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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

VICTORY AND PEACE Sir,—The trials and strains ni tho prolonged war must not ho allowed to take tho form of war weariness or unrest. The fact must be faced, that none of us except our two most experienced Generals, Lord Kitchener and Lord Koherts, realised sufficiently the tremendous task we undertook when wo entered upon the war. The German military power and resources are j>re.itor than we had the least conception of. The long years of secret preparation and teaching the "war game" by that power gave it «t the outset an immense advantage over us. Looking backwards over the events of the last three years of war, particularly the earlier periods, we had then but the scantiest equipment in men or material at hand for engaging in the field;. tho wonder is that wo were ablo to withstand the enemy onslaughts. It was not strength in numbers that saved us—it was tho superlatiye endurance and strong courage of our soldiers alone that prevented great disaster. If we look for providential interposition, surely it is found in that strong courage, endurance, 'and fortitude with which ithe hearts of our men were inspired. Thousands o" the noblest youths of tho present generation drawn from all ranks of society have given their lives a sacrifice for their country and Empire in the terrific struggle. But the tide has turned, and our arms are with tho inflowing tide of victory. There are opposing rapids to temporarily check tho flow, but overcome by the able pilotage of our generals and statesmen, the head-waters of victory and peace will surely be reached. Victory has really been already won by the holding up and driving back of the German hosts. The victorious advances must necessarily be slow against an enemy so long well trained and versed in the science of war, with resources still unexhausted. There are many people who are not satisfied unless tho newspapers serve up fresh victories daily, ar.d too prone to take pessimistic views nf the situation. They overlook the fact, or forget, that we are engaged in mortal combat with an enemy strongly entrenched, prepared always to take advantage of any slip or mistake in our tactics. It therefore requires supreme caution as well as superlative courage in the handling of our armies. The lulls which take place op the Western front, when not due to weather conditions, are not periods of inaction, but of preparation for_further successful advances. It is tins systematic playing of the "Kreigs Spall" more than anything else that upsets the plans of the enemy. Tt is innnitely _ better to spare the lives of our soldiers in methodical, purposeful tactics than waste them recklessly in premature enterprises. We may rest well assured that our General Sir Douglas Haig and his supporting commanders on the vital Western front has the plan of campaign well in hand, and knows best when to move or halt his troops. Wβ at home must be patient, 'yet determined to hearten and encourage our troops, although victory for our arms may tarry a while, the end is not in doubt. The determined spirit of all the constituents of our vast free Empire is fully supporting our generals and statesmen. The revolutionary defection of Russia, and consequently the dangerous position of , Rumania, will severely test the diplomacy , of our statesmen, the military ability of our generals,- and the courage of our soldiers to meet the crisis, carrying us through to victory and lasting peace. — I am, eto., VETERAN SOLDIER, Wellington, December 10, 1917.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19171215.2.57

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 70, 15 December 1917, Page 10

Word count
Tapeke kupu
593

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 70, 15 December 1917, Page 10

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 70, 15 December 1917, Page 10

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