Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-15
PREMIER DEMANDS
GREATER SACRIFICES


Peace ovcrturcs TO Prussia at the mo-
ment when her military spirit was drunk
with boastfulncss would be q betrayal
of his trust Premier Lloyd George de-
clared in his speech at Grey's Inn. The
Premier demanded greater war sacri-
fees. He said.
at Is because | am firmly convinced
| that. despite some untoward events. de-
spite discouraging appearances. We are
making steady progress toward the goal
that ] would regard peace overtures 10
Prussia at the very moment the Prus-
sian military spirit is drunk with boast
fulness as a betrayal OF the great trust
with which my colleagues and myself
have been charged"
In regard TO the Russian situation,
he said:
at would be folly to underrate the
danger, equal folly TO eNaggerate it ana
the greatest folly of all not TO face II.
"If the Russian democracy has de-
cided to abandon the struggle against
military autoCracy the American de-
mocracy is taking it up
Germany's victories were emblazoned
TO the world. the Premier said. but her
troubles did not appear in bulletins.
Something was known of them. however,
Tho deadly grip of the British navy was
having its effect and the valOr of the
troops was making an impression which
would tell in the end lie said those
who during the last fortnight were or
ganizing n nervous breakdown in the
H..
recently were organizing n hysterical
shout over the Flanders victories.
Premier Lloyd George said that a
call must be made on the nation for
great sacrifices and more fighting men
were needed until the American forces
arrived to offset the burden that had
been cast on the Allies by the detection
of Russia and the reverses of italy,
The Allies now must defend all fronts
against the enemy and have mobile
army for any point or emergency. the
Premier said and he added that the
Allies had superiority in man power
in France on the battlefront and there
were considerable British reserves at
home.
"If this Is the worst moment" said
Mr. Lloyd George cit Is because Russia
has stepped out and America is only pre-
| raring to come in. Every hour that
passes will see the gap formed by the
retirement Of the Russ ans filled by the
valiant sons OF the great republic. Ger
many knows 1t and Austria knows it,.
hence the desperate efforts that they
are making to force the issue before
/ America is ready"
! Mr.. Lloyd George said he was glad to
understand that Lord Lansdowne's re-
cent letter had been misunderstood and
| that Lord Lansdowne was in agreement
/ with President Wilson.
! Il also" the Premier declared,
agree with President Wilson and do
not desire 10 force controversy where
rome exists"
Il warn the nation to watch the man
who thinks there is a half, house be-
tween victory an defeat" the Premier
admonshed. "-here are the men who
think you can er.d the war now by some
sort Of what they call peace--by setting
up a League of Nations. That is the
right policy after victory; without VIC
tory it would be farce"
Lloyd Georges warnings. Everywhere
officials agree heartily with his view
that It is up to the United States tt
III the Russian gap-and then more.
The Cambria reverse for the British
has never been minimized here. Army
men have said It stopped short of a big
| calamity, while Secretary of War Baker
recently suggested that the whole west
front situation should not be minimized
especially In view OF prepar ltions for
an offensive with re-enforcements from
the east front,
A distinct darl-blue atmosphere was
manifest for days in Washington. How
ever, this has been swept aside in tho
realization that the front cannot be
smashed; while gloom has been sup
planted by stronger spirit-determina
tion to do the utmost. confident that vic
tory can be wrested from the Hun II
Lloyd Georges slogan, Sanity, steadi-
ness and outlook" is applied
Everywhere authorities acclaimed his
statement that there is no halfway
house between victory and defeat, and
believed that the American nation.
gradually, but surely, stirring TO its
tasks. will realize that there can be no
bargaining now with the Hun autocracy
Officials cautioned incidentally that
much pessimism and despair Is just as
bad as overconfidence They sought
however. to drive home the thought that
the war has reached stage where Ger
many has q fresh morale--and more
troops--from the Russian situation. and
= that this must be met with American
ships, more AEnericRn men and mor>
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