The daily times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1902-1936, 1918-08-09
THE GREAT
BRITISH NAVY
And What it Has Accomplish
ed is Described in tSpeech
of Lloyd George
IN HOUSE OF COMMONS


George gave the House of Commons
Wednesday afternoon, on the eve or
its recess, a review of the war sltu-
alton. He emphasized the great ser
vice of the British Navy, announced
the sinking of $50 submarines, and
dwelt on the size Of the reinforce
ments sent to France, after the first
German onset this year.
He handsomely acknowledged the
services of the American, and mem
bers cheered warmly his compliments
to the high efficiency of American
officers.
In tones of deep conviction, he de-
nounced Germany's ruthless methods
of making peace, and declared that
no league of nations would be possi-
BILE until Prussian arrogance had
been eradicated by a definite militia
ry defeat
Later in the debate, the Premier
rose to make short explanation OF
what he had stated in his speech.
When he was dealing with the mill
tary and naval effort, which this
country had put forth, he referred to
what he called "a contract entered
into with France" He thought the
word contract" was too strong. He
quoted letter written by the then
Sir Edwarl Grey to the French Mn
bassador in March, 1912, dealing
with relations between the two coun-
tries, and said that after reading
that letter he thought the words ''ob-
legations of honor" would have bet
ter described the position than the
use of the word contract.
In his speech Mr. Lloyd George
said:
when the British Empire decided
to throw the whole weight of its
might into the greatest war the
world has ever witnessed, it did not
do so because it believed that British
soil was to be invaded or even
threatened with invasion, but be-
cause of an outrage upon interna-
tional right. Had it not taken that
decision the whole course of the war
would have been different. The his
tory of the world for generations to
come would have taken a different
course. | do not wish to exaggerate
in the least the part which the Brit
ish Empire has in the conflict, but a
mere glance at the events of the last
four years will show how great and
how decisive its influence has been
upon the turn of those events.
when the war began we had the
most powerful navy in the world. 1t
was as powerful as the three next
navies of the world, and when units
OF command is taken into account it
was more powerful than the three
next navies, but we had the smallest
army of any great power in Europe.
We had contract with France that
II she were wantonly attacked, the
United Kingdom would come to her
support. There was no compact as
to what forces we should bring into
the arena. In any discussion that
ever took place in this country OF
outside there was no idea that we
should ever be able to employ a
greater force than six divisions.
When there was a discussion in the
House about the British expeditiona-
ry force the maximum was the six
division limit. In whatever arrange
ment was come to l think history
would say that we have more than
kept faith.
Il should like to say one word
about redeeming the pledge. I d.
so because there is real danger T.,
the more minutely and CONSTANT,
described events on land to overlook
the part which the British Navy is
playing in this conflict. There ar.
+, two great struggles being carried on
ono on land and one on sea. One !.
carried on almost before our eyes
Incidents are pictured from day t.
day by men who are engaged espe
cially for the purpose of describin,
them. Every turn in events is nor
trayed, unlike the other struggle
that takes place on vast wilderness
OF sea over hundreds of thousand
OF square miles, with no one to wit
nesss 1t or to describe 1t except thos
who take part In the fierce struggle
1T has been prolonged four year
without break. No darkness ar
rests II. No weather and no Wiute,