"THE WAR IS NOT NEARLY OVER."

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 292, 13 July 1917, Page 2 (Supplement)

"THE WAR IS NOT NEARLY OVER."

Tho war is not over. Its worst and most dangerous phases have still to be developed. We must not lean upon the United States. Tie very splendour of President Wilson's declaration is a temptation. It makes one feel like sinking into an anr.cnair and leaving it to America to save civilisation.

With these words Mr Lovat Fraser commenced an article which was published in London in the early days of April last, his purpose being to warn the nation against the temptation to "ease off" in consequence of America's entry into the arena. Mr Lovat Fraser is by no means pessimistic. In his estimation civilisation is alreadysaved. His view is that the men who settled the destinies of mankind were humble men, Marshal Joffre and FieldMarshal Frenc'i. History will recognise that the battle which broke the power of Germany was tho Battle of the Marne. After that mighty conflict Germany made one more serious effort. She staked her destiny upon the battle of Ypres. When Great Britain overthrew her in that battle the future of the world was decided. "We rejoice,' says Mr Fraser, "that the United States ha 3 entered the war, because wa know full well that she means business. We are convinced that she will draw the sword, r.nd not merely draw cheques. No one who possesses even the smallest knowledge of Americans and of the United States can doubt what the result will be. The American nation will assuredly go to war with both feet. I do rot take any notice of calculations about the number of divisions which the United States Government can put into the field in a given time. Ido not care about figures and reports. I happen to have set foot in America, I know n little of the American spirit, and I am confident that on the great day when the horsemen of the liberty-loving nations rids> through Potsdam, America will be there. Once the President has declared war you could not keep the United States ont'With a pitchfork. All calculations are absurd when they are brought into contact with the great waves of human emotion which the later phases of this war have generated. It is good to be alive, and the younger chief among whom are Russia and the United States, are teaching us the pathway to victory over the ridiculous presumptions of the Prussian text-books. It has been said with truth that we have not fully grasped this war and all that it means. One perceives tho truth of the statement when one reflects upon the splendid story of the entry of the Australians into Bapaume. You must have seen Australia to know what this means to Australians. You mu3t have seen not only the glory of Sydney, but the spacious country in the heart of Australia, north of Lake Eyre. I often think it must be difficult for Englishmen to understand the pride Australians feel in Australia. When you have seen their country you comprehend in a moment. But translate these thoughts into American, and try to think what an American soldier will feel when he lands upon the soil of France with his President's inspiring words ringing in his ears." At the same time, Mr Fraser insists that we must remember that the United States cannot help us to win the rar next week or the week after next. He says:—The enemy are in a stronger position than we are willing to acknowledge. The submarine campaign is not in its latest phases an idle menace. The war in the air has never truly gone in favour of the Allies, and it certainly is not going in our favour to-cay. Sir William Robertsm has warned us of the strength of the Germans in point of numbers. We ought to realise how formilable is tin position with which we are confronted. Tne United States might help us nest year, but no American help will be of use to us this year; and the war will be derided this year. Ido not mean that it will be ended this year, but that th» events of this year will determine the end. We ought to recognise that in France the enemy are in a very strong position. Again and again we are being misled by paltry triumphs on the outskirts of the war. The victories of Sir Stanley Maude and Sir Archibald Murray are of no [ rimary importance. This war will not lie won in Palestine or in Mesopotamia, and nl! the learned explanations of the seriousness of these outlying campaigns are extremely misleading. The war will he won or lost near the heart, and the heart of this war is in France. We nr'.st keep on fighting in France. We must keep on fighting Germans." The British Government calls for more men. arid Mr Fraser says his fear is that when eight/ millions of human beings are thrown into the scale against Germany we shall not realise how strong and how practical a-e the conditions against 1 or. We shall think that been use President Wilson has declared war there is no need for us to continue our endeavours. Tuat, indeed, would he i fatal mistake.