The press MONDAY, JULY 8, 1918. A Notable Fourth of July.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16258, 8 July 1918, Page 6

The press MONDAY, JULY 8, 1918. A Notable Fourth of July.

The oelebratioa of Independence Day in America in 1918 stands on a loftier plane than any previous celebration of the anniversary. Mr Baker, the Secretary of War,, very aptly referred £o the day as the promise of an Independence Day for all mankind. Mr Daniels, Secretary of the Navy declared that America would not lay down the swordi unjil the menace of Prussianism . had been wiped out. Out of the tragedy of war, ho added, there would arise a peace guaranteed to all free nations. But Independence Day ftas marked not only by eloquent speeches, but by notable and weighty deeds. America, like Great Britain, had her difficulties on entering upon a huge undertaking for which there was no precedent in her history, but she has now got into her stride, and her preparations are proteeding at a most impressive rate. The launch of nearly a hundred ships, with a tonnage of 450,000, and fourteen destroyers, is a fact which in itself makes Independence Day this year unparalleled in American history. During the first twelve months, we are told, American shipbuilding yards have turned out 1622 vessels, bringing up the strength of the mercantile marine to more than ton million tons. The American army at home and abroad, acoording to Mr Baker now consists' of 160,000 officers juid 2,010,000 men, and it is understood that of these close on a million are already in France.

The material support which America is giving in this war is very groat, and may well prove the deciding factor. But the moral effect of American intervention is not less important. Tho justico of the Allies' cause was never moro clearly vindicated than when America, n country whose traditional policy was totally opposed to taking any part in the politics of the Old World, and who had tho strongest material inducements td continue to profit by the war as a neutral, suddenly flung herself into the' arena, declaring that tho crimes of Germany could no longer bo tolerated by any self-respecting nation. In his memorable proclamation of April 15th, 1917, addressed to the American people, President Wilson, asserted that so far as he could see there was not a single selfish element in tho cause they were fighting for. "Wo are 11 fighting," ho added, "for what wo " bclievo and wish to bo tho rights of " mankind and for the futuro peace and '• security of the world." It was tho infamous? policy of unrestricted sub-1

manning which finally brough America into the war. "Vessels o " every kind, whatever their flag, thei " character, their cargo, their destina " tion, their errand," said Presiden Wilson, "have beon ruthlessly sent t< " the bottom without warning, an< " without thought of help or nftrcy fo " those on board the vessels of friendl; " neutrals along with those of belli " gerents. Even hospital ships am " ships carrying relief to the sorely be " rcaved and stricken people of Bel "gium, though the latter were pro " vided with safe-conduct through th< " prescribed aroa by tho German Go " vcrnment itself, and were distin " guished by unmistakable marks o "identity, have been sunk with th< " same reckless lack of compassion o; "of principle." Almost on the eve o Independence Day, as if to stiffen th< resolution of the American people, th< Huns sank a hospital ship under cir cumstances of the utmost atrocity, anc made their crime all the blacker by th( impudent and unblushing manner ii which they lied about it afterwards To the British has now fallen the duty in conjunction with our gallant alliei tho Fronch, to hold the fort on th< Western Front until the giant resources of the United States in men, material and tho moral qualities which mean s< much in war, can be brought into ful cfTcct. When the war is won not onlj will it bo a day of freedom for al froedom-respecting nations, but wo raaj take it for granted that the two greal English-speaking nations will hencoforth live together in a common brotherhood. The mistakes and misunderstandings which separated them ill the past will, as Mr Lloyd George, says, bo "transformed into genuine friend- " ship in tho fiery furnace of common "sacrifice."