Evening star., 1918-06-25
HUN BLOW IN WEST
|SEXPECTED SOON
Premier Lloyd George Finds
Confidence in Stream OF
U. S. Troops.
LAUDS AMERICAS EFFORT
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, June 24-Premier Lloyd
George announced today that the next
couple of months would be anxious
ones. There might be a great blow
coming in the next few hours, ne
said, and certainly in the next few
days and on this blow the issue OF
the campaign might depend.
The entente allies, he added, never
felt better prepared to meet it. The al
lied position was gradually improving,
and he could say without boasting,
which would be folly. that the allied
generals felt confident as to the
issue.
Replying to criticisms of the mill
tary policy and to suggestions that
the cabinet had overruled military
advice. Mr.. Lloyd George said he
thought that Mr.. Bonar Law last week
had given all the information that
could be furnished at the present
moment consistent with military
prudence. Naturally. questions about
the distribution and numbers of
troops could not be answered.
Concerning the American troops,
the numbers arriving since March 21
said the premier, had been more than
satisfactory, and he added: ut Is an
amazing piece of organization which
has enabled the bringing of such vast
numbers of f1rst-rate American troops
to France"
Troops of Finest Quality.
In declining to give figures as to
tho numbers of American troops, the
premier said they were quiet enough
to encourage the allies and disap-
point and ultimately defeat the CEN
trail powers. They were of the very
best quality, and many were already
on the firing line. He hoped that
that soon very many more would be
there
1t was impossible, said the premier,
to make computation of the rela-
tive strength of the forces at the
present date. The American troops
were arriving at great rate, and he
should be very surprised if in COM
paratively short time the allied
strength on the western front was
not greater than the Germans.
The Germans were in the position
OF having to throw in their last re-
serves within the next two months,
and lacked further reserves except
by the most drastic combing from es-
sential industries. There were indi-
cations that they were already re-
sorting to such combing, which
PAoNSo tHdt the allies ndQ lnulClSQ
heavy losses in the course of this
campaign.
Turning to recent battles, the
premier declared that the enemy had
, intended to reach Compiegne. but had
failed and were beaten back by the
the Germans undoubtedly were very
serious. and. on the whole, the
premier declared, the last German at
tack on the allies was undoubtedly a
defeat, for the enemy failed to reach
his objectives.
Ready to Aid Russia.
With regard to Russia, that coun-
try was in a perfectly chaotic condi-
tion.
II quite agree that it is to our
interest and just and equitable to
stand by Russia-if Russia wants US
been brutally treated by Germany.
She has been dismembered, and the
treaties which Germany concluded
have not been respected twenty-four
hours. No doubt these facts are get
ting well into the minds Of the Rus
some months ago that there was no
differences between the allied and
the enemy countries. but that all were
striving greedily for territory, has
disappeared The Russians are pe8ln-
ming to realize what German mill
tarism means.
The Italian victory is one of the
most portentous events of the year"
said the premier, land it may have
infinitely greater results than other
victories which look bigger. 1t is a
defeat inflicted on a power not in the
best condition to sustain it."
with regard to the western front.
It would be a mistake to think that
the danger is over" said Mr.. Lloyd
George. in concluding his address.
But whatever our difficulties might
be, the central powers difficulties are
infinitely greater, with populations
driven by hunger to something in the
nature. not merely of discomfort and
sedition, but even in some important
cities in Austria to revolt, and with
more than half the Austrian army
sympathizing with the objects of the
country with which they are fighting.
''The central powers also have diff
culties in other countries-in Bull
garia and Turkey. I point these
things out not to raise false hopes.
but to show that all we need Is to
keep steady. endure and stand fast
There is not the faintest doubt In
my mind. surveying the whole posi-
fion and lopkfpQ the whole factS