New-York tribune., 1918-06-19

ent year, and thus had the German
hope Of nullifying American help in
the war been mistaken hope, he de-
clared.
Hurricane Is Coming
Abiding to the present hull on the
Western front, he predicted that it was
only the lull preceding hurricane.
But he had the greatest confidence in
the moral courage If tie Allied and
American troops and their readiness to
face what was coming, despite all they
had suffered and endured. Their
morale had never been higher.
"Thcse responsible" he said in con-
clusior, "look TO the future without
alarm. If three months hence none Of
the strategic objects which l have in.
dicated has been attained by the Ger
mans, then their campaign will have
failed, and, despite their previous VIC
tories, will prove to be the most disas-
trous, campaign in which they have en-
gagged.
"The future of our country and of
the world depends upon the next few
weeks. But have confidence that our
soldiers and those of our allies will not
fail u.s."
Asquith Praises Statement
Ex-premier Asquith voiced the graft
hcation of the House ut Mr.. Bonar
Laws statement and hopeful view Of
the situation, and proceeded to enlarge
on the benefit which would accrue to
Parliament and the country If the gov
eminent would more frequently take
the House into its confidence in this
manner.
He thought there had been too great
retlcence in the past, and that, looking
at the undaunted temper of the nation,
there was nothing to fear from a re-
Taxation Of this reticence compatible
with military interests. He was not in
favor of secret sessions, and believed
that most of the information previous
~ given in such secret meetings might,
without disa dvantage, have been given
quite openly. He urged the government
to give some information about other
war fronts.
Mr. Asquith, speaking of Russia, said
ne was not disposed to wipe Russia off
the slate or treat that country as
non-existent, or that she "might stew
IN her own juice" That, he declared.
would be policy of fatal shortsighte d.
ness.
I'VE ought with all our resources of
diplomacy and, If need be, with naval
and military assistance" he concluded,
enueAVor, De1ore TOO late, to build UP
relationship of friendship and init
mate alliance. Russia has far more to
lose by German victory and far more to
gain by German defeat than any one of
the separate members of the alliance" !"
Anxious to Aid Russia
Without pressing the government to
a premature declaration, Mr.. Asauith
thought it should go forth to the world
that the British people were as anxious
as ever to have Russia on their side
and to give the great Russian democ-
racy the assurance that in all its pains
and anxieties it had their sympathy
and that they hoped Russia would con-
tinue its sympathy and active assist
ance to the cause in which she was
equally interested with the Allies.
In general reference to the war
situation. he said he would like as
surance from the government that ade-
quate measures were being taken to re-
place the wastage in the combatant
forces and to improve and develop to
the utmost the railways and other com.
munications, that being matter in
which the enemy had great advantage
over the Allies. The enemy's diligence
IN this matter ought to be a lesson to
the Allies. He was not an alarmist or
a pessimist, but the eyes of the British
people must not be shut to the gravity
Of the situation they had to face.