Nelson's history of the war. Vol. XI., The struggle for the Dvina, and the great invasion of Serbia

CHAPTER LXXX.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN FRANCE AND BRITAIN.

Popular Criticism in France and Britain—The Censorship—Its Difficulties and Mistakes—Trafalgar Day and its LessonsThe King’s Message to his People—The Execution of Miss Cavell—Lack of a Consistent Strategic Policy—Demosthenes’ Words to the Athenians—The General Staff in London reconstructed—Lord Kitchener's Mission to the Near EastAppointment of a War Council—Mr. Churchill resignsBeginning of the Derby Recruiting Campaign—Its Methods — The Economic Situation in Britain—The Two Main Problems—The September Budget—New Taxation—The Question of paying for Imports from Abroad—The Register of American Securities—An Anglo-French Loan raised in America—The Pooling of British Imperial Resources—M. Delcassé’s Resignation—New French Ministry formed—Its Strength in Experts and Elder Statesmen—M. Briand—The American Note of 5th November—Criticism.

in France and Britain of that uneasiness with

the conduct of the war which had been noticeable in May. The purport of recent events was writ too large for the most casual to miss. The situation in the Near East was ugly, and the Allied Governments seemed to speak with an uncertain voice. The first exhilaration after the September advance in the West had been succeeded by a doleful reaction, in which the results gained were unduly depreciated. Germany seized the occasion to revive the preposterous peace talk of early September,

Te beginning of October saw a recrudescence