The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-16
In a Review of the War Be-
 fore House of Lords Earl Kitchener Says German
 Offensive Is Losing Force
RUSSIAN INVASION
 IS LOOKED UPON AS
 FAILURE IN DISGUISE
Only Barren Territory Gained at Great Sacrifice. Allies Fast MObilizing Resources for Struggle

II London. September 15.-"The Ger
 mans appear almost to have shot their
 bolt" says Earl Kitchener, secretary of
 war, today. s'rhoir advance in Russis
 which at one time averaged five miles
 . day, now has diminished to less than N one mile day.
 II Earl Kitchener's statement was made
 in . review of the war in the House of H Lords.
 M ''The response of the country to calls !! for recruits has been little short of N marvelous," Ne said, "but the problem how to insure the field force being kept M at full strength ia engaging our close
 attention. and will, I hope, soon receive M . practical solution. I do not for one i instant doubt that whatever sacrifice M may prove necessary, will be under l taken cheerfully by our people," M This was the only portion of Earl M Kitchener's speech which might be re- M garded as a reference to the possibility A of conscription.
 
 M war secretary said:
 M For the last few months the front held by the allies in the west has been |Apractically unchanged. This does not mean that there has been relaxation
 of active work on the part of the forces in the field for the continuous local TEfighting which has taken place all Balong the line has called for the dis 'Kplay of incessant vigilance. 8 Positions Strengthened M Meanwhile our positions have been lHmuch strengthened not only by careful laelaboration of the system of trench lfortifications that already existed. but !also by large increase in the num- Fiber of heavy guns which have been Eplaced along our lines.
 A The Germans recently on several lNoccasions used gas and liquid fire. and ]3havs bombarded our lines with as- |Jphyxiating shells, but these forms of |nattack, lacking as they now do the ele-
 ment of surprise, have failed in their
 Aob jectivc and lost much of their of Ifensjve value owing to steps taken by bus to counteract the effect of these per
 nicious methods.
 As new armies have become trained | and ready to take the field consider IRble endorsements have been sent out
 to join Field Marshal French's com \ Imand. You will be glad to hear his \ Opinion of these troops. communicated
 fo me. He writes
 III "'The units appear to be thoroughly Well officered and commanded. The Equipment Is in good order and eff fient Several units of artillery have |. A-l. ..-l al. 1t~.- 4 fhe trenches, and I hear very good re- ports of them. Their shooting has 3Nbeen extremely good and they are quite lit to take their place in the line M Armies Equipped "As l have informed your lordships home of the new armies we have pre- pared and equipped for the war are al Ready in the field and others will quickly follosv them. The response of }he country's calls for recruits to form These armies has been little short of marvellous, but it must be borne in mind that the provision of men to maintain the forces in the field depends lo great degree on a large and con tiIuous supply of recruits. The provision to keep up their ktrength during 1916 has caused an Anxious though, which has accentuated knd rendered more pressing by the re- kent falling off in the numbers com ] Ing forward to enlist, although every Effort has been made to obtain our Requirements under the present sys- Mem.
 T am sure we all fully realize that lhe strength of the armies we are Bending out must be fully maintained No the very end. To fulfill this pur- bose we shall require a large addition No the numbers of recruits joining. \ The problem of how to secure an ade- h,,, fhtrc inc bhe field force being kept up to it's N Full strength is engaging our close att H Mention and will, I hope, very soon re-
 yeive practical solution. M "The returns of the registration act, VI Which will shortly be available, will no Soubt give us the basis on which to cal tes resources of the country and 10 determine the number of men avail N tuie Tor the army after providing for M The necessary services of the country Is well as those of our intuition works. "Whatever decision may be arrived a 1t in the full light of the facts be- M lore us must undoubtedly be found on M military requirements for the prosecu- Ht Non of the war and the protection of H vur shores. and will be the result of an MI Impartial inquiry as to how we can
 host worthily fulfill our national obli- HI tations.
 HI "Although there has been falling MI If in the number of recruits I do not HI Iraw from this fact any conclusion un- HI favorable to the resolution and spirit HI If the country. On the contrary, | HI Ihink now. as I always have thought. III lhat the manner in which all classes HI Have responded to the call of patriot III Ism Is magnificent and do not for M Inc instant doubt that whatever sac III offices may prove necessary to bring HI his gigantic war to q successful con- MI fusion will be cheerfully undertaken HI Nv our people"
 HI Recruits Receive Baptism of Fire N n"These new divisions have now had the },hpcrtunity of acquiring by experience in A,tua1 warfare that portion of the nec- tsary training essential to soldiers which Hik was impossible to give them in this BlTuntry, and which. once scquired will 1 |Ihable them effectively to take their place |Ik line with the rest of the British l Ikmy
 l E''With these additional endorsements. H tCesti.ued e..Paee Ni4e)