WAR - LORD KITCHENER SPEAKS TO THE BRITISH NATION Through the House of Lords On the Ebb and Flow of Battle. LONDON, Jan. 6, 8.35 p.m. Earl Kitchener, Secretary of State for War, attended at the House of Lords to-day, and made a statement for the information of the House on the progress of the war. NOTEWORTHY WESTERN PROGRESS. His Lordship reviewed the ebb and flow of the tide of battle during the past few weeks, and deeply interested the House by surveying the whole battle front from west to east. Despite the unfavourable weather, he said, the French army had made noteworthy progress eastwards of Reims and in southern Alsace. GERMANS CHECKED IN POLAND Notwithstanding the transfer of troops to Poland the Germans had left sufficient strength behind them to hold the trenches in the west. Their aspirations in Poland, where they had concentrated their tremendous might, had suffered a severe check, and they now evidently realised the infinite difficulty of winter operations in Russia. SERVIAS EXTRAORDINARY VICTORIES. The War Minister warmly congratulated Servia on her extraordinary victories over Austria in the campaign around Belgrade, and Russia on her notable achievements against the Austro-Germans in their tremendous onslaught upon Poland. EGYPT AND AFRICA. Turning to a phase of the war, more essentially British, Lord Kitchener said the much-talked-of Turkish advance on Egypt had failed for the present to materialise. General Botha, Commander in-Chief of South Africa, had handled the South African situation in a masterly manner, auguring success of future operations. COURAGE UNDER WANTON ATTACK. Tribute was paid to the perfect courage and coolness of the people of Hartlepool, Scarborough, and Whitby in the face of the wanton attack by the German fleet which was devoid of any military significance, and could give the Germans no military advantage. ALLIES EVERY DAY IMPROVING. Continuing, Lord Kitchener said the Allies were every day increasing in resources of men and material, enabling them to prosecute the war triumphantly. The householders canvass had shown that there were 218,000 men willing to serve, and the recruiting , during Christmas week indicated a rise instead of the anticipated decrease. The War Office had completed the officers cadres for the Expeditionary Force, and there was, moreover, a considerable surplus of officers in training to draw upon. Since the war began, 29,100 officers had been appointed. The force at the front Under Field Marshal French had been increased by territorial units and a new division, including the line Canadian Regiment. nla.gov.au/nla.news-article79915771
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 00:30:00 +0000