The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 1932. THE ANNIVERSARY.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 1932. THE ANNIVERSARY.

To-dAy ,is' the eighties til anniversary of Great; Britain's:(entry into the war which ,we now know as the Great War. In 1914 hopes were -high as to tile outcoiittv., i ( ewi .if any could have visualised th'j long-drawn out conflict with rJI its horrors and suffering. But tne countries involved, entered the fray with a light heart, believing for an early victory! The enemy had planned for the day, and was the most ready for a speedy conflict. Our own country was but ill-prepared for land fighting. It was fortunate th'e Navy was at hand and was at battle positions before Britain wad actually at war." The British Army which was available' was launched against the advancing enemy. In number it was, as the Kaiser described it, a “contemptib.e army,” but what a defence it put up I It halted the advancing Germany and robbed them cf the early pleasure of marching on Pari3. The British retreat, was on paper a dofeat, but supely the battle of Mens and the final stand at Ypres ape among the greatest of British military exploits. The Ypres, Britain had to hold the enemy at great Joes but it was done with conspicuous success, cooks and camp followers being thrown into the firing line at times to .help hold the. post. Such were the stirring incidents in the early weeks of .the war. Britain’s mobilisation was a wondeiful achievement, while tc her aid rallied, the Dominions. The ready rally to the colours was a real exposition of, what Empire meant, am no part of the Empire shirked its duty, dm the hour of danger. Histo.y records how gallantly the oversea forces served. New Zealanders vied with Australians, as Canadian vied with Soiith Africans. The coloured races of '-the Empire took their £>urt, and the aggregation of forces was in every way a credit to the Empire, In due course the Great War rau it? course. Then the enemy sued for peace, and the Allied Generals impaired their-'terms, which hard as-they were, were ac.ci.pted-. TEe conditions were ratified in the peace treaty. By then the combatants had begun to realise the cost' of the war in- treasure, and a debt was imposed on Germany which is proved impossible to pay. Within recent weeks after a long drawn out conference, we have seen the Albeto reduce the reparation claims to a comparatively nominal sum, providing they can settle ! vvithin them* selves and the United ■'States nf 3 to a substantially reduced payment to clear the war debts. The sum is enormous, and as it stands prevents the financial recovery of the world. But it will be some months yet, before an understanding oan be reach' d. Meantime there is a. 'fitter - feeling among the nations. 1., will not ib© Tong 'before the war guilt clause in the peace treaty will,, be removed to satisfy G rmany ill the hope of creating a better international understanding, In Australia, former enemy subjects have been • invited to. join the Aussves ir their Remembrance Week, now being held'. This- is another evidence of the desire to ■ create a more cordial f^'

ing and to live down the enmity of the nations. In this- eighteen years a new generation has been horn. They have lived outride the war period, and a new spirit is being leaven'd in the whole;. This should count -for a world betterment,- and an osrore from the burden of: the war aft rmath.