The Chronicle. PUBLISHED DAILY. LEVIN. MONDAY, MAY 10, 1915. THE GERMAN MENACE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 10 May 1915, Page 2

The Chronicle. PUBLISHED DAILY. LEVIN. MONDAY, MAY 10, 1915. THE GERMAN MENACE.

In the present state of the European War the Chronicle sees as little reason lor national pessimism as it saw for the unwarranted optimism that prevailed in- these parts during the last six months of 1914. Lately the truth has become apparent that no great success is attending the Allied Armies, and the advices from the rival combatant forces (when read "between-the lines") ftiakes clear the fact that during April some notable successes attended the German ;>rms. But. in realising the truth of (his. all true Britons should have full regard to their traditions for doggedness. and resolve that in . whatever .'■phere their power may (foe centred there will be no untimely desire to cease from striving. The present war is costly in monetary expenditure and internecine in combat, but any thought of compromise entertained at this stage if given effect to will merely postpone the danger of German aggression and her dominating militarism. The cost to date in lives and arms and money must be triplicated if needs be ("and of this need the British Cabinet arid its advisers amongst the Opposition in list be allowed to judge)—rather than that the Prussian militarists-and their imperial leader shall be allowed to proclaim the undoubted virtual victory that would be won if a cessation of the war took place in the present circumstances of the contest. To write in this strain is unpleasant for those who realise their inability to help effectively to the end they ap- | prove. Personal service cannot be rendered by men of middle age or over - so far—but even if it could be. there, would arise the test as to whether, preferentially, the British Cabinet should not compel the younger men who in Groat Britain have held back to take their stand in the Army. So far. the British Cabinet has failed in its duty to enforce compulsory military service, and has relied uipon" the unfair system of voluntary service. Under this, more impulsive sections of the community and those unfortunate ( enough to lack employment, go to the front to do battle .while a too-g[reat proportion of those whose circumstances are more comfortable or whose judgment is more cool remain at home in safety. For this sole reason The Chronicle is against any "whipping-up" of the New Zealand population to secure "volunteers" for the front. A real volunteer is one whose patriotic feelings impel him fo proffer his services for the war; and the difficulty in securing it-hem in sufficient numbers is being reached in Great Britain already. we fear- When the Cabinet of the Mother Country rises to its duty and makes active military service by all classes compulsory it will be time enough to apply the system in Australasia. But we fear that the need is with us already, and we apprehend that ere the present year closes the necessity for compulsory service will have been, brought home to the British Cabinet unmistakeably. Meanwhile it is fair to urge on all our adult young men who feel it to be their duity to volunteer, to do so. British libety, though it fall short of the ideal that some theorists postulate for it, gives to the individual a liberty tl'at transcends that of any other coiinsoy— except France, maybe. Tn comparison with Germany's degree of liberty, and her frequent uplifting if the privileges of the military class ntjove those that the citizens possess as a theoretical right, the British sub jest is as fnr advanced as the German limse'f is when compared with the B'iss'an. Tt would be a sorry era indeed that w.-.uld set in were the German arms to win a decisive triumph in the gigantic contest now progressing. SThc fact remains, however, that her showing in

the war to date has been impressive, and though her methods are spoken of as barbarous—as they are probably— the sweeping condemnations we hear of in New Zealand are based on insufficient evidence, while some of the d«eds complained about have their precedents in our own military history. The nation ha# need to-day of calm judgment as well as fighting spirit, for the war irevitably must be ended in compromise, and inflaming of the public spirit will hamper the Government when the time for decision comes.