Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-17
PREMIER GIVES MESSAGE
OF CONFIDENCE TO NATION
Declares People Of British Isles Can
not Be Starved, Despite Sub
marine Campaign.
MILITARY SITUATION BETTER
Difficulties of Allies Will Grow Less
and Their Power Increase. While
Troubles Of Germany Will Increase
and Power Fall Away.
MILITARY SITUATION BETTER
tRy Associated Press:J

tBy Associated PressJ
LONDON. August ia message of
hope and quiet confidence In the future
was given to the British nation to-
day in the House OF Commons by Pre-
mier Lloyd George. The people of the
British Isles cannot be starved. not
withstanding the German submarine
campaign, and the military situation
grows more hopeful. The difficulties
of the allies will grow less and their
power increase. while the troubles of
Germany will increase and her power
fall away.
This Is the supreme hour for pa
tience," the Premier declared in conclu-
sion. FOR courage. for endurance, for
hope, for unity. Let US go through
this hour with a temper that will en-
able US to destroy grea. military
despotism. Let US go through this
hour will the Old temper of our race.
SO that next year We shall begin. and
the world shall BEGIN, to reap the fruits
of our valor.'
The Premier said that this time
last year the wheat in this country
amounted to e.4s0.oo0 quarters. and
that now II is $500. 900 quarters The
stock Of oats nd barley, he declared.
also was higher.
BIG INCREASE IN ACREAGE
UNDER CULTIVATION
Lloyd George said the acreage under
cultivation showed an increase Of 1.OOo.-
600 acres. If the harvest weather was
good. The condition of food supplies
was very satisfactory. The Premier
added that there had been increases In
the sugar reserve.
The government has come to the
conclusion" Premier Lloyd George said.
that with reasonable economy there
is no chance of starving England out.
The Admiralty plans for dealing
with submarines have been increasing
~ successful"
Premier Lloyd George announced In
the House of Commons to-day that the
troops of Field Marshal Haig had cap
tured Langemarck. The Premier said
that Field Marshal Hais had tele-
graphed that 1900 prisoners had been
taken, and that FIVE guns had been cap
tured by noon to-day.
The British Premier said that in the
single month Of April. $4,000 gross
tons OF shipping were lost through
Teuton submarines. In July the ton
mage lost went down to 100000 gross
tons. This month there was a sub
stantial improvement over that OF
July.
The net losses since the commence
ment OF Germany's unrestricted sub
marine warfare were under $50 900 tons
month.
The Premier said: Germany now is
barely~able to hold her own-not even
that"
Premier Lloyd George said that in
the first six months of this year the
new tonnage built was $4,000. while in
the last six months. including pur-
chases. the new tonnage would be
1.i24.000.
ADDITION TO PROGRAM
. OF NAVAL CONSTRUCTION
The Premier also said that a con-
siderable addition had been made in
the program of naval construction.
In addition to capturing Langemarck.
the Premier said. the British troops
gained ground at many points. Severe
fighting is continuing, with the result
undetermined.
II e French, Lloyd George added. had
beer operating most effectively on
Int British left, where the Canadian
infantry had won conspicuous success.
With the cooperation of America,
the Premier said, there would be suffi-
cient tonnage for all Of 1918. and II
necessary, 1919. Although tonnage had
decreased during the last year. he
added, more goods had been carried
from overseas. There had bec: a con-
siderable saving in bread cons umption.
the Premier said, and owing to closer
milling and food economy there had
been addition to the wheat stock Of
10000 quarters per week. "a quarter
is equivalent to eight bushels).
NO TIME FOR REVIEW
OF MILITARY SITUATION
II do; not think" the Premier said,
"the time has come for a useful re-
view Of the military situation. The
main facts are we'll known to the
House and the country. had antic-
pated this. year. a great conversing
movement against our foes. Russia
was. equipped for that part as she
Continued on Second Pags)