Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1918-01-17
FATE Of WAR
IS ON BRITAIN
British Minister of National Serv-
ice Sees No Hope for
Quick Aid.
ASkSFOR 500, 600 MORE MEN
Is Confident OF Victory, Although
France and Italy Are Weakened and
America Is Not Yet Ready-De-
MES Allies in Tight Place.

London, Jan. 16-Sir Auckland GSd-
des, minister of national service. told
Great Britain she must have a half mil
lion more young men for army service
and must prepare to send many more
into the trenches within the next year
Russians collapse, he explained in
the house of commons. .ad released at
least 100000 AuStro-German troops
for service on the western and italian
fronts; America was not vet ready to
take RUssia's place, and France is
as the point Of exhaustion.
The minister said Great Britain and
her colonies have put 100000 men in
the field and in the industrial army at
home since the start of the war. and
still has 100000 left. but these were
not enough.
Everything Depends on Britain.
"On britain, and on the skill with
which she handles her man power in
the months to come. everything de
pends," he declared. Every day tile hit
ting fOEce of Britain becomes of great
er importance to the allies.
at means everything" he continued
light, heat, and coal At the moment
the most anxious problem is not the
supply Of men for the army.
But we have TO take steps against
the time when it will be-a time which
I believe is not far distant
Russia no longer strikes for free
dom; France has poured forth her
strength in the struggle and cannot
sustain the full burden indefinitely;
America is not yet in the field, and
months must elapse before she can
advance With full stride; Italy has suf-
fered grave misfOrtunes."
Sir Auckland said it had been de
cided not to change the military age
limit nor 80 Introduce compulsory
service in Ireland The men. he said
must come from Britain alone.
He declared, however, that the sit
uation was not as serious as alarm
lists reported, adding:
THE government has examined in
detail the position of the allies on the
eastern front. and the results are not
unsatisfactory.
Excluding Russia and ROumania,
the allies have q substantial superb
GRITTY in fighting and ration strength
over the central powers. From a sta
tistical standpoint the strength of the
enemy gives no cause for anxiety.
Armies Not Melting.
plain facts do not support the
statements that our armies are melt
ing for lack of recruits and that re-
cruiting has broken down.
notwithstanding Russias defec-
ton, the resources of the allies and
America are sufficient to assure vic
tory, and nothing but a psychological
catastrophe can save the central pow
GrS.
AT sea we must be supreme in the
mir we must win supremacy, and on
land we must do the best we can to
fill the gap Russia has made until
America can take her place And all
the time we have to keep our vital in
dustries going"
Sir Auckland praised the spirit in
which the labor leaders have met the
government and praised the work Of
the women, but declared that some Of
the young men among the million eX-
empted workers apparently considered
themselves privileged and threatened
to hold up by strikes the building of
airplancs and ships. He added:
eff they do they will meet such
blast Of hatred it will surprise them"
The minister opened his speech with
the declaration that the man power
problem could not be solved by a dra-
matte stroke. 1t was the central prob
lem of the war, he said
a q n q L q