The Dominion. TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1916. JOFFRE'S MESSAGE TO BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2777, 23 May 1916, Page 5

The Dominion. TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1916. JOFFRE'S MESSAGE TO BRITAIN

The British Minister for Munitions (Mb. Lloyd Geokge) states that there are now no fewer than 3577 "controlled establishments" t in the United Kingdom. A "controlled establishment" is one that has been taken over by the Government for munition making purposes. Me. Lloyd Geoege has done wonders in organising the labour and ( machino power, of tho country. Britain 'has been turned' into a vast arsenal, lleferring to this "astonishing spectacle," Dr. Siiadwell recently remarked that to see it in its. full extent one woulcl have to < sweep tho country from Cornwall to Aberdeen and from Loch Lomond to the In his great work the Minister has had the assistance of business men of the highest standing— "such a collection of practical men as has never been gob together before." And yet General JoFi'HE declares that even now the requirements, have not been adequately met. He has just sent.a message to Britain by the Bishop of Birmingham (Dr, Wakefield) telling the people that it is impossible to have more than (Cnough of the most powerful cannon 'and munitions. _ The expenditure of Ghot and shell in this war has been almost incredible in its immensity. And when the great crash comes which all the'world is waiting for, the strain placed upon the munition making capacity of the Allies will bo more tremendous than ever. France and Russia and Italy are doing their utmost to maintain an adequate supply, but on Britain is laid the duty notonly of providing for the needs of her own forces, but also of lending a helping hand to her Allies. General Joffre's message is a timely reminder to the whole British Empire that there must be no slackening of effort until victory—final and complete—has been won. France is doing hor utmost with tho most splendid courage and determination. She is holding nothing back, and she has a right to expect that we shall put all our might into the struggle and make the fullest use of all our resources. Britain's effort has increased as the )var has progressed, and she is fighting to-day with far more energy than a yc/ir ago. "Who would ever havo believed that England would adopt compulsory service?" asks a German politician. But she has done so. She did not like the idea at first, but when it became clear that compulsion was essential to victory, public opinion forced a timid' Government to make the-plunge. It is some satisfaction to have the admission of a German critic tßat Britain knows no half-measures or sentimentalities. This German goes on to say that Britain is "proceeding with the greatest recklessness, regardless of consc qucnccs." If he means that she is determined'to_ win at all cost, and at whatever sacrifice, wo only hope thai he lias read her mind accurately. In fact, we know he has. Britain is now setting a fine example to the rest of the Empire.

New Zealand may not be able to do much in tho way of ammunition making, General Jokfre's message should inspire us to do what we can do, and do it with all our might. The heroic deeds of French soldiers during the desperate fighting around Verdun can hardly fail to thrill the dullest soul. The supreme chiefs of the French Army, Joffre and Ms

Castelna.U, have never wavered in their confidence in the power of the Allies to smash their enemies, but (to quote the words of a war correspondent who has recently been in close touch with them), they make no secret of thou - carnnst desire "that every available unit should be sent from England without delay to complete its training, and to he tuned up in the bracing war atmosphere of France." The atmosphere of France is terribly bracing just now. Me. Herbert AYard, a writer who has an intimate knowledge of France and Frenchmen, gives a moving description of the unconquerable spirit which pervades the country.

I made particular note (he writes) of tlio fact that nearly every French soldier I talked to had a settled conviction that ho would dio iu battlo sooner or later. Yet, withal, his courage is unimpaired, and lie retains his gift of gaiety and his desire to light. Tho French soldier has a gay, unbreakable spirit, tho spirit of an unconqucrablo race.

There is something infinitely touching in the love of a true Frenchman for France. This love has been put to the supreme test in this frightful war, and has come triumphantly through tho ordeal. Knowing what might happen to him, a sergeantmajor of .cavalry wrote a letter to' his parents, which was found in his grcatcoat. Ho asked them not to weep for him, but rather to be proud of his death. "Franco is well worth it"—and this is the prevailing sentiment. Tho sanie noble spirit is breathed in three little lines which a visitor noticed scribbled on the wooden casing of a bombproof shelter in a first line French trench:

My bodj to tho earth, My soul to God, Jly heart to l'rance. Tho war has brought into play all that is greatest in the French character. In tracing out some of tho causes which have contributed to tho military revival of France since tho dark days of August, 1914, the military correspondent of tho London Times gives first place to the fortitude, patience, and self-sacrificc of the women. The old men, the boys, and the girls aro untiring in their efforts to keep the -industries of Iho country going. _ It is for France that they are working. The Ministry cf War has shown administrative capacity _ of the highest order, and tho soldier has tho greatest confidence in the ability and efficiency of Iho Command and Staff. The French Arm}' organisation is a very human system. It is thoroughly democratic, and the discipline is fraternal. It is a vast family with "Father" Jojfre at its head. The officers do not swagger and bully, and yet their orders are obeyed with willing alacrity. The sense of duty is remarkably strong. The measure of the enemy has been taken, and the Frcnch Army is sure that the Allies will win in the end. The front lia3 transmitted its confidence to ihe rear. Tho Army's unwavering belief in coming victory keeps up the spirits of tho folk at home. Tho morale of the troops is wonderful. It seems impossible to shake it. General de .Castelnau spoke for the Army and nation, as well as for himself, when he recently declared that "rather than accept slavery at German hands the French race'will die upon the battlefield." But France.win nob die. She has never lived more intensely than she is liv-' ing to-day.