CANADA AND THE WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17289, 3 October 1916, Page 4

CANADA AND THE WAR.

INTERVIEW WITH SIR SAM HUGHES. General Sir Sam Hughes, on his arrival in London a few weeks ago from Canada, gave a representative of “ Tho Daily Telegraph ” an optimistic view of tho Canadian opinion of the war and the general situation.

‘‘ Enthusiasm for the cause and determination to fight to a finish is just as great ns ever in Canada,” he remarked. “Wo have raised close upon 400,000 men, 385,000 of .whom are actually on a war basis, and theso boys mean to see their end through. We have always been ahead with our equipment, and have ample supplies of munitions, but, of course, wo are always 'wanting more.” The manner in which the French had fought and wore fighting had. aroused tlio greatest admiration in the Dominion. Tho French-Canadians had not been much trained in military matters, and therefore at the outbreak of the war were not so ready to offer their services as now, but in Montreal several fine regiments of these splendid fellows had been formed, and were making a good show. Referring to the number of Americans in tho Canadian army, General Hughes said that many fine young fellows from the United States of America carried away with the spirit of the Allies, had gone over to the border and joined tho Canadian forces. On the boat ho came across in were Colonel Coit, of New York, who had journeyed to England to see his son, who was badly wounded. This fine young man on the outbreak of‘war left his home for Canada, joined ono of the university regiments, and had got badly smashed _up fighting for tho cause of the Allies. Major Stewart and Captain Wood, both of the United States of America Army, also joined the Dominion forces, and the former had been killed; hundreds moro of Americans had joined the side of the Allies.

Commenting on the reason for his visit to England, General Hughes said that, amongst other engagements, ha was going to visit the Canadian regiments at the front. “ I hope I shall seo General Foch again/' he remarked. “He is an old friend of mine, and I was glad to meet, him last year. So also was I pleased to see General Joffro, who i 3 regarded as a great man by the Canadians.

Speaking of Mr Lloyd George’s appointment as War Minister, tho speaker observed that the Canadians viewed that appointment ns an admirable one. The Dominion greatly mourned the loss of Lord Kitchener, as did also many Americans. The general sentiment in Canada was that Mr Lloyd George would be the right man at tho War Office. ' Ho would prove a good adviser, and with his characteristic energy, determination, and, as the Canadians said, “horse-sense,” he would make a success at the War O ce.

Preparations.had been made to deal with all the returned soldiers, and the Canadian Government was opening up a lot of new land in the North-West: There would he plenty of room for all tho returning fighting men and for many others. The indications for this year’s crop were very good, and there was no dearth of labour, so many Americans having come over the border to help. A number of' these would remain as settlers.