LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 271, 12 August 1919, Page 8

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

FUTURE WARS AND A WARNING

Sir,—The curtain has just descender on ono of the greatest tragedies of tlio world's existence, entirely caused by civil apathy, folly, ambition, and other deadly sins. Tivico have J volunteered to save the country from its perils, \and twice have I witnessed the deaths of gallant men who sacrificed themselves to save a situation which should never • have occurred. Both in South Africa, and again in this war I have seen brave men die through want of the very, essentials of defence. The curtain is scarce down. the orchestra lias fiot completed packing its instruments, than wa hear the cries of those least iitted to form an opinion demanding that active measures for defence should cease, that pre-war systems, admittedly and proven unsound, should continue, and bespatter--ing the permanent instructors who did so much to pull us out of the fire. My purpose is not to support these unfortunate men, who in peace ridiculed and in war expected to make bricks without straw, or perform superhuman tasks: their case is clear to the just and pat- • riotic. But I wish to state, for the 1 benefit of those who comfort themselves with the reflection that the 100,000 who have been trained during the war will be available for defence in the next-'' twenty years, that T, for 011. will never again engage to save a hopeless situation deliberately brought about by suicidal neirlect in time of peace. We who have been trained are not professional Gladiators, longing for the uhance of defending the miserable critics, the unfair, unpatriotic, and selfish peace profiteers who squeal now. that their danger lias temporarily ended because a better system of defence is suggested. Anyone familiar with the old system of deifence knows tbat.it was not'worth much in peace, iviid showed itself faulty 111 war. We have trusted Allen, Russell, Richardson, Robin, and our other experts during the war; why should wtf then discredit them in peace or listen to the veriest amateurs in preference? War is a ghastly, loathsome, and abominable business, made worse when ongaged in by half-trained men without the necessary essentials. Who can forget the liorrors of those early days on the Peninsula? Yet it,cannot be averted bv national weakness, but rather t w reverse. We are fond of quoting the ostrich as an example of stupidity, berause it hides its head to avoid seeing danger. How much superior are soma who write and criticise defence measures. Tf we want a proper defence w-e must be prepared to pay for it, and must abide by those best fitted to form.opinions regarding' its necessities If. on (he other hand, we are prepared to drift once again into danwrous weakness then .let us all taste of the pleasures of false peace-and imagined security until finally Suered by "nations attracted, by our weakness and folly. Neyer aga.n will it be found that ample ™PP'"f patriots are forthcoming to aiert tl« I danger if the latter is the case. It oiu ! Mure generation are too pure and un- ! .<imtan:innted to 1» P«im to .f — <>3 '■? a Civilian, with interest, avert an enemy s landing by 8 willows at the aggre-.nrs.-I