Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-01-07
REPORT Of LORD KITCHENER
ON MILITARY OPERAT|0NSIS
So '~. BEFORE THE HOUSE OF LORDS

the gallant Servian army.
Last night we received news Lord
Kitchener declared, ''of a Russian victo-
ry in the Caucasus which should have a
far reaching influence on all the Turk
ish operations.
THE much -talked-of advance of Turk
ish forces against Egypt up to the pres
eth has failed to materialiZe," Lord
Kitchener continued.
In South Africa
THE situation in South Africa has I'M
dergone most welcome change, Gener-
al Botha having handled the military
situation in mastery manner and
stamped out the rebellion. The result
has given US great confidence in the fu-
ture success of any operations he may
undertake.
Lord Kitchener praised the GOODNESS
an dcourage of the people of Scarbor-
ough, Whitby and the Hartlepools during
the recent German naval raid on the east
coast, and remarked that mo military
advantage can be gained by these wan
ton attacks
The householders' canvass thus far mas
resulted in the registration of 21S,C0o men
who are willing to serve if called upon,
said the war secretary. de contnlueo.
Germany Loses Advantage
The great advantages which Germany
.nioved bv reason Of her superiority OF
numbers and extensive. war preparations
have certainly diminished, while the
Allies daily are increasing their re-
N
to prosecute the war to a triumphant
end.
The anticipated decrease in the number
of recruits during Christmas week mas
given place to an increase wmcn mas
almost restored the weekly returns to
their former satisfactory level. l am
glad to say that We have filled up the
officers cadres of the expeditionary force
and that there is considerable surplus
of training officers to draw FROM Since
the war began 5000 officers have been
appointed to the army. Sir John French S
forces have been increased by territorial
units and new division, attached to
what IS a fine Canadian regiment.
Earlier Stages
an the earlier stages of the war con-
siderable difficulties were experienced
and anxiety was felt owing to the dearth
of officers. l am glad to say that we
have now been able to fill up the places.
Strict attention on the part of the war
office staff has served to cope with and
gradually overcome the difficulty of Sc
curing supplies and equipments for those
new forces to whose future activities we
I'd I1-ith al Confidence
1.-The training of the Canadian contin-
gent of the new armies has been carried
on under the worst weather conditions,
but in spite Of this a great deal of ex-
tremely good work has been done during
the last months. DiscomfortS and hard
ships due to the storm and mud have
been cheerfully met and both officers and
MEN are imbued with one common
thought-preparing themselves as thor
oughly and rapidly as possible to take
part in the field where I am sure, they
will worthily support their comrades in
arms
HARDSHIP s Of Troops
'Our troops in the field have been
subjected to hardships inseparable from
a winter campaign, but by. system of
relief the severe strain which the men
have undergone in the trenches has been
minimized. Our soldiers. needless to say,
have exhibited constant cheerfulness and
resourcefulness which has redounded to
their credit.
Referring to the British operations in
the Near East, Lord Kitchener said
that in Mesopotamia the Indian expedi-
tionary force had continued it's northward
advance, defeating the Turkish troops
and inflicting on them heavy losses,
in Egypt Turkish troops under German