THE OUTLOOK

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8014, 11 April 1918, Page 3

THE OUTLOOK

GATHERING STRENGTH FOR FIERCER ONSLAUGHT. FATE OF THE EMPIRE AT STAKE. Australian & N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, April 0. In the House of Commons there was intense interest displayed in the Cremier’s speech. The I louse was crowded but there was an entire absence of excitement. Mr Lloyd George said:— “We have now entered Hie most critical stage of the war. The present lull means that the hnn'ieaoe is gathering strength for a fiercer outbreak, and before it. is dually exhausted there will be many more battles. The fate of the Empire of Europe, of liberty throughout the world, might depend on the success with which even the very last of these attacks is countered. “The Government therefore proposed to submit rccommcndutioiis to assist the country and our Allies to weather the storm. The Government recommendations will involve extreme sacrifices by large classes of the population. Nothing would justify them but: the most extreme necessity and the fact that we are lighting for all Ilia!, is essential and most sacred to national life.” Explaining why I’arliament had not been summoned earlier since the battle began, lie said Ilial the Government bud been engaged al most hourly in concert with their Allies in providing necessary measures to assist our armies to deal with Hie emergency. Dealing with the military position, Ihe I'rcmier pointed out Ilial it was ditlicull to get a clear and reliable narrative of a battle ex tending over lifty miles. The stall’ and generals were naturally engaged in concentrating attention of the operations of Hie enemy, and until Ilial strain was relaxed il would Ihdil’licnl! to ascertain exactly what has happened. A CRITICAL MOMENT. Reviewing Ihe various phases of the halite, lie said that at one lime il was undoubtedly very critical, when the enemy broke 111 rough between the Jrd and slh Armies, and was only re trieved by the mngniliccnl conduct of the troops frusfnri.ing Hie enemy’s purpose. The country could not s ll lli eiciillv thank them for the superb valor and grim tenacity wherewith they laced overwhelming hordes and clung to I heir positions. Once more llk* cool pluck of the British soldier, who refuses lo acknowledge defeat, saved Europe. Ilis reiuniks covered all ranks, generals, ollieers and soldiers. lie drew no distinctions, ll would lake a long lime to name all Hie generals who hud distinguished them selves. THE FIFTH ARMY. Until all Ihe eimimslaiicfs which led to the reliremenl of the s|h Army were known, iliilil its failure lo hold the line of the Somme at least until the Germans brought up guns, and perhaps the failure ndeipmlely lo do slroy Hie bridges were explained, it would he unfair lo censure General Gong'll, hot until the eireiimslunees wen- cleared up il would npially unfair lo the British Army to retain his services in Ihe held of war. The Cabinet, therefore, Hinuglil il neces surv to recall him until the fads were examined and laid before the Govern meiil hy its military advisers. AN INITIAL SUCCESS. The enemy had undoubtedly gained a great ini lin I success. There was no use in not accepting the facts, but lie Imd failed so far as bis main object was concerned. We would be guilty ol u great uiml fatal error if we iiiidcr cstimated Ibe gravity of the aspect. Tlie enemy was miicli 100 near Amicus for comfort and security, and had sue cccdcd for the time being in compel ling one of our great armies to retire. The (|il>iii('l took every step lo hurry up reinforcements. Never had such large numbers of men crossed I lie Channel in such a short lime. Mr Lloyd George paid a tribute lo the speed wherewith the Erencli reserves arrived and to the loyal assist;nice they gave. The British position was momentarily established, Im! il was dear the Germans were preparing another and perhaps even greater al lack. The enemy ’s claims ' IH f‘» cap lures of guns and prisoners were greatly exaggerated. We were not only able to replace the guns, but bad a very substantial reserve. We bad also great reserves of ammunil ion here and in Erniice, The same re,mirk applied to aircraft. lie was eonlidciil that our armies, generals and soldiers were <|iii!c ready for Ihe next encounter. MORE MEN REQUIRED. There wore dill seven or eight months wherein the light could col, Ii ii lie. Everything depended on keep ii.g our strength right to Ihe end. We could do il ivilfi American aid, but even I lien we could not feel secure iiii less we prepared ourselves to make even greater sacrilies Ilian hitherto. He knew vvlial would happen if Ihe Government’s demands were not acceded to. We unis! look ahead. The ' Germans were calling' up the l!)20 class, which would provide for this campaign 550,00(1 young men for the halite line. We had alrea ly raised for llic army during Ihe lirsl ipini'lcr of IDI H more Ilian that <|iiarler’s proportion of the original estimated mini muni required for the present year, ll was not merely necessary to have the men, Iml to have them quickly. The I’rcmier proceeded to discuss Ihe proposals of Hie hill, lie regret led Ilial the lirsl was lo raise Ihe mili I ary age to 50, and In some specified iron of special qualiliealions, training and experience, ll was proposed fur I her to use the Government's powers to cancel exempt ions, ll was also pro posed that Ilis Majesty might by proelamation declaring that a national exemptions to military service should cease to have ell cel.