The Dominion FRIDAY, AUGUST G, 1915. FAITHFUL ALLIES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2533, 6 August 1915, Page 4

The Dominion FRIDAY, AUGUST G, 1915. FAITHFUL ALLIES

« What the Russian Ambassador in London has termed "the wondrous solidarity of the Allies" is a fact on which special stress has been laid in tho utterances in connection with' the commemoration of tho first year of the war. The Alliance has stood the strain of twelve months' desperate lighting, and the ties which bind the Entente Powers arc much stronger to-day than they were before the conflict began. Germany has done her utmost to create dissensions among her foes. Acting on the principle of "divide and conquer" she has endeavoured to make each member of tho Entente believe that the others are half-hearted or disloyal. Her secret agents liavo whispered in the ears of tho Russians that Britain and Franco are not doing their fair share—that they are playing a game of their own. Mysterious hints and insinuations have gained currency in France that Britain and Russia are not as faithful as they profess to be, and special efforts have been made to throw suspicion on the sincerity of Britain. ' At one time the idea that Russia' was the most dangerous enemy was fostered by German newspapers, and the impression was created that an understanding might bo come to with Britain and France; at other times the German people have been urged to concentrate their deepest and direst hate upon Britain and all things British, Cautious feelers have been put out from Berlin at various times, with the object of ascertaining the possibilities of making peace with Russia, With France, and with Belgium separately, behind the backs of the other Entente Powers. But such suggestions havd received no encouragement. ' German intrigue lias hopelessly failed to break the bonds of friendship by which the Allies are united, and nothing has occurred to shako their solemn pledge to act in concert until the war is over and tho terms of peace have been finally settled. Tho British Empire certainly has the fullest confidence in its Allies. We have every reason to believe that they trust us as fully and as unreservedly as wo trust them. At the present moment we are watching the fortunes of the Russian armies with tho deepest interest and sympathy. Wo have the greatest admiration fur the heroic conduct of tho Tsar's soldiers. Owing to shortage of munitions they arc just now fighting at a great disadvantage, but their magnificent bravery and endurance have enabled thqm to inflict enormous Josses on tho gaoiuy, In spite ofj

their superior equipment, the Germans arc paying a terrible price for every forward step. And in the end what definite and lasting gain can they point to as a- set-off to their losses / The Russians may_ bo driven back to-day, but their armies arc not broken, and they will como again, and yet again. The Kaiser's secret agents, it is plain, think that the present moment is a favourable ono for engendering feelings of distrust and suspicion in Russia. But our Allies are not misled by the stream of lies and slanders that flow from Berlin. One of the leading Russian newspapers declares that the cowardly insinuations of the German agents regarding the disloyalty of Russia's Allies have failed. The Russians treat this sort of intrigue- with the same contcmpt which is felt by the French for the attempts which have been made to poison their minds against Britain. Both France and Russia are fully aware of the great part which, the British Empire is playing in the war. The Russian Foreign Minister has announced that his countryman are impressed by "the tremendous power of the British Navy so remarkably exemplified in the complete effacement of the enemy's fleet." A leading French statesman pays a similar tribute to Britain's share in the war, on land as well as on sea—and Britain is going to put much more power into the struggle during the second year of the conflict than she did in the first year. Her Allies know this— and so, also, do her foes. France has fought, and continues to fight, with invincible determination. She' will never submit to German domination. The spirit of Belgium has not yet been broken. Even her civil population, in spite of the terrible experiences of tne earlier stages of the war, are refusing to submit to the dictation of their oppressors, and we are told to-day of strikes in Belgium which must greatly embarrass the German authorities. Italy _ is prosecuting her campaign against Austria with much vigour and resourcefulness, and Seivia and Montenegro are still unconquered. The Russian Duma gave expression to the feelings of all the Allies when it declared its unshakable and unanimous resolution to continue the struggle till final success is attained, and not to conclude peace till victory is complete.