South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-06-19
CREDITS
FOR WAR COSTS
ARE 50 BILLIONS
Bonar Law introduces New
Vote of Credit for $780,
100000 PoundS-Re-
views Situation.

]
/ house of commons Tuesday, gave
some figures regarding the total war
credits which with the present ap-
I preparation, would amount TO T.
/ SAP, 100000 pounds, and announced
that he would postpone until to-
morrow his common national eN-
penditure. He then proceeded 10
\ give a review of the general situa-
ton.
THE latest phase of this great
struggle" he said, is the Austrian
offensive in Italy. II is part Of an
| intense offensive which has been
carried on along the whole battle
front Our enemies are right in
thinking that a great success gained
/ on that front would have far reach
! ing, perhaps decisive, results on
the general battle front in France.
For that reason the general sus-
picion that the initiative came from
Berlin, rather than from Vienna,
believe to be justified.
The offensive was launched by
a large number of Austrian divi-
sions. A good deal more than half
their total force on that front is en-
! gagged in the attack. All 1 can say
today is that after three days OF
! fighting the attack has failed.
Enemy's Latest Objective Fails.
Our advices from Italian head
quarters are that the enemy has
not secured in three days the OBJ
jectives which they had hoped to
obtain the first day. And il also is
true 10 say that no offensive on this
scale throughout the whole war has
at its initiation secured so little
success.
There is no doubt that our own
and the French troops are giving a
good account of themselves, ana the
Italians have been lighting through
out with the highest courage and
the most marked tenacity. The
Italian higher command has no fear
of the result. The danger is not
yet over. but the government can
express admiration and gratitude to
the italians for the share they have
taken in the general struggle"
Knew German Plan Before Drive.
Speaking of the western front Mr.
Bonar Law said that British and
French headquarters knew the po-
sitions 10 which the German diyi-
sions were being sent before the
commencement of the offensive on
/ March 81 He admitted that the
attack had attained an amount OF
success which had caused the ut
most anxiety.
But" he added. three months
have. passed and although the bat
tie is a continuous one, we can look
back upon what has happened with
some confidence.
Germans Had Three Objectives.
In the whole campaign the Ger
mans have had before them three
great detectives, one was Paris; an
other was the channel ports; the
third was not only the defeat, if
they could achieve il. of the allied
army, but the breaking cf the COM
munications between the British
and French forces. Although the
allies have had TO give much
ground, not one of the enemy's
strategic detectives has been at
tanned.
II think if any one in the early
days of the struggle had suggested
TO Hindenburg that after three
months the position would be what
il is today, he would have treat
ed the suggestion with scorn. There
is clear and increasing evidence in
the German press that they are be-
coming disappointed with the sue
cess. great as it has been. which
has attended the German arms SO
far.
ION the other hand, II We could
have foreseen three months ago
what the position is now, our
anxiety would have been less"
The chancellor classed the battle
of St Quentin and the first battle
OF the Iys as great German sue
cesses. while the battle OF Arras
was one in which the British were
entirely victorious The same was
true of the second phase Of the bat
tie of the I.ys, he said
Regarding that part OF the line
held by the French, he said. the first
attack was a great victory for the
/ Germans. but that later an immense
attack was started which entirely
failed in its object.
Question OF Reserves.
"The offensive OF March Fl, he
continued. has brought about unity
OF command. which results have
justified. The long continued bat
tie must be a question of reserves
The great source OF allied reserve:
is America and il is undoubtedly
part of the German scheme TO use
I'D the allied reserve before they
can be reinforced from America
But in this they have not succeed
ed
u wish IL were possible 10 tell the
house the number OF troops which
since March i have been sent from
this country 10 strengthen our owr
forces. II is a large number. but
az have said. the main source OF
the allied reserves is America.
L. :. Troops Have justified Hopes
Necessity has made il possible
what seemed impossible. This
American troops are now coming
they have come. America is not
coming into the war; she is in Il.
II am sure that every member
~ the house realizes and Is delight.