Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, OCT. 22, 1896. The Glorious 21st.

Manawatu Herald, 22 October 1896, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, OCT. 22, 1896. The Glorious 21st.

After the many years of peace in Europe it becomes hard to recall the stirring, times o£ one hundred years ago, when England's manhood and England's money was being lavishly spent for her owa protection as well as for those weaker and less plucky than herself ; but it waa so, and the lessons taught then had need to be Well learnt to-day when the great Powerß of the Continent talk openly of alliances to curb the- growth of Her Majesty's empire. To secure peace it is an axim to be prepared for war, so that one's weakness may not tempt any neighbour to take advantage. For this r&aßon the Naval League was formed in England to wake her and her colonies up to the knowledge that their safety lies in retaining the supremacy of the seas. During the past few years English statesmen have awoke to the fact that the navy Was not equal in strength to any possible combination of other maritime Powers, and fortunately they have taken proper steps to secure her being placed in that position within the next few years. To succeed in doing so an enormous expenditure is necessary, which means the retention of taxation, but the men who urge this outlay say, and say truly, that it is the cheapest expenditure which can be made, as it practically prevents war and thu3 ensures peace. A war at the present day is both sharp and ruinou3 work and requires most enormous exertions from all good citizens, and it is a patriotic duty on the Dart of the Navy League to draw public attention ta this fact as well as to the state of the navy. We understand the League has been making great efforts to get the date I of the battle of Trafalgar celebrated throughout the world, and in countries closer to the Home land probably it will be, as indeed it will in England itself. The navy has at last been truly recognised as the first line of defence, and failing which our other lines are weak indeed. We must therefore not only all trust that the interest in the navy will never be allowed to wane again, but each, in our respective positions, must do our best, individually and collectively to this end. The battle of Trafalgar, fought by the British under Lord Nelson off Cape St. Vincent on the coast of Spain is glorious not only from being a victory of the smaller force over a larger force, but from its beingthe final defeat of our maritime enemies, and which gave us, the yet, undisputed title of Mistress of the Seas. The battle was fought on the 21st October, 1805, the British fleet consisting of twenty-seven ships, whilst the combined fleets of France and Spain numbered thirty-three. After a protracted fight the enemies' admirals were taken and nineteen of their ships captured, sunk or destroyed. Lord Nelson was killed on board the flag ship " Victory " from which the last signal he ordered was hoisted that of " England expects every man will do his duty," of equal significance to day as when hoisted ninety-one years ago.