Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1918 THE VICTORY SPIRIT.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star T HURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1918 THE VICTORY SPIRIT.

YicroiiY in the long last, is in the air. The good news of the past lew da\s has removed a great deal of the pall of war which lias overhung the world for long. The cloudy are rolling by, and the long, long trail that loads to peace is now at .its final turn. The victory spirit moved the people, to gather in considerable numbers at very .short notice at the Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon and mark in a public way the good new’s received in regard to Bulgaria <piittiiig the theatre of operations, thus-relieving the Allies of one of the enemy powers which has assisted to keep the war going at its tremendous cost i<> humanity. Bulgaria actually was one of the worst of offenders. By throwing in her lot with the Central Powers she became a great aid to that alliance when it was at the zenith of its power. Bulgaria acted treacherously to the Entente Allies, who found themselves beaten by the form of diplomacy which Germany knows -- well how to use. Till Bulgaria entered the lists, Serbia was able to make a brave show against Austria. Twice she hurled back the Austrian forces with heavy losses. Then Bulgaria came ibehind, and Serbia was beaten. Ihe Bulgurs were responsible for tlu> horrors which were inflicted upon the Serbian people whose country was overrun by the ruthless invaders. Heroically Hie remnant of the Serbian Army, and the Sei’biau people struggled south but the way to sanctuary was hard c difficult, and their trials and trib'da tions make some of the saddest ready in the horrors of the war. In feeling the thrill of victory at: this stage arising hut of the capitalisation of Bulgaria our thoughts must fly back to the homoloss Serbians who have, once again, shown themselves equal to the task of winning hack their patrimony. The gnthering in the Town Hall the other afternoon struck the right note. Even with the final news of peace which it is hoped will come soon now, there can be no |ioau of great jov. Over all must hang always the pall of the sacrifices made to win the victory. It will ha visit has.— a subduing effect. Rejoice a* \vc may try to do, there is behind it all the memory of the sacrifices nobly made the knowledge of the price paid. A ictorioiis we will he anil right glad we shall all be that the oml ha s come, and that the awful past is to he shrouded as time goes, by the brighter conditions which penile will ring ju. H has been sne over and over again through the great con (lift that the war has brought every thing to a. common level. The world lias been in a melting pot as it were, The intense heat of the turmoil, will, wo hope, have removed the dross in our humanity, and only the best of feelings may remain. In the new world being created by the fresh outlook we shall” have, there must pervade a now spirit reborn out of the victory. D will be a chastened spirit, recognising the debt, to those who have stood between us and defeat, and whose has won the victory wo are to participate in. Our thoughts go out to the principal actors in the great service ol • world reclamation, and pleased and proud of the honour and renown won by their inestimable services not- in high-sounding phrases and sterotyped platitudes, hut in a genuine recognition of their services, and an acknowledgment of the debt wo owe, and which can never he adequately discharged. Forget not the soldiers, remember the sick and wounded, honour the illustrious dead, and let care of the dependents be alway s a charge upon the na--1 ion.