London, Feb. 16.
In the House of Lords, Lord Kitchener, reviewing the situation, announced that although the Indian troops had been withdrawn from France the British Forces there had been materially increased by eight divisions (about 160,000) of the New Army.
Adequate preparations have been made for the threatened invasion of Egypt.
Lord Kitchener said that General Aylmer was awaiting further reinforcements before advancing.
He mentioned how seriously the numbers of men immediately obtainable under the Derby Scheme had been affected by exemptions. He hoped soon to be able to reassure the House on the chances of obtaining the numbers required.
Lord Kitchener explained that at the outset the Allies were hampered at Salonika by inadequate har-hour and railway facilities.
Reviewing the role of the Allies he said that the moral of the French was now at its highest level, while the Italians had shown courage. He was sure that in spite of the strength of the enemies' positions we should eventually push our attack home. Russia was now reorganized and equipped and the activity of the people in the manufacture of munitions demonstrated their determination to win.
Though the attempt of the Senussi on the western flank of Egypt, which up to the p: it has resulted in complete failure and disaster, had caused a certain feeling of unrest, the admirable loyalty of the Egyvtians was an effective barrier to the raider penetrating to the cultivated areas, Lord Kitchener stated that the operations in Mesopotamia, which
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