The Seward gateway., 1916-03-11
BRITISH ARG
 NOW CONFIDENT
PERFECTLY CERTAIN THAT NEW ARMY WILL BRING
 ABOUT VICTORY.
By WILBUR S. FORREST

j. LONDON, March There's brand new germ in the British air. Atmospheric atoms that had the gem eral effect of something akin to gloom several months ago and which prompted British statesmen and pub- lie alike to speak confidently about the final outcome of the war, have disappeared. These atoms have been replaced by brighter colored atoms; poppy, optimistic little tikes.
 From the big government buildings in Whitehall to the smallest London shop there is a marked change in the conversation. Every man in the street knows that Britain is getting ready for the big show The average Britisher still throws out his chest if the Navy is mentioned, but today he will show broader expanse of shirtfrOnt when it comes to talk about the army The predominant topic Of interest has become the Tommies.
 With about 100000 men in khaki, England is preparing to do things in the Spring, on land. That is com mon talk. No Britishor has lost any of his confidence in the Navy, but he has given up hope that the German fleet will come out and fight, so he is leaving the Navy to control the seas and taking for granted that it will.
 Cabinet members, peers and plcbians alike look forward to the Spring campaign. The government leaders who six months ago modified their earlier announcements that "Germany must be crushed" to the gentler assertion that "the war can- not cease until the enemy has evacu- ated France and Belgium and restor- ed the rights of smaller nations" are today reasserting the former state ment with unequaned yigor. The reason is said to be new confidence in ' the army.
 Proof that the present talk doe5 not originate in ordinary rumor comes from the highest sources. Lord
 Derby, who has raised new millions for England's land forces, is authority for the statement that England's mili- tary forces now are superior to those of her enemies in reserves and fight ing ability; that the nation has reach ed the highest pitch of national patriotism and that this is evidenced by the fact that the men who will be forced to fight under the newly enact ed conscription bill will number less than seven per cent of the fighting eligibles as against over 02 per cent who joined voluntarily. Here is one of the latest utterances of Lloyd George, Minister of Munitions: England is preparing to put her whole weight into the war, and Ger many will feel it in a very short time. 1t is an effort such as England has never made before" Those who have closely analysed the minister's state ment say it can only mean that there will be no shortage of shells in the spring.
 In their latest speeches Lord Kitch- f ener, Premier Asquith and others high in the government have reflected the new optimism. In his message at the - opening of the new parliamentary l.. session King George speaking ]. through his premier declared: D With a proud and grateful cOnf- ' dence I look to the courage, tenacity a and resOuce of my navy and army,
 on whom we depend worthily to per form our part in the attainment of D this goal.
 "Gentlemen of the House of Com mons, you will be asked to make due
 financial provisions for the conduct
 of the war.
 a "Ny Lords and gentlemen: The
 only measures which will be submit F ted to you are such as, in the opinion
 of my advisors, tend to the attainment of our common object. confidently D commended them to your patriotism and loyalty and I pray that the AL l mighty will give his blessing to your