GERMANY'S B G EFFORT.

Marlborough Express, Volume LI, Issue 83, 10 April 1917, Page 3

GERMANY'S B G EFFORT.

WHY BRITAIN NEEDS MEN

500,000 WANTED BEFORE JULY

LONDON, April 6. > The Press Bureau reports :thatGeneral Sir William Itobei-tson, Chief. of the General • Staff, addressing a".conference, including trade unionists, regarding /he : trade card scheme, admitted fcnat the War Office made like anyone else, but the country at the outbreak of war lacked a national war organisation. It was no use crying over spilt milk. or blaming ndividuals. The whole nation was blameworthy. There had also been mistakes in military operations, but marvellously few considering the necessity to improvise armies. Let them treat disgruntled criticism with contempt arid put their shotilders to the wheel. Germany had a long start, and it was difficult to catch up. Germany was retreating on the Somme neither to fool us nor because she was defeated. The I fact was that she dared not stand up to further punishment in the old position. No one retired in war voluntarily. Germany was not yet beaten. She was retiring in order to become s stronger. Germany was now numerically stronger than ever. She had more divisions in the field than in 1916, and a million more soldiers. She was able to do this by over-riding international and human laws in Poland, Belgium, and elsewhere, and also by compulsory civilian service. We needed men to meet this desperate effort. It was impossible to put a limit to the army's requirements of men. We needed all that could be spared. Our immediate needs were half a million before July. Otherwise undoubtedly the war would be prolonged. Sir William Robertson paid a tribute to the Empire's achievements and sacrifices hitherto, but hel appealed to everybody to "put forth further efforts and make even greater sacrifices before it was too late, in order, with God's help, to secure the freedom for which we were compelled to fight. Sir John Jellicoe said that in order to obtain security large numbers of small craft were required. He therefore appealed to shipbuilding men to do their utmost. There was-no one I sovereign remedy for the submarine, and the methods of dealing with it were a combination of devices. Fresh schemes were daily introduced. He added that whilst it was true that the submarines were not getting off scot-free, there was undoubtedly a serious time before the country, and food economy must be the order of the day. He paid a tribute to the gallantry of the mercantile marine. I The menace could be successfully ! combated if consumption were kept 1 down to real necessities, and' each ■' worked hard in his own sphere with : the single aim of successfully ending the war at the earliest possible moment. ' ■,

who heroically stuck to his gun throughout the bombardment, even when all his comrades .were out of action, and until his magazines ran out, has been awarded the Military Medal. He showed übter disregard of danger. In connection with the same raid the Military Medal has been awarded to William Elliot Gordon, who first sighted the advanc r ing enemy and turned his Lewis gun on to them with excellent results; to Private Frederick ,Andrew, who displayed great gallantry in keeping his machine-gun in action throughout; and to John Thomas Clearwater, who on a night post encountered the enemy, nnd .showed __ an utter contempt for danger in driving them back.

Medals have also been awarded Sergeant Adrian John Mason, who saved the lives of three wounded men, carrying one out under heavy ; fire; to Corporal John McQuillan, who distinguished himself in repelling some raiders; and Sergt. Walter James Murray for similar work. The weather is still wintry, with snow lying on the ground. Apart from some cases or mumps, there is little sickness, and the Division as a whole ja in 'splendid form. Our football team h^as an unbeaten record, and the pierrot troupe nightly draws large audiences; A/horse show will be held this month. , ■■ ..