The Dominion. THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1914. THE EMPIRE AT WAR.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2221, 6 August 1914, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1914. THE EMPIRE AT WAR.

■ Suspense- has now given place to certainty, and the British Empire is at war. What probably will prove the most gigantic struggle in the history of; nations has • commenced, and it now becomes our duty to face the_ situation in that high spirit which animated our 'fathers when they repelled the attacks of Spain in the .days of Elizabeth, and when they resisted the efforts of Napoleon to place Europe under the armed heel of France. The announcement ■ that Britain has declared war against did not come as a surprise. For some days past the' trend of events has pointed with increasing certainty to the fact thas Britain would be compelled to draw the sword. , Tho whole Empire felt that its honour would have been sullied and its safety endangered had the Imperial Government submitted to the-overbearing actions of Germany, and deserted the other members of the Triple Entente in the present . international crisis. For years past the world has practically taken it for granted that a trial of 'strength between Britain and Germany would have to come sooner or later. It has perhaps come sooner than most people expected, but the general impression' throughout the Empire is that the present juncture is not an' unfavourable ono from the British point of view. We are not standing alone. We are fighting side by side with two of the most powerful military nations on earth, and our sea power must be a factor of tremendous importance in the conflict. The British Fleet has been in a state of readiness for some days, and it is quite certain that tho naval authorities have given the fullest consideration to all the possibilities oi attack and defence for which human foresight can make preparation. ' ■ No nation could enter into a war with a'dearer conscience than Britain does on this occasion. The British Foreign Secretary displayed the greatest patience and forbearance over since the beginning of tho trouble. He did ' his utmost to prevent tho conflict between Austria and Scrvia from spreading,' and he exhausted all the possibilities of diplomacy before resorting to force. Austria -struck the first blow, knowing that Germany would stand beside her. and woll aware that Russia would, be compelled to intervene. Then Germany set her armies in motion, and forthwith attacked France. She then trampled on the rights of Luxemburg, and violated Belgian territory. Belgium made a strong appeal to for help in withstanding

this unprovoked aggression, and the whole Empire would have felt humiliated had the British Government still refrained from taking decisive action. For days past Britons at Home and abroad have been.wondering how long the Imperial Government was going to tolerate the remorseless exercise of the "mailed fist." The progress of events has pressed home with irresistible force the fact that Britain's moral obligations to other Powers and . her duty to ■ herself made_ it imperative that she, should definitely throw in her lot with France and Russia. His Excellency the Governor's simple announcement in .the Parliamentary grounds yesterday afternoon, that '"Var has broken out with Germany," caused no surprise, though the demeanour of thoso who heard these grave words showed that they realised the seriousness of the position. War is always a terrible thing, and no one can tell what will be the consequences of a struggle of the magnitude of that in whicn tho Empire is now engaged. New Zealanders may be trusted to face the_ present crisis in the Empire's history in the'proper spirit. It is no time for idle boasting or hysterical outbursts. We must keep our feelings under control, so that we may be prepared to meet every emergency with fortitude and maintain a resolute determination to see the conflict through at. all costs. As a nation and as.individuals we mUst be prepared to make sacrifices and endure' hardships, for war ' cannot be waged without loss and suffering." Let us act in a manner worthy of.an Imperial _ race with a great "history and inspiring traditions..' We have counted the cost, and are prepared to pay the price ,of Empire. The only alternative would' be to place our liberties and our national existence at the mercy of any ambitious Power whioh might covet our territory. We would be cravens if we took all the privileges and protection which partnership in the Empire gives, and then shirked our duties and responsibilities in times of peril. British . communities the world over have already made it quite plain that they stand solid and united in both peace and war. The appearance of a common danger has tightened up the bonds which Bold the British family of nations together. The offers of contingents from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand show that the Overseas Dominions unreservedly acoept their Imperial obligations. They firmly believe that their quarr.el is just. Britain has been forced into war by the overbearing aggressiveness of a restless and ambitious • Power, which will trample on the rights of every nation that bars its path of aggrandisement. The' whole might of the British Empire will now be used to prevent the realisation of Germany s long-cherished ambition to dominate the Continent of Europe and to wrest from Britain the supremacy of the seas.