The Dominion. TUESDAY. MARCH 16, 1915. THE ALLIES AND THE ENEMY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2410, 16 March 1915, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY. MARCH 16, 1915. THE ALLIES AND THE ENEMY

In' yesterday's issue of The Dominion cablegrams were published recording the defeat of the Germans by the French, in Alsace, and a brilliant British victory at Neuve Chapelle. The news was decidedly encouraging from the British, point oi view, and it naturally engendered a feeling of elation, which was quite justifiable. • To-day we publish a message which, by warning us against the' folly of cocksureness, should act as a timely antidote tc a possible tendency to over-confidence which is apt to be begotten by a run of good fortune. By a clear, cold statement of a few plain facts, "Eye-witness" reminds the Empire in a most impressive manner that the end of the tremendous struggle is still far out of sight. He expresses the opinion that there is a real danger of tales of "victory producing an atmosphere of complete illusion. He does not mean that the victories are imaginary. His idea is that the attention of the public may become so focused on the bright side of the picture that they may fail to see things in their true proportion. They may juinp to fha quite . erroneous conclusion that the enemy is "exhausted and engaged in last despairing efforts to delay the inevitable decision." . It may seem harsh to rudely dissipate such pleasant illusions, if they exist, but in the long run it is the wisest course to place the public in a position tc see things steadily and'to see them whole. It is a wjjolesome discipline to be made to face the facts—and .all the facts. A great nation prefer? to know the truth as nearly as it can be known. It ig aware that, in a struggle oi' such magnitude as that which is nqw going on, losses must be expected and sacrifices made. If we uncfer-rate the .power of the enemy we must inevitably .be disillusioned sooner or later, and disillusionment would bring with it the bitterness that coines from unrealised hopes and vain ' expectations. The forces of -the Allies' Ijave done all that coijld reasonably haye liee.n anticipated^and.tnpre; but it if a good thing toexamipethe position now and then from the enemy's point of view. A recent visitor to Germany declares that the Kaiser's subjects "are convinced that thoy haye won, are winning, and will continue to win." Of course they have been grossly deceived by garbled, distorted, and even false news; but tho fact remains that their confidence in their generals and armies has not yet been overthrown.- The military authorities have more or less plausible explanations for the failure to reach Paris and Calais, and can point to the fact that they are still masters of the greater part of Belgium. "Putting ourselves in the Germans' place we cannot fail to see," writes "Eye-witness," "that there is yet no reason why an intensely brave, determined, and well organised army should feel discouraged." This probably puts the German position rather too favourably. They may not have reason to be dismayed, but they must have very big hearts. if they do not feel considerably discouraged by their enormous losses, the break-down of their original programme, their defeat when almost within sight of Paris, and the failure of their repeated efforts to get to Calais. These obvious facts cannot be satisfactorily explained away. Still, the national sense of discipline counts for a great deal. The morale of tho German troops may be weakened, but it certainly not been broken. "Eye-witness" is on firm ground when he remarks that nothing but a crushing defeat in the field is likely to overthrow the morale and confidence of the Kai.see's army. "This," he says, "is only attainable by over-inoreasing pressure by vast numbers of men ancl guns." A writer in the Round Table expresses similar views: The most important factor (he declares] is tho joint one of time and numbers. Every motive of prudence , and honoui impels.usito go on expanding our' military strength us rapidly as is consistent with efficiency. We must recmit the numbers ive require, and we must recruit them in time. It is no use raising armies so slowly that they will not be fit . for action until Europe is driven by exhaustion to make peace. The reference made by "Eye-witness" to the need for guns was probably suggested by the delays caused by the recent labour troubles in England, and it is significant that Mr. Lloyd George dwells on the same point in his latest war speech.' He states that it is essential that the output of war munitions should be enormously increased. Such a remark points to the conclusfon that if an adequate supply cannot be obtained by the "business as usual" method the great law of self-preser-vation may compel the State to adopt startlingly unusual means of getting tlje necessary work done. An overwhelming national need could justify measures that might be intolerable in times of peace. "Business as usual" is an excellent motto, but victory is still more important, and the Chancellor tells us that victory will be impossible unless everybody in the community is prepared to suffer inconvenience and discomfort, and even to sacrifice himself if needs be. We have no cause for pessimism—far from it. Rational optimism and resolute determination to win at whatever cost is the proper frame of mind_ for British people in the present crisis, and this attitude is warranted by a levelheaded examination of all the available facts. But it would bs foolish to iineler.ynte tho fetvengtU ui l-ljts jenemy.i