The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-05-24
EVE OF GREAT
ENEMY ATTACK
SAYS PREMIER
OF ENGLAND
Next Few Weeks for Both
Enemy and Allies Will Be
Race Between Wilson and
Hindenburg.''
SHIPPING ON INCREASE
(By Associated Press.)

LONDON, May 24.-"We are on the
eve Of great German attack" said
premier Lloyd George In an address at
Edinburs today. Those who know
the prospects best are feeling most
confident about ,ne resuits."
In April, said the premier, the out.
put Of shipping for the first time ex-
eeeded the losses.
"For the Germans, ~ we'll as for 10,
the next few weeks will be q race be-
tween Hindenburq and President vii.
son." said Mr.. Lloyd George. "The
Germans are training every muscle
to reach the goal first on the eve Of
American help becoming available for
the allies.
~ honestly say" the premier de.
ciared," that the government has neg.
Iected no possible means for finding
out whether there 10 any honorable
outlet OF this war, its horrors and
tragedies"
Mr.. Lloyd Georges address was de-
hvered in connection with the CONFER.
ing OF the freedom Of the city upon
him.
Speaking of the time necessary for
the United States to prepare for full
participation in the war, the premier
said that after all her exertions
America at the present moment did
not have what was equivalent to Or
nth OF the fighting strength which
the enemy had received owing to the
collapse OF Russia. He added that it
took time to train and equip armies
and that American help could not be
reckoned on for some time.
The premier's statement about the
submarine situation were most opti.
mistic. He said that as q means of
1nflicting injury the submarine was
still formidable but az danger which
might mean the winning or LOSING of
the war he declared the allies could
rule 1t out.
OFFICIALS ARE PUZZLED.
WASHINGTON, May 24.-Premier
Lloyd Georges statement that the
United States had thus far been able
to counter balance less than one-ftfth
OF the fighting strength the Germans
gained for west front operations
through the collapse of Russia left
officials here somewhat puzzled as to
the figures upon which it was based.
In view Of the fact that Secretary
Baker formally announced sometime
ago that more than SOC, American
troops were in France it was pointed
out that the British Premier's state
ment would indicate that between g.
100000 and 100000 German troops
had been released from the eastern
front and were being employed in
the west. Army officers here do not
believe Germany received any such
advantage from the Russian collapse.
1t was regarded as probable that
Premier Lloyd George was basing his
statement Cn the number of men of
the American army now in line before
Amiens, with the French forces. The
strength of that American force has
never been made public, but It is
known to be In excess of one division
and probably. counting all auxiliaries
as well as line regiments, reaches a
figure at least above 100000. II that
is true and the premier based his cal.
culations upon an American partici.
patton Of 100000 men 1t would indi
cate British information was that half
million German troops had been
withdrawn from the eastern front for
use in the west