THE WAR ANNIVERSARY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 84, 7 August 1915, Page 2

THE WAR ANNIVERSARY.

STRATFORD'S SOLEMN MEETING

[To Thh Emtoh STiuxfoun Post.] Sir,- From the comments one Wars, it would appear that Mr Solo's letter about sums up the impressions ol the public present at the War Anniversary meeting. It is much to be regretted, and as one of those in some degree responsible, as an accessory before the fact, far the tone adopted from the stage. I ask your permission to attempt to remove the impression of despondency produced, and to explain how it came about that such a tone was given to the meeting. It appeared to tlio.se, .including myself, whom the Mayor consulted as to the programme, that the occasion being undoubtedly a solemn one. it would be fitting that stress should be laid upon the magnitude of the task before the Allies and upon the sacrifices) that will have to bo made by all of us if success is to be achieved.' I still think that it was right that this aspect of the war should be put forcibly to the meeting. Hut an equally important point was overlooked or not given sufficient prominence, ami that was the duty of accepting the task (cruelly great arid exacting as it is) with cheerfulness. As a plain matter of fact, there is no more occasion for despondency than there is for a foolish optimism that imagines that we can win the light with one hand as it were. I don't propose to refer to the military situation or to the economic situation. Where experts differ so widely, il is useless for a layman to try to lorm opinions. The fall of Warsaw may or may not lie of importance. Germany's resources may be, or may not be, near exhaustion. All that we need ■trouble ourselves about is our individual duty to do all that we personally are able to do to help our cause; to do it smilingly and willingly; not to underrate the enemy, nor our own strength ; to expect no miraculous interposition of Providence in our liehalf, such as the Mayor hinted at. In a word, to so act that, whatever the issue, we shall not reproach ourselves with having done less than our utmost., Our boys at the front have the name for irrepressible cheerfulness under all circumstances, and why should we not lie the same?—l am. etc.. T. HARRY PKXN. August Gth, 1915.