrupted fighting on parts of our line. The offensive recently begun had been resolutely maintained day and night. I had opportunities of visiting some scenes of Later desperate struggles and of appreciating the demands made upon your courage" and physical endurance in order to assail and capture positions prepared for.two year’s and stoutly defended to the last. I realised not only the splendid work done by those immediately in touch with the enemy*, but also the vast organisations behind the fighting Hue, honorable alike to the genius of the initiators and to the hearty band of workers. Everywhere there is proof that all men and women are playing their part. I rejoice to think that my noble forces are heartily seconded by all classes.

Ihe happy relations between mv armies and those of our French allies are equally noticeable between mv troops and the inhabitants or districts where &ey are quartered, and from whom they mave received a cordial welcome ever since they first arrived in France. Do not think I and your fellowcountrymen forget the heavy sacrifices the armies have made and the bravery and endurance they have displayed during the last two years 1 hitter conflict. These sacrifices have not been in vain'. Ihe arms of the Alii as will never be laid down until our cause has triumphed. f return home more than ever proud of you. May God guide yon to victory. SOMME LULL. LONDON, August 16. Sir Douglas Haig’s and the French offi;ial reports state that the situation is unchanged. THE GERMAN GENERAL. NKW YORK, August 16. _The "Berlin corespondent of the ‘New York Times’ writes: I spent two evenings with a man of mystery, who is Commandcr-in-Chief of the German armies on the Somme. His name is unknown even to the German people, and I am not permitted to disclose it. Asked if the English. offensive was weakening, ho replied; *• No. Despite, very heavy losses, the British come back again and again. They are stubborn foes. Though the British offensive may last two months, perhaps longer, I am prepared for a winter campaign. The British, though they are dogged and determined will not get past me.” ’ BELGIAN OCCUPATION. AMSTERDAM, August 16. Ihe Telograaf says the total number of Belgians executed for alleged high treason is estimated at 500, not including those summarily shot as “frano tireurs.” MUNITIONS. THE LOOS BATTLE ELEVEN MONTHS AGO. FAULTY BRITISH SHELLS. WHY THE “PUSH” ENDED. , r T1 i, „ LONDON, August 16. Mr Lloyd George, commenting upon the improvement in munitions, revealed the fact that the premature explosion of shells was so had at the battle of Loos that the firing of high explosive shells had to be abandoned. Now th© number that buret before the proper time was negligible. THE PRESENT OUTPUT. ENTIRJILY MODERN WEAPONS. GREAT SAVING OF EXPENSE. THE DEPARTMENT’S AIM: ..INDEPENDENCE OF AMERICA. LONDON, August 15. Tn the House of Commons, Mr Montague ("Minister of .Munitions), in a review of the work of the Munitions Department, said the output of shells at the beginnim’ of the war was so negligible that the per” cehtagc increases gave fantastic results For example, the 18-pounder and heavy shells output had increased 2,650 times, and for the last week of June, 1916. was lot times the average weekly output for 1914-15. with corresponding" increases i n other classes of artillery -munition®. Altogether we were now manufacturing weekly the equivalent of the entire pre-war stock of ammunition.

We could now turn out"in three or four' weeks machine guns equivalent to the total stock existing when the Ministry of Munitions was established. Our 'method of purchasing and limitation of the prices of metals had saved £41,000,000. He was not divulging a eccret in saying that the artillery had acquitted itself ftntirelv satisfactorily in the recent fighting. "The difficulties, of replacing damaged and worn-out guns had been satisfactorily surmounted.

The. conditions of modem warfare emphasised the value of long-range guns, and an ever-increasing range was demanded. Our unprepared ness for war had the advantage of. giving us entirely modern weapons. Reports from the front showed that there was a steady improvement in the quality of the ammunition. There had Deen a distinct measure of success, but against an enemy like Germany progress must be continuous. The Ministry of Munitions had been aiming at being independent of foreign supphes. 'When the Ministry was established American factories supplied 70 per cent, of the light shells. Wo were now independent of tins source of supply. Wo found the American heavy shells invaluable during the development of the British factories,'but it was expected that- the Home and Canadian output would ultimately make us independent. The cost of the factories was decreasing; in some cases it. had been completely covered in 6 or 12 months by the difference in cost between homo and foreign munitions. Mr Montague paid a tribute to the women, and asked AVhere was now the man who would deny women the civil rights which they had’earned? The Ministry’s programme would not be completed until the number of guns had increased many times and the ammunition was sufficient to maintain an ir.daflnito offensive along the whole front COLONIAL MANUFACTURE. . MELBOURNE, August 16. Senator Pearce states that- the Imperial authorities have accepted a sample lot of 18-pounder shell bodies. LOAN FROM UNITED STATES i _ NEW YORK, August 16. I An official announcement is made that | a new £50,000,000 loan to Great Britain is expected shortly. RE FLAG SMC WAR’S ; WASTAGE. | LONDON, August 15. Notices have been posted calling to the ! colors all men attaining the age of 13 | years and 8 months. They will not ho I liable for service abroad until they have attained the age of 19.