The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1915. 'INFLEXIBLE DETERMINATION'

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2531, 4 August 1915, Page 6

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1915. 'INFLEXIBLE DETERMINATION'

The. second year of the great war opens to-day. So far as appearances go tho end of the struggle appears to bo as far off as ever. The British Empire has learned much during the last twelve months. It has discovered somewhat slowly, perhaps, the weak points in its fighting machinery, and has now set out to remedy d.sfoctti ftarf to itsske tk<s use

perience has taught us the folly of under-rating the strength of the 'foe; many popular illusions have been rudely dispelled; many expectations have been disappointed. We have learned to see things, they really are, and to act accordingly. The ! Empire cannot live on _ its past, however glorious, nor will our national prestige win this war for us. Wo ourselves in our day of peril must' fieht and win as our fathers fought and won in many a desperate conflict in days gono by. The heritage which they have transmitted to us is assailed by a, resolute, resourceful, and ruthless enemy, and unless we throw all the might we possess into the struggle t this generation may witness the waning of the glory of our Empire. At the present moment the outlook is a menacing one. Russia has received a setback; the fight is raging fiercely in tho Dardanelles; the situation in the Balkans is most uncertain; and in France _ a,nd Belgium neither side is making much headway. Everything seems to be hanging in the balance, and no one can say which arm of the scales will go up or down. This is the position whioh tho Empire is called upon to face at the end of the first year of the war. A stupendous task lies in front of us. We ca.n win if wo are determined to win and are prepared to make the sacrifices necessary to ensure ultimate victory. Great as is the lighting power of the enemy, that of Britain and her Allies is undoubtedly greater if fully used. To-day public meetings' are to be held throughout the Empire for the purpose of placing on record tho inflexible determination of the people to continue the war to a victorious end. We know that we are fighting in a righteous cause. Wo realise that the British Empire and all that it stands for is at stake. The conflict was forced upon us; but however reluctantly we drew the sword we have solemnly pledged ourselves not to sheath it again until Germany has been deprived of her power to terrorise the world. In spite of the war's terrible cost in blood and treasure we do not regret the' step, we took on August 4, 1914, and we are now more determined than ever to_ fight on to the bitter end. We still feel that Me. Asquith was right when he said that if we

had abstaim'X and remained neutral, forsworn our word, deserted our friends, faltered and compromised with the plain dictates of our duty—nay, if wo had not shown ourselves ready to strike with all our forces at the common enemy, of civilisation and freedom, there would have been nothing left for our country but to veil her face in shame and to bo ready in her turn—for her time would have come—to share the doom wliich she would have richly deserved, and after centuries of glorious life to go down to her grave "uuwept," unhonoured, and unsung."

The whole Empire sprang to arms when -the call came, and the Overseas Dominions, like the Motherland, remain unshaken to-day in their resolve to achieve victory, no matter what the cost may be. Our armies are increasing in numbers, our Navy is stronger than it was when the war began, our supply of munitions is being rapidly augmented, and the general war organisation of the Empire is becoming more effective every day. The fighting spirit of the people is keener now than it was when tho war began. Our trade and industries are being well maintained, and we are certainly better able to bear the financial strain than our enemies. Tho nation's economic system has been put to the severest test, and we have just been assured by a British Minister that "the structure has stood firm and hardly showed a crack or'a fissure." No nation can face the future with as much confidence as we can. Victory is ours if wc arc only true to ourselves. It is a fitting thing that the citizens 'of Wellington should meet on this first anniversary of tho declaration of war to record their "inflexible determination" to win; but we must not delude ourselves with the idea that victory can be secured by the mere reiteration of brave words. Our "inflexible determination" must find practical expression in resolute action and willingness to mal® sacrifices if this great struggle is going to result in the triumph of Britain and her Allies.