SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S SPECIAL ORDER

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 304, 12 September 1918, Page 4

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S SPECIAL ORDER

Sir Douglas Haig's fine tribute i to the officers and men of the British armies in Franco makes every British heart thrill with pride and gratitude. We are proud of tho splendid achievements of the men 1 who .are fighting our battles so manfully, and we' arc grateful for tho great sacrifices which they are making in order to save us and our Empire and civilisation from tho assaults of a powerful and pitiless enemy. Tho terrible experiences of Belgium and Serbia, of Russia and Rumania, are ever before us as ghastly object-lessons, reminding us of what our fate- would bo if by any horrible mischance this Dominion of New Zealand should fall into tho hands of tho Germans. Our brave soldiers stand as an impregnable wall between us and the worst foe that our race has ever had _to i encounter. It is intensely gratifying to us that our own New Zealand troops have proved themselves worthy to stand shoulder to shoulder with their comrade's from the United Kingdom and other parts of the Empire, with tho gallant soldiers of France and Belgium,. and _ the wonderful army which America is now putting into the field. All have fought' magnificently, and when wc affirm, as we rightly can, that the New Zcalandcrs have held their own in such illustrious company we give them the highest possible praise. Together the Allied armies have passed through dark and anxious times, and now they are sharing the glory •of hurling back the Kaiser's hosts. The position to-day is infinitely more favourable to tho Allies than the most optimistic of us could have expected three months ago. Marshal'Foch's bold counter-stroke has achieved results far greater than the boldest hopes that we could then have cherished with any show of reason, and still greater things may happen at any moment. In tho darkest days the British armies never lost heart. Their will to win was never broken. Their faith in themselves and in the cause for which they were fighting never faltered. Tliev knew that they were backed' up by tho moral forccs of the world. And now they are reaping the- reward of their unconquerable faith, hope, and endurance. Sir Douglas Haig dees not indulge in rhetorical flourishes, and _is economical; in his use of superlatives. After the manner of the typical British soldier ho would rather say too little than too much. This fine reserve gives an additional sense of reality to his praise, and all the world knows that he is paying no empty or formal compliment, but that he thoroughly and sincerely means every word when lie states that "to havo commanded this splendid army, which at a time of grave crisis has so nobly done its duty,' fills me with pride." No nobler tribute could bo paid to any man than to say. "he did his duty." Moro than that no man can do. And what shall we say of tho fallen—the men whose names appear upon the roll of honour which we read from day to day, with sorrow mingled with pride 1 They were faithful_ to duty even unto death. They died that we may live —live in freedom and security; that justice, mercy, and good faith may not be driven from tho world. No man who has given his life so that right may triumph over wrong has died in vain.