THE HUNTLY PRESS. PUBLISHED WEEKLY AT 1 P.M. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1914 The Year.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 3, 25 December 1914, Page 2

THE HUNTLY PRESS. PUBLISHED WEEKLY AT 1 P.M. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1914 The Year.

IT is usual to make a review of . the events of the dying year in the last issue of a paper in December, but at the end of such a year as this, one lias not much heart for the task. Locally, we have had much trouble, and that so recently that any reference to it is unnecessary. However, i there is one point which may be i dwelt upon, and that is, the ability shown by the people of Huntly to bear the most severe troubles with fortitude, and to recover from the severest blows of fortune at the first, opportunity It is indeed wonderful, and it argues well for the prosperity of the town, to note the courageous way in which our people face and overcome the difficulties in their path. In the outer world, the great over shadowing event has been the declaration of war which has Jed to the embroiling of England, Germany, France, Russia, Austria, Servia, Turkey and Japan in what lias proved the greatest struggle in the history of the world. War is an awful thing at any time, and this is the most awful of all, with its fearful carnage, and utter destruction of towns and villages, and almost of the very soil of the countries in which the struggle is being waged, but the absolute unity of the British Empire, and the detertermi nation of each individual to uphold its honour and integrity, which has been shown even in its most distant corner, go far to counteract the gloom which naturally overspreads a nation engaged in conflict with others. * If any doubts had been felt as to the loyalty of the Overseas Dominions, or the various coloured Nations which form part of our great Empire, such doubts must have been finally laid to rest by the ready answer 'THuch has -been given to the call to <fims by every part of the Eigpire. It is specially gratifying to see the way in which the Boors and the Hindoos have responded to the call, and it says much for the colonial policy of the Empire, that, at a time like this, when the nation ha c its hands full in Europe, iiotTmly is there no atßrrrmi bn the part of .Mvo conquered nations, which j form such a large part of its population, to rebel, or in any way take advantage of the sifcua- ! lion, but that on the contrary there is an eager desire on their part to show their loyalty to the Crown. In onv own corner of the Empire, the eagerness to enlist, and tike part in the prosecution of the war, and the splendid response which has been made to the call, for money for the Patriotic and Belgium Funds has shown tho-world that we are just as thoroughly British, and true to the Old Country, as if we formed part of the British Isles, instead of being, as we are, the remote portion of the Empire. What the New Tear will bring forth, ;io one can tell, but although we are sure to find much trouble in Europ a we know that if only we are true to the ideals of our Empire, in the end we must win, and wo are convinced that, if only the Nation will conduct its affairs with truth and justice, the outcome of the war, •dreadful as it. is in its immediate consequences, will be for tho eventual good of the Empire as a whnN