Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-17

dolng it in Germany to cheer -,
n own people and We're circulating
d set OF figures throughout Gerrsne,
ana austria on the authority n, 49,
craa..a admiralty with the object of
ns tne impression that England
oou!o not last much longer.
Inc Unrestricted submarine cam
raien began in February and bv Ami,
. .,,e premier said, England had lost
10Y 1uo'ooo tons of shipping in one month
me German Official figures. he addsd
.ldilned that England was losing he
tween $4,000 and 100000 month,v
aiter allowing for new CONSTRUCTION
IN June the losses had fallen to 400 :
'oo tons gross. This announcements
was cheered loudly. In addition thu
lemier said he had taken steps for
duickening shipbuilding and had ord
cred good many ships abroad.
Inc Premier declared that the net
shipping losses were far from being
what the Germans claimed. They
We're 100000 tons monthly and II the
present improvement was maintained
the net loss for July and August will,
be $4,000 tons each
WIN 1row Smaller
Premier Lloyd George. said he be-
heved the losses would grow smaller.
he was sure construction would in :
crease ii more ships were still needed
II the United States put forward her
luil capacity, there would be SUFFICIENT
tonnage not only for the whole of 1918,
nut II necessary for 1919.
New Military Situation
i 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 to the country. had an
tic'pated this year a great convercinS
movement against our foes Russia
was equipped for that part as she
never before had been equipped.
i venture to say that the nippers wer.
beginning to grip but. to be quite frank.
one claw of the nippers is out of repair
for the moment and therefore We have
not got the same converging pressure we
had anticipated
But things are mending. And eons;d.
ering all the difficulties with which we are
confronted our armies have won very
conspicuous successes.
Best Germany Can Do
The best Germany can do now" Mr.
Lloyd George continued, when what
practically was her most powerful oppon-
ent at the beginning of the war is par
alyzed by internal difficulties is to hold
her own against the attacks of the Brit
ish and French. And she is not quite do.
ing it. On the contrary. this year she
has been beaten in several great battles
with severe losses and with hundreds OF
her guns captured, which is not "a bad
test Of winning or losing battle.
Russia recovered and America really
In. with those fine troops Of which we
saw specimen yesterday and which were
symbol of America coming into this
world struggle with n virile swing-those
are the things the Germans and their
allies will have to think about"
Asauith Also Optimistic
Former Premier Asquith said that
Great Britain can survey with salts
faction if not with complacency the
results Of her own effort. What has
happened to Russia has frustrated one
of the greatest military purposes Of the
war and any criticism passed on this
years operation must bear in mind
that important consideration. Mr.. AS
quith added: Il hope that before long
our Russian allies, whose work in the
first two and a half years Of the war
furnished a glorious and inspiring
chapter. will assume to the full their
share of the great common task to
which I believe the Russian nation
still is devated.'