Sir Auckland Geddes, speaking at Bristol said: The failure of Russia and the consequent release of German prisoners had altered the whole balance of the war, putting an unprecedented strain on Britain. One million six hundred thousand enemy troops could be transferred to the west. The main burden of the Alliance was at present resting on Britain. The German armies were distributed equally in France and Flanders, but on the British front they were massed in great blocks, and if Germany saw a chance, she would strike not only at our forces, but at the heart of England. We could, however, meet the blow if we all pull together. The army was now taking men aged forty three, and men up to fifty were wanted for Home defence. Sir A. Geddes believed we should parry the blow at such a cost to Germany, as would bring the end appreciably near, but if there were divided counsels during the next few weeks, the defensive forces and activities of Government would be weakened.
