The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-26
British Premier Makes Very Optimistic Speech on Lessening of U-Boat
 Menace
MOST SATISFACTORY NEWS HEARD IN MANY MONTHS IS CHEERED
Tells People Food Situation Better, But There Is to Be No Let-Up in
 Economy

London, May 25.-Premier Lloyd George, on announc- ing in the House of Com mons today that, more effec- tive blows had been dealt submarines in the last four weeks than during any cor responding period of the war, paid a tribute to the as- sistance of the American navy, saying:
 we owe very considerable debt of gratitude to the great American people for the effective assistance they have rendered and the craft they have placed at our disposal. Now that the American nation is in the war, it is easier to make arrange ments for the protection of our mer- chantmen than it was before"
 LOUD CHEERING
 The statement was loudly cheered.
 The premiers statement on submarine warfare was altogether the most satis- factory heard in England in many months.
 During the last three weeks, or month we have dealt more effectively with sub marines than during any corresponding period of the war. This is of this weeks efforts, as well as of the preceding weeks. There is no doubt the effect will be made manifest in a considerable re- ducton of our shipping losses.
 It is true we are not through the month of May, but if the ratio of losses during the last a days is not exceeded, then the reduction upon April will be very considerable. Indeed, there does not seem to be any reason to anticipate any verse figures in the coming week The arrangements made for dealing with SUD- marines have been increasingly effective" ,"
 T think the nation,' MT. Lloyd George continued, 'has very good reason to con graduate itself upon the substantial inn provement and l may say unexpectedly early improvement in dealing with the submarine menace"
 FOOD SUPPLY
 Turning to the food supply the premier said
 There is distinct Improvement in our food prospects as result of the improvement in the submarine situa- ton. It is very difficult, however, to give a favorable answer which would not be mschevicus. If I were to say there IS no danger of starvation of the people | would be saying. What's the good of cut ting up our grass land, and what's the rush from one extreme to another We must appeal to the common sense of the nation. say that if the nation econo- mizes and is not guilty of waste, if those who have got lands favorable for the production of food make the best use of them, if the workmen turn. out tractors to enable us to plough, >if the army helps with the men available; if, in fact, we all behave like req sonable human beings who want to save their country from disaster privation and distress, the sup- marine menace is not one that need cause us any fear that the war is going to be lost for that reason"
 THE IRISH QUESTION
 In speaking of the proposed Irish con vention, Premier Lloyd George said:
 Tt is very important that the repre-
 
 will command the confidence of the peo- pie of Ireland" he said. Tt Is very de- slratle that the convention should be of a character which will make the people of Ireland feel that the government has made sincere effort to secure real rep ress ntst tion of all views aud aspects ot the question.