New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-13
Solidarity Will
Win, He Declares
Single Front, Single
Army and Single
Nation" Urged by
Premier Painleve


on the Allied fronts is absolutely es-
sential for the successful prosecution
OF the war, and its realization will 20
far to bring victory, Premiers Lloyd
George of Great Britain and Painleve
of France declared in addresses here
to-day at a luncheon in honor of the
visiting Prime Minister, who has just
returned from the Italian war zone. and
Signor Barenini, Italian Minister OF
Education.
"A single front. single army, sim
gle nation-that is the programme
requisite for future victory" said
Premier Painleve. "If, after forty
months of war, after all the lessons
the war has taught us, the Allies were
not capable OF that sacred international
union, then, in spite of their sacrifices,
they would not be worthy of victory
Premier Lloyd George, alluding TO a
centralized direction of the Allied cf-
forts, said:
Unfortunately. we did not have time
to consult the United States or Russ q
before creating ;his council. The ltal-
ian disaster necessitated action with.
out delay to repair IT. This made I;
indispensable 10 commence right now
with the powers whose forces may be
employed on the Italian front.
Mr.. Lloyd George developed at con-
siderable length the reasons for not
taking the step earlier. He referred to
"tim dites and susceptfbilities" when
it came TO treating questions on any
front not commanded by generals tah.
ing part in the Inter-Allied consulta-
tions The Allies had committed a
great fault, he said, in not adequately
assisting Serbia in holding her line,
with the result that the Central En-.
pires broke the blockade and procured
men and supplies from the east, with.
out which Germany doubtless would
have been unable 70 maintain the force
of her armies.
"Why was this unbelievable fault
committed ," asked the Premier. "The
reply is simple. 1t was because no one
in particular was charged with guard
ing the Balkan gate. The unique front
had not become a reality. France and
England were absorbed by other prob
lens in other regions. Italy thought
only of the Carso. Russia was mount
ing guard over frontier OF a thoi-
sand miles, and, even without that'
she could not have passed through TO
have helped Serbia because Rumana
was neutral.
at is true that we sent troops to
Salonica TO succor Serbia, but, as al
WAYS, they were sent too late. Half
the men who fell in the vain effort 70
pierce the Western front in September
that same year would have saved Ser
bia. saved the Balkans and completed
the blockade Of Germany.
Tragedy Repeated
"You may say this is an old story.
Grant YOU that. IL was simply the first
chapter of a series that has continued
10 the present hour. Nineteen hundred
and fifteen was the year Of the Serbian
tragedy; 1916 was the year of the Ru-
tragedy, which was repetition
of the Serbian story almost without
change. This is unbelievable when you
-bink of the consequences to the Allies
,auso of the Rumanian defeat-opulent
wheat fields and rich petroleum wells
passed TO the enemy. ana Eermany was
able TO escape us. Through the harvest
~ 1917 the siege Of the Central Pow
.rs was raised once more and the nor
-;bIa war was once more prolonged. /
That would not have happened mad
,Lare existed some central authority
,harged with meditating upon the prob
EN- of the war for the entire theatre
IF the war"
the Premier said:
As far as | am concerned, ! had ar
rived at the conclusion that II nothing
was changed / could no longer accept
the responsibility for the direction OF
, war condemned TO disaster from lack
Of unity. -,
Ttaly's misfortune may still save the
alliance, because without II l 90 not
think that even to-day we would nave
created veritable superior council
and professional traditions
OF prestige and susceptiblli-
ties all conspired 20 render our best de-
-isions vain. No one in particular pore
lie blame. The guilt was in the natu-
raj difficulty OF ObtaiHlHb VI 81 "'""J
,et;ons. of so many independent or
that they should amalga-
nate ali their individual particularities (
10 act together as II they were but one
people
No Doubt of Wars Issue
Mr.. LLOYD George later said:
81 have spoken to-day with frank I.
,ess that is perhaps brutal, at the risk |
4 being lily understood here and else
Ybere and not perhaps without risk I
~ giving a temporary encouragement |
q the enemy, because now that we have !
established this council IL is for Us TO
zee that the unity IL represents be
fact and not an appearance.
The war has been prolonged by
IL will be shortened By
solidarity. II the effort TO organize
our united action becomes a reality, |
have no doubt as 10 the issue Of the
war. The weight Of men and material
and OF moral factors in every sense OF
the word is on our side. ! say Il, no
matter what may happen 20 Rus,ia or
in Russia A revolutionary Russia can
never be anything but a menace TO
But, even II VIC are