Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, NOVEMB. 29, 1917. ULTIMATE VICTORY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1758, 29 November 1917, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, NOVEMB. 29, 1917. ULTIMATE VICTORY.

THE importance of the British offensive in Flanders was emphasised recently by Sir William Robertson, Chief of the General Staff.. Recalling the first battle of Ypres in 1911, Sir William Robertson said the British fought in that battle under every disadvantage of and equipment. Now the table* were turned. It was the allies who had the advantages of equipment and numbers against an enemy who was unable to hold positions which our men held in 1914. The enemy wips suffering heavy losses, his material resources were diminishing, and he was being compelled to call to the ranks recruits two years earlier than would normally have been the case to keep up his strength, On (he other hand, our losses were lower than they had been in 1915 and 1916, when our armies were less efficient and our aircraft less equipped than they were now. gress might he slow, but it was none the less sure; and, if any further proof was needed to support his contention that our gallant troops were gradually and assuredly establishing moral and material supremacy over the enemy it was to he found in the spirit and supreme confidence that existed in the armies on all fronts, and in all ranks. The people of this country might he fjjlly confident of the ultimate victory, Byt the enemy was not yet sufficiently defeated, and there .might be much for us to hefope he w.as. But he was .convinced that it could be done. The patriotism, U9.he.sion, unselfishness, and endurance, which w;e heard so much, must nof be fdjpjfgd to remain, as was .sometimes the case, mere words and phrases, because words and phrases .would not win a battle, but must be put into practical execution. If they were, the result need not be feared. .