The Dominion. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28,. 1914. A GREAT SPEECH

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2240, 28 August 1914, Page 4

The Dominion. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28,. 1914. A GREAT SPEECH

The manner in which Loud Kitchener [referred to the war in his speech in the House of Lords was what we are pleased to regard as thoroughly British. It was a direct, uneriiotional, businesslike statement. He did- not indulge in heroics or extravagant language .of any kind, either in praise of our own men or in blame of tho enemy. It was from beginning to end the speech of a soldier, but it was also tne speeclj of a statesman. It was an ideal utterance for such an occasion. Its severe avoidance of tho Use of superlatives comes as a wel-, come change from some of the weird t and wonderful stories that are being told at tho present time about the happenings at the front. XoitD Kitchener did not talk about great victories and marvellous exploits. The decisive victories will, we all hope,' come in good time, and Britishers the world over are prepared to wait in patience for the. development of events. It would bo unreasonable to expect tbat the Allies arc going to experience unbroken success all along the line from the beginning to the end of the war. That would, of course, be very pleasant,' but it. would not be war. We are prepared to face the facts even though at times they may prove unpleasant. Now that our own troops are at the front we are naturally anxious to hear about their doings; but it is very difficult to ascertain and explain the exact stateN of affairs at any given time owing totlie enormous extent of ground covered by 'the operations, and a ccrtain amount' of confusion and contradiction in the reports is only to be expected. In these circumstances it is ve.ry gratifying to hear from one who can speak with the knowledge and authority possessed' by Lord Kitchener that-the British troops at Mons, who were for thirty-six hours in contact with / a superior forco, "maintained tho traditions of British soldiers with tho utmost gallantry." A tribute like this is hign praise indeed, for Lord Kitchener is not accustomed to indulge in empty compliments.

The entire absence of anything in the nature of oratorical display or striving after effect increases the im- ■ pressivencss of Lord Kitchener's speech. The facts dealt with were so momentous that anything in the way of artificial embellishment would have been a jarring note. Lord Kitchener's roference to the superb struggle of gallant Belgium against desperate odds will be heartily endorsed throughout the British world; and'all must regret that tho condi-. tioils of strategy did not permit our

soldiers' to give the Belgians all the support on Belgian soil their courage and endurance entitled them to. But in warfare it would be perilous to allow sentiment to interfere with strategy, and no one knows this better than Lord Kitchener. He is well aware of the folly of taking unnecessary risks, and his great scheme for the strengthening of the British Army shows that he intends to leavo nothing' to chance. He is preparing for every emergency. The fact that he is taking measures to put in the field an army which, in numbers as well as quality, "will not be unworthy of the power and responsibilities of tho British Empire," does not imply tha't he is of opinion that the war is going to be a very long one; but it does mean that if it should develop into a desperate 1 and protracted struggle Britain; will be placed in a position to stand the strain of all that may bo required of her. Never in the'history of the world have such huge armies _ been employed as are engaged in the present struggle. It is staggering to think that literally millions of men are at present engaged in this stupendous conflict. Its dimensions are so enormous that it is difficult to believe that it can go on for any great length of time, but it is possible that "exertions and sacrifices beyond any which have been demanded will be required of the_ British Empire." It is this possibility, however remote .it may seem, which Lord Kitchener is providing for, and he may rest assured that the Overseas Dominions will be miite as ready and willing to make the necessary exertions and sacrifices as the Mother Country. The whole. _ Empire is fully resolved to see this matter through.