The Position in France

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 5, 4 May 1917, Page 2

The Position in France

THE news cabled this week, that France has appealed to America for men for the Front, and that the appeal is that of a nation in sore straits,' gives' food for“ thought. People in this country have thought of France as being in a strong position, having vast numbers of men to draw from and able to hold up their end for years to come. A little thought, however, will show that this can hardly be the case. From the very outset of the War, France has had to carry the big end of the stick. At first, when our army was represented by about 100000 men the French had already millions in the fieid. Our increase of strength was gradual and right though our allies had to bear the burden of the fight. It is only comparatively recently that our strength has reached that of the French. It follows of course 4hat the casualities in the French army must have exceeded ours very much and apparently the wastage has been so great that the heads of the army are at their wits end to fill the gaps in the ranks. The fact that the French appeal comes so soon after our armies took over a very big additional length of the Western line is very ominous and points to the conclusion that our case is not so rosy as some would have us think. A little reflection will show, too, that the position in England must be now a sufficiently anxious one,for the drain on the manhood of the nation has been constant and ever increasing. In the light of these facts, it would appear that it is up to the Dominions to do much more than they are doing, that everyone should do his best to encourage recruiting, otherwise the War will end in a stalemate, with the certainty of a succeeding War more horrible and more perilous than the present one. It is to be hoped that every person with influence will wake up to the seriousness of the situation, and will use that influence in the direction of helping and not hindering the country in the present crisis.