THE OUTLOOK.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 7920, 18 August 1917, Page 3

THE OUTLOOK.

BOOM FOE OPTIMISM. SUPEEME HOUE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. Eeuter Message. LONDON, August 17. In the House of Commons Mr Lloyd George made an important speech on several aspects of the war. He declared that the food position had considerably improved. In August last there was a stock of 6,500,000 quarters of wheat in the country. Now there was 8,500,000. As for shipping, the enemy declared we were losing a million tgns per month. After allowing for new construction in April we lost 565,000 tons gross; but the gross losses in July were reduced to 320,000 tons, and August looked like being better. If the present improvement continues, the net loss in July and August would be at the rate of 175,000 tons a month. These figures showed that the Admiralty was meeting with considerable success.

Dealing with the military situation, he declared that he would not exchange our position for the enemy’s. Our difficulties would diminish and our powers increase. The enemy’s difficulties would increase and his powers diminish. Mr Lloyd George proceeded to read a telegram from the front regarding the latest offensive, which he said was not intended to be a big operation. The telegram stated that severe fighting continued, the result of which was not yet determined. The Canadian infantry had won a conspicuous success. We had captured Langemarck, taking prisoner 1200, with five guns. Concluding, he said:—“This is the supreme hour for patience, courage, endurance, hope and unity. Let us go through this hour with the old temper of our race that will enable ns to destroy a great military despotism, so that next year we and the world will begin to reap the fruits of our valor.” LOBBY COMMENT. BEST ANSWER TO THE POPE’S NOTE. (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) LONDON, August 17. It is considered in the lobbies that Mr Lloyd George’s speech will tend to consolidate the political situation, that it is the best answer to the Pope’s note and will strike a blow at the Pacifist propaganda making headway in Britain during the past fortnight.