New Britain herald., 1916-02-16
KITCHENER SURE OF VICTORY FOR ALLIES
British Secretary for War Re, views Operations Of Conflict

London, Feb. 16-Earl Kitchener, secretary for war, in the House of Lords, yesterday, reviewed recent British operations in the various theaters of the war. "In France" said Earl Kitchener, although the ln- dians have been withdrawn, our forces have been materially increased-by no less than eight divisions of the new army. In Egypt adequate pre- parations have been made against threatened invasion. In Mesopota" mia, Major General Sir Fenton Ayl- mer is awaiting further reinforce ments before renewing his forward movement for a juncture with Gen eral Townsend.
 Touching on the workings of the new system of army enlistments, Earl Kitchener said the government was beginning to realize how seriously the numbers of men immediately ob- tainable are affected by exemptions.
 Time Will Show.
 Time alone will show what the result will be-" said the war secre- tary, but I trust on @ future occa- sion to be in a position to reas/dre the House as to the chance of secur- ing the numbers required
 Continuing his review of the op- erations Earl Kitchener said:-
 ''The allied offensive at Loos, in the Champagne and about Arras in ficted very heavy losses on the Ger l mans and resulted in the capture of l important positions by the allied | troops. German counter attacks fail ed to recover the ground which the enemy had been compelled to yield. Russians Gain Successes.
 Owing to the continuous offensive action on the western front consider able German forces were withdrawn from the Russian frontier, enabling Russia to obtain certain successes and to hold the enemy we'll in check. In France and Flanders, since the capture of Loos and the forward movement in Champagne, the allied lines have remained practically un- changed. Through the winter the morale of the French army has been maintained at the same high level, and their fighting qualities have nev- CT been greater or more highly de- veloped than at present. Our troops throughout the winter have been con- stantly carrying on active operations, which have given no rest or respite to the enemy.
 "The activities of the Italian army were conspicuous of the Italian army vem Der during their advance on the Isonso. Their efforts since then have not been relaxed, although the posi- tions occupied by the enemy are SD strong as to bar for the present the development of a forward movement, which the splendid courage of the Italian troops is sure eventually to push home.
 Notwithstanding the heavy blows and the consequent losses sustained by Russia in the summer of 1915, her army has been thoroughly re-organ- ized and re-equipped and her arma- ments Increased.
 'The Turkish army, reinforced by German supplies, was able to or ganize movement of troops either against Egpyt or to strengthen their forces in Mesopotamia, and at the same time to bring more powerful ar tillery to bear against our positions on the Gallipoli peninsula. It was, therefore, decided to withdraw from the peninsula to reinforce our troops at Saloniki and in Egypt
 During last winter an abortive at tempt on the Suez canal was easily pushed aside by the small British force operating in that neighbOrhood; but as a more serious attempt has been threatened, adequate prepara- tions have been made to defend the canal.
 Teutons Induced Tribes.
 "The Turko- German influence with the religious chief of the Senusei tribesmen on the western flank in Egypt succeeded in inducing the tribes of Cyrenaica and Tripolt to as sume a hostile attitude towards us. Their first attempts resulted in com plete failure and disaster, and. though this movement still causes a certain amount of unrest, the admirable 1oy- atty of the people of Egypt forms an effective barrier to any penetration by these raiders into the cultivated areas.
 "In East Africa several small en- agreements have enabled us to eX tend our positions. Tn the Kameruns joint operations undertaken by French and British troops have brought the country entirely under the control of the allies The campaign there may be regarded as concluded.
 "In the future as in the past, we have our dangers and difficulties, throughout which the spirit or our troops at the front and the calm de- termination of the people at home to support them will enable us to look forward to 8 victorious issue Whlch should ensure peace for many gener- ations.'