The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1915. POISONOUS WHISPERINGS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2543, 18 August 1915, Page 4

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1915. POISONOUS WHISPERINGS

Fhom the commencement of the - war Germany has been endeavouring to cause dissension among the Allies. For this purposo sho has engaged in a systematic campaign of intrigue, insinuation, and slander. She has carried on this treacherous phase of her war with a thoroughness that suggests perfect organisation and utter unscrupulousness. Her main object has been to make France and Russia believo that Britain is not bearing her fair sharo of tho burden, - and that she would deeert her Allies i; without compunction if at any time ' ahc felt that it would lia U> her iitl* 1 .vintage to do go, These worts to.

create feelings of suspicion and distrust among tho Entente Powers have been redoubled during the last month or two. A cablegram which ivc publish in another column indicates that the' campaign of calumny has become so persistent and widespread that many leading men in Franco have thought it advisable to organise a movement with the object of counteracting the effects of the stream of lies that flows from Berlin. German agents have been making uso of neutral newspapers for the purpose of creating the impression that Britain is an unfaithful friend. The best antidote to this sort of poison is a clear statement of actual facts. The British Ambassador at Petrograd has already published a War summary showing what Britain lias done and is doing. This explanation of the true position has produced an excellent effect in Russia. Thoso who occupy responsible positions in Franco and Russia arc, of course, well aware of the baselessness of German insinuations, but it has become necessary to do' something to counteract any feelings of doubt which these poisonous whisperings of the ICaisek's_ agents may cieatc in tho public mind. Russian statesmen have from time to time expressed tho highest appreciation of tho great part which Britain is playing in this colossal conflict, and a leading Russian newspaper pays a tribute to the priceless services of the British Navy, and lays stress on the fact that Britain is also creating an enormous army. Ths Germans naturally think that the present is an opportune time for stirring up discontent in Russia. But the recent setback has not shaken Russia's confidence in herself or her Allies, The whole nation is now being organised for war. An Imperial rescript declares that the crushing of the enemy "is the only and hcnceforth the national problem to which must bo directed all thoughts of United Russia, invinciblcin her unity." France is just as resolute as Russia, and, like Russia, she realises that the war cannot be won until Britain C' 5 her whole, might into tho fight. French are grateful for what Britain has done on land and sea, though they know just as well as we do that the British Empire has not yet clone all that it can and will do. They are aware that it takes the British Empire some time to get fully and firmly into its war stride. Tho Germans seem desperately anxious just now,to make France believe that Britain is betraying her. This is the infamous suggestion which the enemy is endeavouring to spread by means of all those cunn'ngly-devised methods for which ho has become so notorious. The Gaulois points out that those who have been able to follow events from tho beginning have never doubted the sincerity and the extent of tho British effort, and are quite confident thit Britain will be with France "to the death." Germany knows that she must bo beaten in the long run unless she can by some means succeed in dividing her opponents. But this hope is doomed to disappointment. The vital facts which she has to face are summarised in tlio London Observer in the following well-balanced statement It is tliat the power of the Quadruple Entente is inexhaustible while Britain holds tlie sea—that our hold of the sea. is becoming more and more unshakcable - that new revelations of the full weight and meaning of that large fact will be given before the end. Kusaia is gatnering herselt together for a struggle which, if need be, will combine the sullen tenacity unbreakable in retreat with a desperation unflinching as that which firod Moscow, but more sweeping. The same extreme spirit of unbending desperation, should occasion demand, will show itselt in Russia in new and enormous forms. H-ather than surrender, or abate the hope she has risen for, France will kimlla again the flamo of 1753. And Britain? If it came to the last resort, Britain would fight Germany single-handed, and single-handed, she would shako tho world and quell her enemy. If the Central Empires were temporarily triumphant on tho Continent—which they are not going tp be—never could they make free use of their conquests or keep them while England's triumph at sea remains, as now, immeasurably ieoto complete than anything' which Germany has come within sight of achieving on land. There is certainly no German optimist so insane,-we 'hopo there is no pessimist amongst ourselves so abject, as' to doubt—putting matters the lowest—that the coming industrial weight of Britain with regard to the output of munitions will of itself toll with a mighty weight in the European scales. That said,. we must not disguise the stern nature of. the immediate problem for tho Allies in every part of the field of war. Whilo we are only beginning to get our industrial machine fully under way for war purposes and whilo uncertainty dogs the footsteps of events in the Eastern theatre the moment is even mow trying than if it were more dangerous. There are dull days before \is. Tlicy may last for months, and we shall require ail our fortitude. But remember always that fortitude is in its nature serene and cctive: it is as stout as depression is feeble. We have : to endure to conquer, but the Quadruple Alliance is now well aware that endurance alone will not provail without intensity of effort. We musk have prompt and supreme exertion, backed by ondloss staying power. These are Ihe moral conditions of victory. It is essential- that tho Allies should trust one another fully and unreservedly. Tho people of the British Empiro gratefully recognise the magnificent bravery of the Tsar's troops and tho endurance of the Russian people. No words can express our feelings of admiration for tho heroism of France, and so also do we admire tho magnificent courage of ' Belgium, and the gallantry of our Italian friends. An address was recently presented to the French Premier by the Mayors and Provosts of ' Britain recording the respect and gratitude of the British'people for the French nations and profound admiration for their gallantry in the field. ' "Side by side with them," the address proceeds, "we shall fight to tho end of this war that has been thrust upon us until a lasting and righteous peace is won; and it is our earnest hope and prayer that the concord between our two great nations, founded on common sacrifice and cemented by the blood of thousands of their bravest and best, may continue as long as the world endures." The people of tho overseas Dominions will say a hearty "Amen" to these sentiments. The whole civilised world sympathises ' with Franco in her splendid fight for tho right to live,'and her determination to free herself from tho oppression of her ruthless assfilant, We shall break the heavy sword, says the French Premier, which has so many times threatened and murdered justice." In this struggle for ■ freedom and justice the British peo- ' pies are resolved to fight side by side with Franco and her Allies nntil victory has been won.