The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1917 PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 313, 25 September 1917, Page 2

The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1917 PROGRESS OF THE WAR

"We nothing extenuate, nor let down audit in malice

We are passing just now through one of those anxious and critical periods which are almost inevitable in such a gigantic struggle as that in which we and our Allies are engaged. The revolution in Kussia, and the events which followed. have upset the calculations of the \llies. and have thrown upon tlieni a much heavier burden. But, unpleasant as the fact is, it is our duty to face it with resolute, unllinching and undismayed courage We have got to recapture some of that spirit of stern re<ol\ e with which the whole British nation entered upon the war. We had no doubt then what our duty was, or of the justice of our cause. With the fuller and bitter knowledge we have since gained of German aims and methods we can have none now. And it ought to be a source of great moral strength and support that the United States, against its will, should have felt impelled to draw the sword against the I'ower which is seeking to dominate and tyrannise over the world. There was no phase more often upon our lips in the early days ot the war than the one that we must see this struggle through, "cost what it may." How little any of us then suspected what the cost would be ! The

cost in money is gigantic and unprecedented. Tens ot thousands have had to count the cost in bitter tears for loved onus who have laid down their lives on the altar of duty. And who can assess the cost iii darkened and ruined homes, and blight?d hopes and lives J The cost has been

great, and niu4 be greater yet before the victoi v upon which we are set is achieved lint in count-

in; 4 the eo.st of victory let lis not forget Ili.it the cost <it de-teal would be immeasurably greater, mnie bitter, more lasting, aUtl wtnilil lea\ e a legacy of shame and humiliation t<' "in children I.el there 1»- no mistake. ("Vrman ]in11toses and aims remain the same, l>r Michaelis, the new German Clrancelloi. neviitly, in truculent language, said that the peace Ciei many aspires to is that of ''those who have successfully carried through their purpose," in oilier words, a peace dietnti d

by viciors 10 the vanquished. We know what - noli a pea(Y would mean fur the Empire, .uul our Allies. It woukl he the peace of thi tvrant. tho p>.?oe ol Ihe wolf and the lamb, and the lamb would soon cease to count. Such a peace, or even a sham peace which" would leave the whole world still an aimed camp, we do not want. Let us not be deceived by the language of Dr Michaelis. He spoke according to his book. Germany is not in a position — and is not likely to lie—to dictate any peace, still le°s one on the terms he suggested- He would have the world believe that she is invincible. The world knows, and British -oldiers in particular know, that she is not. Given patience and that British quality of fortitude which has stood us in such good stead in former days, we shall ere long reap the fruits of a real and not a sham peace.