THE TIMES WAR HISTORY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 10, 15 December 1915, Page 5

THE TIMES WAR HISTORY.

APPRECIATION OF THE ANZACS United Phew Association. Loudon, December 13. The last number of the Times’ War Hostory, dealing with the spirit of Anzac, comprehensively visualises the Australasian war efforts from the point of view of Englishmen. It declares that the spirit of Anzac has percolated through bom Dominions, changing their fibre and their thoughts. They have follower* the fortunes of their sons on those dreary, inhospitable dill’s where the destiny of Turkey is being so strangely linked with theirs. * They became, busy, too, with visions of a new Australianism and a new Imperialism, and for the first time became conscious of a place in the troubled orbit of the con- , Aiding nations. ) Referring to the episodes at Anzac, i the history describes the whole-heart-

ed efforts of whole communities f° equip their sons with the best of everything. It points out that the 'ordeal of labor in the Egyptain desert | camps wag part of an essential preparation, the men’s common-sense 'and desire to become efficient as "imperial soldiers triumphing over the self-independence inculcated by the free, limitless spaces of the Dominions. It describes the joy and eagerness, the almost sacred desire, with which each draft landed at Anzac, and laments the outbreak of dysentery, pointing out that few armies have borne so much, over such a length of time, and few have risen better to the perilous calls of their commanders.

The most moving part of the Gallipoli story will always be the splendid feelings it has called out in the breasts*of young Australasians. To them it was no ordinary adventure of war. These single-minded loyal youths had different conceptions of God, but every conception fitted with the sublime conception that this work for race and country was God’s work. Upon the tissues of their natures, the warm affections, cleanliness and liberty amongst which they were brought up, this fighting call precipitated something that seemed to them the highest thing possible. Gallipoli proved the warmth and generosity of the Australian and New Zealand character. They spent money, blood, and everything in their liberal selfeffacement. The wonderful stories of the South Land had proved the verities of discipline.

The plain story of Gallipoli is enough to stir the pride and to rouse the emulation of the British race. For generations Victoria Cross men have been wonderful, but the spirit of Anzac is heroic throughout. General Walker, after the Lone Pine fight, mentioned more than 150 men for decoration. It is wrong to regard the Australian a§ reckless. He had every possible reason for wishing to live—war affections, well-established homes, and a fruitful country. Life to him is very sweet, hut he has measured the sacrifice by the stake, and knowing that the great aim is to maintain the happiness of his country, feels justified in giving himself. The Times paper pays a tribute to the direct methods of the medical cyps, who do not consider traditions, but are ready for duty or to overwork themselves instead of awaiting orderlies. Australian doctors gave up comfort, incomes, and independence for the hard, disciplined fight in septic surroundings, and proved extraordinarily quick and skilled. The writer points out that there is no Imperial organisation, and the Dominions are kept in th e dark owing to the fear of leakage, or secrets, and there is no attempt to inform the Dominion press, which is allowed to flounder along with two articles in its creed, one faith in Britain and th© other the unshqkeable certainty of victory. He states that th© tragedy of Anzac was long in unfolding itself in Australasia. Anxiety ultimately followed disappointment, but nothing can shake the patient confidence in the race. The main product of the Anzac adventure is a renewed determination to see the war through. Misfortunes on the battlefield could not daunt the Australians or New Zealanders, but the leaders have begun to move towards London in response to the Dominions’ determination to take a greater part in the control of the Empire.

The Times War History has some interesting sentences on the Australasian leaders’ strength, and pays tributes to their practicability, di- , rectness, and patriotic opportunism, a product of the days when Messrs Fisher. Massey, Hughes, Cook, and others were working boys. The Australasians loathed the sands of Egypt, but admitted that they owed to them their fighting strength. The Australasians’ figi't ing qualities proved equal to every change of situation at Gallipoli. Men died with the same simple, unquestioning heroism as with wlveh they fought. The situation brought forth wonderful endurance, courage, resource, and engineering skill. ■ More striking than facing death was the capacity of the Australasians to endure hardships, comparable with those of the Crimea. Men deserted at Alexandria and stowed away to Anzac, and General Hamilton had not the heart to turn back the men, who, with tears in their eyes, begged to be allowed to go to Anzac. They-spent their blood at Anzac as prodigally as they did their substance at Cairo. ~

The officers’ systematic understanding won the confidence whic.t the British army won by the medicjd skill of the doctors. The British seemed unanimous in their desire to go into battle with the son of Australasia, who felt drawn closer to Britain by the common suffering and 'disappointment