MR. LLOYD GEORGE SAYS VICTORY IS CERTAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16266, 27 June 1916, Page 7

MR. LLOYD GEORGE SAYS VICTORY IS CERTAIN.

PEACE MUST BE WON BY SMASHING MILITARY SUCCESSES EVERY WEEK ADDS TO THE STRENGTH OF THE ALLIES. PRODUCTION OF MUNITIONS STILL INCREASING.* (Received June 2G, 11.25 p.m.) LONDON. JUNE 26. In an interview given to the Paris newspaper Le Journal, Mr. Lloyd George rendered a glowing homage to Prance, her army, and the French nation, which, he said, had risen to the greatest height of moral power during the war. Continuing, Mr. Lloyd George said: " France has utilised her material" resources and physical forces to the utmost possible limit. We cannot think of Verdun without emotion, and bow before the gallant heroes whose almost superhuman, courage and tenacity have held the Germans at bay. The defenders did not anticipate such persistent and prolonged onslaughts, involving such terrible sacrifice at the enemy's expense without military advantage. It is not ground gained or lost in short distance that matters on the western front. It is lives lost. Verdun is the greatest battle of this war, and will prove decisive. Henceforward Germany's offensive will shrink. The lesson of Verdun is that large guns and heavy explosives will play a greater part in future battles. Fortunately we have come to the time when the production- of munitions is increasing and every week adds to the strength ;of "the aTEes?" " " I have never taken the view that to defeat. the enemy is a light task, but victory is ours. It is sure although it may not be swift. We must crush Germany's military power. The blockade (is a great factor, but not a factor which will bring complete victory. That must come after military defeat. I would not like it to come many other way. Only a military victory will destroy Prussian militarism and protect civilisation from a repetition of the present-calamity. A peace forced on Germany because she was impoverished,in food and material would be a moral defeat for the allies! 'The Central Empires would be able to say 'We defeated our enemies on every battlefield; we crushed Belgium; held the. richest industrial departments of France; drove back the Russians; hurled the -British from Gallipoli, and were only forced to make peace because the -enemy starved women and children.' That is not the kind of peace which will last. Only a smashing military victory will bring a peace that I Germany will understand. The victory we shall get must be complete and final."