The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1918.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4905, 26 June 1918, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1918.

It will be readily acknowledged that I very great weight always attaches to the public utter* * ances of Mr. Lloyd-George • with reference to the war situation. In his latest review of the position, the British Prime Minister, it will be observed, adopts a most cheery tone. His splendid optimism is certainly in striking contrast to the critical attitude which has marked the comments of some “arm-chair generals” attached to various important '■ Home journals. But we firmly believe that his optimism is fully' justified. Nobody would, of course, dream of suggesting that Mr. Lloyd-George has not at times found himself very wide of the mark when dealing beforehand with various aspects of the war situation. It is, however, quite plain that on such occasions he was not altogether to blame. In some instances the information on which he based his remarks turned out to be incorrect; in other cases, he perhaps took too much on himself in expressing opinions on matters which wotild unquestionably have been better left undiscussed. But lately he has proved 1 a much more reliable war prophet, and if he has erred it has been on the side of caution. He knows only too well that if he should stray from ■the straight and narrow path of absolute facts he is bound to be attacked on many sides. The worst crime that a statesman can commit is assuredly that of making statements which prove incorrect and woe betide a Cabinet Minister—and especially a Prime Minister—if it can afterwards be shown that there was no real ground for presenting a markedly optimistic utterance on an important war subject. Mr. LloydGeorge, it may be taken for granted, has the full facts in connection with the war situation before him. And what does he now say? “The position,” he remarks, “naturally will be very anxious in the next two months, but is gradually improving, and I can say without boasting that the Allied generals feel confidence as regards the issue.” ; There is no room for doubt as to what Mr. Lloyd-George has in mind in the way of the result of the struggle, for later on he adds that “all we need is to.keep steady and to endure and

The Improving War Situation.

there waß not tin? slightest doubt, after surveying the whole position, that our victory will be a complete one,” Mr. Lloyd-GeorgeV latest review of the war situation will cause a most painful impression in Hunland if his comments are allowed to be published ,by the Hun press. There is no “beating about the • bush” on his part: the Allies will j not be a party to a patched-up peace j and once again he has made it clear that no decision will be satisfactory unless it amounts to the utter crushing of the Huns’ aspirations to world domination. It will be agreed that his latest survey of the war situation is well timed. No better date could have been selected for a further reiteration of the Allies’ intention to win right out. The average man or the average woman is, doubtless, overawed by the extent of tho task which lies before the Allies. What is so disconcerting to many , is the fact that the West Front is but one section of the war zone. They cannot see that if the enemy be hopelessly defeated on that Front that war will be practically over. But such is the true 'position. The partners of the Huns will quickly cry enough when the Huns have been worsted—if they do not do so beforehand. If Mr. Lloyd-George be correctly informed the Huns are at present engaged on their final preparations for their last big effort on the West Front. It is very evident that it will be a desperate effort to wreck the Allied defences- He is not one whit dismayed- ‘‘We have,” he says, “every reason to be pleased with the present position as the enemy is profoundly disappointed.” The great confidence which Mr. Lloyd-George displays is, we believe, , shared in all -Allied - countries, and one and all will await the events of the near future without misgivings.