New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-04-09
Hurricane Not Yet Over.

London, April, 9.-Premier Lloyd
George announced In the house of
commons this afternoon that the
Irish convention report had been laid
upon the table today.
Premier Lloyd George told the
house that when the battle on the
Somme front commenced the total
strength of the German army on the
west front was approximately equal
to the total of the Entente allies
Mr.. Lloyd George said his man
power proposal would involve an eX-
treme sacrifice by part of the popu-
lation of Great Britain.
The Cambria battle he said, was
virtually trial event, which COM
pared with the recent battle, and
until the strain relaxed, it would be
difficult to find out exactly what had
happened.
In the course of his speech the
premier said:
We have entered the most critical
period of the war. There is a luli in
the storm but the hurricane is not
yet over. The fate of the empire, Of
Europe and of liberty may depend on
success with which the last German
attack is resisted and countered."
The premier said the cabinet had
taken every step to hurry reinforce
ments. The number of guns and
prisoners taken had been grossly eX-
aggerated by the Germans.
The ministry of munitions, he said,
ha II
and there were reserves left. Tho
cabinet was confident the army will
be equal to the next encounter.
Mr.. Lloyd George said the cabinet
had decided to recall General Cough,
who was in command of the Fifth
army against which the Germans
made their principal gains. Until all
the circumstances Of his retirement
are known. it would be unfair to
censure him. Having gained an in
itial success, Mr.. Lloyd George went
on the enemy was preparing i
greater attack and it would be y
fatal error to under estimate the
gravity Of the prospect.
In view of the critical period which
has been reached, he said, the gov
ernment purposed tC submit to par
lament today certain recommends
tionS in order to assist the country
and its allies to weather the storm.
He regretted to say that these pro-
posals involved extreme sacrifices on
the party of large classes OF the
population and nothing would justify
them except necessity and the TACT
that the nation was fighting Tor all
which vas essential and most sacred
to the nations life.
No army was ever before trans
ferred across the channel as quickly
as were the troops sent to relieve the
situation, the premier asserted. He
referred to the appointment of Gen.
Foch and said it was the most i'm
portant decision which had been
taken regarding the coming battle.
The premier said the fighting
legions of the Americans would be
brought to bear imm ediately, although
1t was possible to put into France at
the moment the number of trained
Americans as a separate army as was
expected.
Referring to the Turkish campaign
the premier said two Turkish armies
| had been destroyed in Palestine and
( Mesopota mia. German battalions had
! been sent to help the Turks.
| The, premier said the fight might
! continue for seven or eight months.
For the British army and navy, he
said nearly 100000 men had been
raised already.
| The issue of the great battle might
we'll be determined, he declared, by
| the dramatic intervention of President
| Wilson and his action in placing the
American troops at the disposal of the
| allies.