THE WAR SITUATION.
REVIEWED BY MR BONAR LAW.
GERMAN HOPES FROM RUSSIA
FULL REALISATION UNLIKELY
RELATIVE STRENGTH ON WEST
FRONT.
MARGIN IN ALLIES' FAVOR
SALONIKA POSITION UNSATISFACTORY.
GAINS IN MESOPOTAMIA AND PALESTINE IMPORTANT.
(Received March 9, 8.45 a.m.)
LONDON, March 8. In his speech in the House of Commons, surveying the war situation, Mr Bonar Law said: "We have knowledge that the Germans promised Turkey that they would expel the British from Mesopotamia, but they have been forced to abandon their plans. Though Germany hopes for much food from Russia, the JBritish Government has information that the food produced in Russia this year will barely supply herself. From .every point of view it is unlikely that Germany will be able jto exploit Russia. "We probably have a slight superiority in men and guns on the Western front, .and we are overwhelmingly superior in the air. Our forces in France have --been working to the utmost to strengthen the defences, and the results .are w-Onderful. We used more barbed wire in January and February than -during the whole of U917." Mr Bonar Law added that he was i somewhat sceptical .about the German ' offensive. "The*general position at Salonika." Mr Bonar Law continued, "is unsatisfactory, but. this is due to Russia's collapse. W re did not expect a year ago to he purely on the defensive. The Genera] commanding recognised that the position at Salonika might become dangerous, as the 'Central Powers, with better communications, might send forces which it would be difficult, perhaps itnpossible, for us to meet, but Germany's man-power is not inexhaust-. Me, and she cannot do everything at once. She would nay dearly for every yard of advance. It is not difficult to justify the expedition. If at had not been sent Germany/ would haye controlled the Greek harbours, which are vital for us. If the enemy secured them and used them &s submarine "bases it would be almost impossible to keep up i communications with Egypt. I i "The victories in Mesopotamia and Palestine were not only a moral and | material gain, but an immense military , accession of strength. Lord Kitchener | j estimated that the troops necessary to (save Egypt from invasion would be far larger than the total now o-oerating in Mesopotamia and Palestine?*' '
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Bibliographic details
Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 9 March 1918, Page 5
Word Count
378THE WAR SITUATION. Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 9 March 1918, Page 5
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