New Britain herald., 1915-01-07
KITCHENER REVIEWS
 PROGRESS OF WAR
16|lS House of Lords SeIvia'S Work Was Brightest in December.

house of lords met today, month earlier than the house of commons, chiefly to hear from Lord Kitchener, for the six weeks since parliament was prorogued. While the speech of the secretary for war contained noth- ing sensational, and little not already known, it was listened to with rapt at tention by distinguished gathering of peers and peeresses, members of the house of commons and public men.
 The peers as usual, were in their robes of office, but beyond this, the scene lacked the usual color, for the long rows of peeresses in the gallery virtually every one was in mourning for some relative killed at the front. Lord Kitchener read his speech from a typewritten document and re- ferred briefly to the operations in every sphere laying particular em phasis on the Turkish defeat in the Caucasus and the Austrian defeat in Galicia, and what he considered even more inportant-"the severe check of German aspirations in Poland"
 Progress of French.
 war secretary l/OrO hlLCnener Spoke of the progress of the war and Of the military situation so far as military exigencies permitted. He said:
 During the month of December the allied forces made progress at vari- our points, but the tide of battle ebbed and flowed with varying success.
 "In spite Of the unfavorable wealth CT, the French army m:Nle noteworthy pfogress to the east of Rheims and in southern Alsace.
 Sufficient Strength Left.
 Notwithstanding the transfer of German troops to the eastern theater of the war they left sufficient strength to hold their trenches in the west.
 German aspirations in Poland have suffered severe check, and it is evil dent that they realize the infinite diff f1cuIty of winter operations in Rus sia."
 Lord Kitchener said that notwith- standing the severe attacks Of the Germans along the Bzura and Rawka riv' rs, the Russians for more than fortnight had frustrated their efforts to advance any nearer to Warsaw He said that the Germans had been greatly hampered by faulty commun- icsfion, and that their casualties had been heavy.
 Servia's Brilliant Work.
 "One of the brightest spots in the military operations during December has been the extraordinary achieve nents of the gallant Servian army. y Hast night we rceived news Lord Kitchener declared, "of a Rus sian victory in the Caucuses which should have far-reaching influence on all the Turkish operations.'
 "The much talked of advance of Turkish forces against Egypt up to the present has failed to materialize,' Lord Kitchener continued. The situation in South Africa has under gohe most welcome change. Gen. eral Botha having handled the mili- tary situation in a masterly manner and stamped out the rebellion. The result has given Us great confidence in the future success of any opera ttons> he may undertake.'
 Lord Kitchener praised the cool ness and courage of the people of scarborough, Whitby and the Hartle- pools during the recent German na- val raid on the east coast, and re- marked that mo military advantage can be gained by these wanton at tacks.'
 218,OOO Men Register.
 The househo olders' canvass thus far has resulted in the registration of 900 men who are willing to serve if called upon, said the war secretary. He continued:
 "The great advantage which Ger many enjoyed by reason of her su- periority of numbers and extensive war preparations have certainly di- unfinished, while the Allies daily are increasing their resources in such g. way as to enable them to prosecute tie war to triumphant end.
 Increase in Recruits.
 "The anticipated decrease in the number of recruits during Christmas week has given place to an increase which has almost restored the weekly returns to their former satisfactory level. I am glad to say that we have filled up the officers list of the ex- peditionary force and that there is a considerable surplus of training off, cers to draw from. Since the war be- gan 29,10O officers have been appoint ed to the army Sir John French's forces have been increased by terri torial units and a new division, at tached to which is a fine Canadian regiment.
 Tn the earlier stages of the war considerable difficulties were experi- enced and anxiety was felt, owing to the dearth of officers. I am glad to say that we have now been able to fill up the places.
 "Vigilant attention on the part of the war office staff has served to cope with and gradually overcome the diff fculty of securing supplies and equip nents for those new forces to whose future activities we look forward with