GEN. JOFFRE'S OPINION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16374, 31 October 1916, Page 8

GEN. JOFFRE'S OPINION

DECISIVE PHASE OF WAR.

MESSAGE TO AUSTRALIA.

"KEEP UP YOUR EFFECTIVES."

An interview with General Joffre has been cabled to the Sydney Sun by its. special representative. "His office is a pleasant room, 30ft bv 20ft, in a small chateau some miles behind the line," the correspondent wrote. "He tat at a small table, with a few typewritten, reports before lain. Another large table was covered with maps, whilst closely detailed maps were on the walls. Easy chairs were noticeably absent, yet the room, though simple, was not severe. General Joifrc's chairs commanded a view of a peaceful little wood. The general's mood was one of quiet meditation. He had been caught between two of his rapid visits to widely separated parts of the front. He relaxed his rule never to grant interviews or to iiwlio statements, oiiiy alter 1 had urged that Australia's mind was at present concentrated upon the western front. He protested that he never had granted an interview, but this, he said, perhaps might be done as it was for Australia, and Australians had won his heart. . , "Say," he said, "that we are in, the decisive phase of the war. This phase will continue for some time, and its duration can be shortened only by bringing into full motion the whole resources of the allied nations. "British troops have played an important role in all theatres where they have been engaged, and amongst them the [Australian divisions have taken in all combats of the last 18 mouths a glorious part. Their splendid devotion in UaV,ipoli had won them renown, and caused them to be welcomed in France with the sympathy and admiration of all the French. 1 have taken every opportunity of seeing them, and each time I have been struck by the magnificent Dewing of your soldiers, which shows their martial ispirit and the confidence which animates them. Moreover, since their arrival on our front the enemy has learned to dread their valour, their keen spirit of enterprise, and their contempt of danger. Their entry into the great Franco-British offensive on the Somme was marked by successes as swift as they were extensive. These young divisions have from tie very first ranked themselves as equals with their glorious elders, both French and British. Good blood cannot lie.

We've fought for more than two years," said Joffre. "May I then Ray that these magnificent soldiers of Anzac can become an important factor in the final victory and the hastening of its arrival if Australia, whence they spring, works without delay to ensure the keeping up of their effectives and increase their units.

" France has borne from the outset 8 great part of the weight of the common war. She has ril'.ingly endured great sacrifices. She is resolved to consecrate to the very end all he: living and material forces to the great task"l am convinced, for my part, that your fellow-countrymen wi'.l follow her eiample without hesitation; that they will riot like to leave to others the task and glory of avenging their dead, and that they wi'J be eager to take every part that belongs to them in the final triumph." Joffre had spoken deliberately, with serious face, and cool, courteous voice, like an earnest soldier commanding a situation. It was to-day's rnood of the serious resolution of France.

SINGLE MEN ONLY.

ENOUGH FOR A YEAR.

PLEDGE TO MARRIED MEN.

A statement regarding the number of men required for reinforcements and the numbers available wa« made by the Prime Minister, Mr. W. M. Hughes, in a speech at Newcastle last Wednesday. He declared positively that, there would be no need to call up married men before the end of next year, and stated "in' definite terms that tha Government, believing that it will be unnecessary to call up married men at all if the war finishes within a year, will not call up married men even if the war should unhappily last longer, without first consulting Parliament."

Mr. Hughes said the Government asked for power to enlist compulsorfly each month such a number of men as would make up the difference between the voluntary enlistments and the reinforcements required. Not more than 16,500 would be required each month, and in the winter months of January, February, and March, probably fewer. The Government proposed to exempt married men as a class, believing there were sufficient single men between the ages of 21 and 45 years to see Australia through the war. On August 28 there were reseiTe troops numbering 103,000 in camp in Australia, on the water, or in England. Voluntary enlistments in the interval numbered 18.000, so there were now available sufficient reinforcements for the period to the end of February. Mr. Hughes said i*# was obvious the number of single men exceeded the official estimate, and on tho basis of the latest figures he fixed the number available at 203,000. Allowing far exemptions of all kinds he could say with assurance that there were enough single men to carry on the reinforcements until September or October next year.

OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN. MANY FALSE STATEMENTS. REPLIES BY MR.. HUGHES. The opposition propaganda has relied largely upon statements which have been officially declared to be utterly false. Recently the Prime Minister issued a categorical denial to a number of these statements. One of the principal arguments used in urging a "no" vote has beer that, in the absence of Australians, the country would be "flooded with ch'?ap labour." Definite statement* have be;n made that great numbers of Maltese had actually arrived. Mr. Hughes declared that " fewer than 100 Maltese men, women, and children came to Australia some weeks ago, and the British Government has now been requested to issue no more passports except to British soldiers who can no longer fight. v The Government has drafted a regulation under the \tar Precautions Act prohibiting the introduction of cheap labour of any sort nto Australia during the term of the war." Replying to the question whether Australia would be exposed to a greater fear of future invasion ii more men are sent away, Mr. Hughes fiaic:—" Australia is defended from invasion by the British Navy; by the success of the British Empire, of which we are a part, we shall win this war. Let Germany be crushed, Rnd we are in no'danger of invasion. Let Germany emerge nnweakened, and the danger hangs over us every hour. If Germany wins this war we could not keep her out of Australia if every Australian man was under arms." Referring to the proceedings at the secret session of Parliament, the Prime Minister declared that " every fact told to members of Parliiment was a convincing reason why every elector should vote 'Yes.' I do not hesitate to sav that if the facts there disclosed could be made known every elector other than traitors to their country would vote Yes.'" " Men compelled to fight," he stated in reply to another question, " will receive exactly the same pay and exactly the same treatment as volunteers, and their pension 1 rights if they are disabled will be the same. Absolutely no difference will be j mad*.'?