Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-08
Germans MiscaIculated

per? There have been four hard months
! of such fighting as has never been seen
on the face of this globe not merely In
the magnitude of the armies. the losses
inflicted and sustained the Va lor dis
played but in the issues which hung in
the balance.
What has happened? At first the
German army achieved considerable Sue
cess. We had anxious moments. very
anxious moments. and those who knew
the most were most anxious The losses
were considerable in men and in mate.
rials and in number Of prisoners cap
tured far beyond any anticipation which
could have been made and which we
could have been called upon to provide
for. Had they not Immediately been
made up the second German blow might
very we'll have overwhelmed the British
army.
Remarkable Feat Of Transport
Before the battle was over. in fort.
nights time 26SOOO men We're thrown
across the channel one of the most re-
markable feats of British shipping. and
the organization of our British transport
and for the War Office. In a months
time 1850 men had been thrown
across the channel A fresh gun had
been put back for every gun that was
lost, and every deficiency in a machine
gun not merely supplied. but the num-
Der increased, and at this moment there
are more guns and more machine-guns
than the army in France ever had.
1T was the first German miscalcula-
ton They had calculated that we
could not do it. and we owe debt of
gratitude to a section of the press for
misleading the enemy. They were
mans believed we had no men to make
up the efficiency. and they made their
plans accordingly and attacked
They hit here they hit there They
hit in the south they hit in the center,
they hit in the north Why. they
thought they were destroying the British
army and that there was nothing be-
hind it. In six weeks they were hurled
back, fought to a standstill by the
British army. They were defeated in
two or three Of the most sanguinary
battles of the war. and they were left
with unhealthy salients under the fire
Of our guns and We extended our lines.
Their purpose was to overwhelm the
British army. They declared il, and
hey announced in all their inspired
press that they were going to do it. BY
May | they had left us to go south to !
make another attack. They knew it |
'oud not he done. 1t is one of the finest |
'hapters of tenacious valOr in the whole |
story of the British army. Our losses |
we're great We took step which only !
he emergency could have justified, that
s the sending Of lads of eighteen and
wenty who had received five or six
months training into the line"
Mr.. Hogge-"And giving their mothers
nothing " CCrieS of order
Lie Direct Is Passed
Mr.. Lloyd GeCrge-"That is not true"
Mr.. Hogge-"It is true"
Mr.. Lloyd GeOrge-'It is a monstrous
ie"
Mr.. Hogge-"It is true; it's lie to
av 1t il not true" (Cries of order)
Mr.. Lloyd George, proceeding:
II remember coming at Q o'clock one
ark night from BoulCgne after I had
een TO see the generals. | saw these
oys coming up by torchlight from the
oat straight to France. No sooner were
hey there than these lads had to face
eteran and victorious troops. No vet
rams ever fought with greater courage
nd with greater splendCr than these
ads TO help hurl back these legions that
ad fought to destroy the British army.
We must all be proud of the boys who
o upheld the honor of their British ma
i've land and helped to save the cause of
he Allies from disaster.
After an experience OF six weeks
ghting-it is a remarkable fact when
ou know what the German plan was
ney left the British army alone for
hree or four months. They may and
robably will come back but that is
ecause they have failed elsewhere, and
efore | quit that part of the subject let
lie recognize the assistance we have had
'om our gallant allies. No one knows
etter than those who fought in that
ampaign how invaluable was the aid
aceived from the gallant French army
! both these great battles. I only dwell
n the part which the British forces took
ecause in the main the fighting was
leirs and the losses were in the main
lers. After the nrst of May they
Irned to attack tine French. There
ever has been since the 21st Of March
n offensive conducted by forces OF the
anne magnitude.
Foeh's Victory Acknowledged
in the first attack on the French
my they were a considerable success
That has happened since then? Not
erely have they been rought to a stand
till, but General Foch-if / may call
IN by his new title, and / am sure
'erybody will join in sending a message
congratulations on the title he won by
lch skill such resource and such genius
Marshal Foch, by his counter stroke.
hich Is one of the brilliant events of
e war, has driven the enemy back.
lie enemy, who was 10 capture Calais
ID Paris by dates which vary according
the temper of the prophets from May
August-August being the latest-to
pture Paris. destroy the British army
d overwhelm the French. Is now re-
eating.
The danger Is not over. but he would
" sanguine man on the German KSt
n ata4 who would neF say that Gfth