The press SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1918. France's Day.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16263, 13 July 1918, Page 8

The press SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1918. France's Day.

f The great anniversaries of the British * people fall in other months than July, 1 but this month is distinguished for its inclusion of two great national anni- • versaries, which have a larger significance and interest for the whole world now than in the years before the war. On July 4th, 1776, tho United States proclaimed their independence, and on July 14th, thirteen years later, the spirit of French freedom expressed itself in the storming of the Bastille. ' It is this great French anniversary vlnch France celebrates tonnorrow. There have always been people in all countries to whom these two dates have been annual occasions for rejoicing as . landmarks in the progress of human freedom—brave-hearted optimists who (refused to be cast down by the forces often strong and persistent, th.at seemed to be opposing the N growth of brotherhood, peace, and liberty throughout the world. They were sustained even in the darkest days by the thought that the Declaration of Independence and the Fall of the Bastille were proofs of an irresistible force in human affairs. But these people were not many at any time before the war. To-day, however, when most of the free nations of the earth are leagued in a fight for the overthrow of tyranny and lawlessness, he must be dull indeed who does not feel the cheering significance of the two great anniversaries of July. This is the fourth time since the war began that France is commemorating her day, and on each occasion the French people have renewed their resolution to fight against the German effort to sot up a world-tyranny greater and. more evil than that of which the old Bastille was the symbol—and a tyranny that threatens not France .alone, but every country in which freedom has taken root. Although the enemy has for the time extinguished Belgium as a nation, and has kept that brave country under the harrow, it is upon France that has fallen the main burden of suffering and effort. The German blow found her unprepared, but the invincible spirit and valour of the French people enabled them to hold the enemy until disaster was averted. If France had failed—if her spirit had - not been wholly ' that which inspired the great defence of Yerdun, the 'Germans would have mastered Europe by now. The burden of France has, as we have said, been a double one. She has had to endure not only the strain of fighting for four years, but has had also to suffer the ravaging of' some of her fairest lands. In the occupied territory the enemy has rioted in arson and murder; slain or carried off men and women, and rei duced the population to servitude; obliterated homes, farms, forests, vineyards, and whole towns; destroyed churches and cathedrals. The capital of France has been bombed and shelled, and twice threatened with capture. Yet despite all these grievous afflictions tho French people have never for an instant either lost their confidence in ultimate victory or dreamed of making peace while there is a single German on French soil. Their sufferings are the cost of tho immunity from these horrors that' is enjoyed not only by Britain and America, but also by countries as far away from the sound of the 1 German guns as New Zealand is. In the course of time the wounds of France will heal, her soil will be free from tho invader, lier cities rebuilt, her trees and gardens replanted, and the shellravaged chaos of the occupied provinces once more fruitful under the hands of a stronger people than ever. In tho meantime our great Ally, weary but unshaken by her labours and her suffer- ■ ings, is holding on, and the people of the British Empire saluto her on her 1 great -.miiversary. It should bo regarded as . a high privilege to be able i to send some tribute of admiration to a ] people so heroic .and high-spirited, and ■ wo are confident that the opportunity i which the French Relief Fund affords i to our citizens to perform a practical 1 act of homage will be widely availed of. j s New Zealand must havo her place in , i tho list of subscribers to the French ] Bed Cross Funds and the funds of the 1

Association of War Orphans, founded to care for the thousands of little children whose fathers and mothers have been swept away in the war. Canterbury must be represented in the New Zealand contribution, and wo hope that, late though the effort may he, that representation will be creditable to this community.