On Wednesday Mr. Lloyd George made his first statement as
Minister of Munitions, his prime object being the recom- mendation to the House of a Bill to make provision for furthering the supply of munitions. The speech is described by all who beard it as impressive in a high degree. In parts it was plain and businesslike, but in others the Munitions Minister gave rein to his great oratorical powers. The shortage of munitions was, he declared, serious, and was certainly known to the enemy. Ultimate victory or defeat depended on the supply of munitions which the rival countries could produce. The Central European Powers were turning out two hundred and fifty thousand shells a day, or nearly eight millions a month. If we were in earnest we could ultimately surpass that output. If we could produce within the next few months as much as France could produce, we should have an overwhelming superiority over the enemy in the material essential to victory.
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