New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-17
Premier Puts Britain's Net
Losses From U-Boats Un-
der 25O,OO0 Tons a Month
Grain Stocks Gain;
Harvest Promising
George Sees, With Help of
u. S., Tonnage Enough
for 1918 and 1919

LONDON, Aug. ia message or
hope and quiet confidence in the future
was given TO the British nation to-day
in the House of Commons BY Premier
Lloyd George. The people of the Brit
ish Isles cannot be starved, despite 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 con-
clusion, "for courage, for endurance,
for hope, for unity. Let US go through
this hour with temper that will ena-
BILE us to destroy a great military des-
potism. Let us go through this hour
with the old temper of our race. so that
next yes- we shall begin, and the
wosId shall begin, to reap the fruits of
our vaiorr
Plenty of Grain
The stock of wheat in Great Britain
has increased by one-third within a
year. and this years harvest promises
we'll; but economy still is necessary.
German claims as to British ship
ping losses, the Premier said. were ex-
aggerated in the hope of cheering up
the people of the Central Powers. Al
though the submarine losses in April
had been 100000 tons. they had de-
, creased until the average for July and
August would be 175.000 tons net each.
Shipbuilding had been speeded up.
vessels had been purchased abroad and
the total tonnage acquired in 1917
would reach nearly 100000. The
Premier said ne believed the losses
would grow smaller. and that the Ad-
miralty had met with success in meet
ing the submarine menace. while
measures taken by the shipping con-
troller had permitted vessels to carry
increased tonnage.
The Premier said that this time last
year the wheat in this country
amounted to 6,4S0,000 quarters. and
that now it is 8,5OO,000 quarters "a
quarter is equivalent to $50 pounds).
The stock of oats and barley, he de-
clared, also was higher
There had been a considerable saw
ing in bread consumption. however. the
Premier said, and, owing 10 closer
milling and food economy, there had
been an addition to the wheat stock
of 10000 quarters a week.
Harvest Area Increased
He declared that acreage under cul-
,ivation showed an increase Of one
million acres. II the harvest weather
was good the condition of food sup
plies was very satisfactory. The
Premier added that there had been an
increase in the sugar reserve.
THE government has come 20 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"
He added that in the single month OF
April 100000 gross tons of shipping
were lost through Teuton submarines.
In July the tonnage lost went down to
100000 gross tons. This month there
was a substantial improvement over
that of July
The net losses since the commence
ment of Germany's unrestricted subms-
rine warfare was under 100000 tons
month, he said.
Germany now is barely able 10 hold
her own-not even that's ne declared.
Beating the U-Boats
He submitted figures TO show 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 l.
424, 900.
The Premier also said that con-
siderable addition had been made in
the programme Of naval construction.
With the cooperation of America, the
| Premier said, there would be sufficient
tonnage for all Of 1918, and, II neces-
sary, 1919. Although tonnage had de-
creased during the last year. he added.
more goods had been carried from over
seas.
81 think," the Premier said. the
| time has come for useful review OF
/ the military situation. The main facts
are well known TO enc House and the
country. had anticipated this year a
great converging movement against our
! foes. Russia was equipped for that
| part as she never before had been
equipped. | venture to say that the
nippers were beginning TO grip, but.
to be quite frank, one claw Of the nip
pers is out of repair for the moment,
I and therefore we have not got the same
converging pressure We had anticipatd.
"But things are mending. The situs-
tion in Russia is a very difficult one,
and | should be sorry to say anything
which would make it more difficult, be-
cause it is quite obvious you cannot
even state facts without embarrassing z
those who are trying 10 restore the
situation in that country. But while
they are doing il with great courage
and | think with great thoroughness
the brunt Of the fighting must fall
upon other countries. And considering
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