he task upon which we are engaged. It is too soon to speculate upon the
results of the great battle which is waging in France. Everything that
we have heard, during four long days of anxiety seems to point to a
marked and substantial turning of the tide.

German Plans Miscarried.

We have seen the forces of the French and British Armies strong enough
not only to contain and check the devastating avalanche which had swept
across the French frontier, but now at last, not for an hour or for a
day, but for four long days in succession, it has been rolled steadily
back. [Cheers.] With battles taking place over a front of 100 or 150
miles one must be very careful not to build high hopes on results which
are achieved even in a great area of the field of war. We are not
children looking for light and vain encouragement, but men engaged upon
a task which has got to be put through. Still, when every allowance has
been made for the uncertainty with which these great operations are
always enshrouded, I think it only fair and right to say that the
situation tonight is better, far better, than a cold calculation of the
forces available on both sides before the war should have led us to
expect at this early stage. [Cheers.]

It is quite clear that what is happening now is not what the Germans
planned, [laughter,] and they have yet to show that they can adapt
themselves to the force of circumstances created by the military power
of their enemies with the same efficiency that they have undoubtedly
shown in regard to plans long prepared, methodically worked out, and
executed with the precision of deliberation.

The battle, I say, gives us every reason to meet together tonight in
good heart. But let me tell you frankly that if this battle had been as
disastrous as, thank God, it appears to be triumphant, I should come
before you with unabated confidence and with the certainty that we have
only to continue in our efforts to bring this war to the conclusion
which we wish and intend. [Cheers.]

We did not enter upon this war with the hope of easy victory; we did not
enter upon it in any desire to extend our territory, or to advance and
increase our position in the world; or in any romantic desire to shed
our blood and spend our money in Continental quarrels. We entered upon
this war reluctantly after we had made every effort compatible with
honor to avoid being drawn in, and we entered upon it with a full
realization of the sufferings,