ALLIES’ HOPEFUL OUTLOOK

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4905, 26 June 1918, Page 5

ALLIES’ HOPEFUL OUTLOOK

LLOYD-CEORCE REVIEWS SITUATION. AMERICA’S RALLY ON THE WEST. e> POSSIBILITIES OF THE AUSTRIAN SMASH. THE ENEMY’S TROUBLES—AND OURS. Eeuter’s Telegrams, (Received June 25, 9 p.m.) LONDON, June 24. In the House of Commons Mr Lloyd George reviewed the war situation. He said an amazing organisation' had enabled the bringing of a vast number of American troops to France since March 21—sufficient to age the Allies and discourage our enemies. As regards the relative strength of the contending forces, they were nearly equal on March 21 and since then, owing to new factors, it was impossible to make an up-to-date computation. Americans were arriving at a great rate and he, would be very surprised if. in a comparatively short time, the Allies were not stronger than the Germans. Cermany”s last reserves would lie thrown in in the next month or two, after which further reserves would only be obtainable by a drastic comb-out of her essential industries, and there were indications that Germany was already resorting thereto. The position naturally would be very anxious in the next two months, but it was gradually improving and he could say without boasting that the Allied generals felt confidence as regards the issue. “We are on the eve of very great events,” he said. “There may be a great blow delivered within the next few hours —certainly within the next few days—upon which the issue of the campaign may depend, but the Allies have never felt better prepared to meet it. The last attack upon the French, with Compeigne as the objective, was a failure and the same applies to the attack upon the British. The first attack, being a complete surprise, was a considerable success, but we have not sufficiently emp'iiasised our own successes. The Germans were very severely beaten on the front of the Third Army and were beaten two or three times when they got to the Fourth and second Armies. On the whole, the Germans sustained verv severe ..eversus and failed to achieve their objectives. ••We have every reason to be pleased with the present position,” he said, “as the enemy is proloundiy disappointed.” . He said the position m Russia was chaotic. Governments existed ail over the place and the situation changed hourly- It would be to our interests and also just and equitable that we should stand by Russia if she desired it. The Russian people weie be'nnniiic to realise the brutality of If hope and the difficulty was access. The only Bower wit-li access to Russia was Japan. Mr Lloyd-George, continuing, re ferred to the Italian .victory as one of the most portentous events of the veir which might ha\e infinitely greater results than other victories. The 8 Austrians were in fnU retreat, •uid the only question "as not vfie + Thcv were going to retreat but iatherYher reuU rerreat After had had inflicted upon it .one of the greatest disasters o of serious and more sympathetic with os the Allies when three-fifths of ty e imputation recognised that tueir onlv "chance of achieving anything in the' nature of freedom was a o-reat Allied victory and at a time when the whole of the Austrian prisoners belonging to the Czee - Slavs were actually congresatmg m order to come over to fight tor xne lilies in Siberia. It was very sigrnficent whatever our difficulties on the West front, that the difficulties of the Central Powers were infinitely great er The Central Powers had difficulties in Bulgaria and lYirkey Therefore while we should not build false hopes all we needed was to keep steady and to endure and he had not the faintest doubt, m whole position that our victory would be a complete one. Mr. Asquith joined Mi Llovcl Georo-e in congratulating the Ital tans on their marvellous gallantry and steadfastness m confrontmg a most formidable attack and then meeting it with brilliant dash and initiative. Their achievement was one of the most remarkable performances of the war and « ™ the greatest hope for the future. W e should let the Russian .people know, as they had more to gam ffiy an Allied victory and more to lose by a German victory than any other Pe T?ie newspaper draw attention to Mr Llovd-George s reference to Rus sta He gave little information, but . *y. +ba+, disintegration was indicated that am u actuT/bt JSwiUWed as to best-metod reaasjt to eud^tbo edlv regarding Japan. sss -m. tsjsrt- to the speech.