New-York tribune., 1908-11-24
A MILLION MEN NEEDED
LORD ROBERTS HINTS At
GERM1N INVASION.
Lack of British Army Nay Cause
Loss Of Sea Power-Lords
Adopt His Motion.

London Nov. 23.-Ffeld Marshal Lord Roberts
tonight that the lack Of military force sufi-
Client TO make hopeless the attempt Of an inva-
sion would. in all probability be the cause OF
the loss of Great BT1tains supremacy at sea.
He pointed out in a carefully prepared speech
the comparative ease with which Germany could
land an army the shores OF England. Under
the present conditions England would be forced,
he said to submit to most humiliating demands.
Lord Roberts's resolution to the effect that
the defence of the islands necessitates the i'm
mediate attention Of the government TO make
provisions for such strong and efficient army
that the most formidable foreign nation will
hesitate before making attempt at landing"
adopted by vote of "A to 80.
The field marshal dsclaimed all hostility to
Germany or fear of that country but said that
the defence OF the islands required immediate
attention There should be army 50 strong
in numbers and efficient in quality that the most
formidable of foreign nations would hesitate to
make a landing in England. He had asCertained.
the speaker continued, that vessels capable of
accommodating 100000 men always avail
able in the northern ports of Germany, and that.
as result Of the new German service law.
100000 men could be collected in the districts Of
the nearest port without any trouble. The great
tice in embarking and dsembarking. and the
railroads were owned by. the state all prelim
inarfes up to the actual dispatch OF troops could
be carried out with the utmost secrecy. Ger
many was perfectly aware. the field marshal
went on. that II would be essential for her
transports to evade the British fleet, and she
could easily distract atte enton by small raids
while the main disem barkation was proceeding
undisturbed He continued;
It would be folly to shut our eyes to these
possibilities, however much peace is desired.
brought home to the most careless observer that
nothing could save that country which Is not
prepared to protect itself If Great Britain con-
tinues to neglect the most ordinary precautions,
she may some day find herself in the hands Of
the invader and be force to submit to the most
humiliating conditions.
This danger is daily becoming more threaten
ing Within decade Germany has created the
greatest sea power that existed, except
Great Britain's, and at the present moment It
is formidable. Measures are being taken to in
crease that power. It IS calculated that there
are eighty thousand Germans in employment in
Great Britain. They trained soldiers. and
If a German force once landed on these shores
they would be ready 10 help.
Lord Roberts coutended that it was not alb
solutely essential for a nation to command the
sea in order to carry out invasion. A tenn
porary local command would suffice and this
was perfectly understood in Germany. The
main temptation to the invasion of Great Brit
ain was the want OF hcrne army. which ought
to consist of q million men Across the narrow
sea were sixty million Germans who by perse-
yerence, industry, sound education and military
had made themselves a great nation.
They required outlets for their commerce and
population.
1t was Great Britain's business. continued
Lord Roberts, to find out in what way the great
increase in Germanys power likely to
affect her, and to adopt measures necessary for
her own defence. The navy under present con-
ditions was fettered in home waters and without
force sufficient to render invasion
hopeless Great Britains military weakness
would in all probability be the cause of the loss
Of her naval supremacy.
Lord Roberts's speech caused a sensation in
the House The Earl of Crewe remarked on the
seriousness of such statements in the present
high strung condition OF Europes nerves. say
ing he feared there might be regrettable conse-
quences.