The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1916. A GREAT YEAR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 29, 30 December 1916, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1916. A GREAT YEAR.

The. year now closing may well be said to have been the most remarkable in Britain's history, for within it she has attained the impossible, and proved against hordes of the most highly trained soldiers of Germany that she is as powerful on land as she has ever been on the wide seas. Men of the Flag and Empire who in days past would never have dreamed of Britain with an Army of six millions, to-day are themselves proudly units of that Army, while the most wonderful Navy the world had ever seen has grown to double the size it was before the murderous foeman wilfully threw Europe into this awful Avar. Opposed as she has ever been to militarism with its burden of oppression, Britain, caught all unprepared, has rallied to her banners sons of the Empire from all its far-flung lands, and for the defence of all that honourable men hold dearer than life itself has made supreme? sacrifice. The war is not yet over, but 1917 opens with promise for the Nations banded together for the Bight against TurcoTeutonic ambitions to enslave the world. Russia, France and Britain, resenting the ill-timed and foolish interference of the United States, have made it plain to a startled Germany that they are steadfastly going forward to the goal set—the smashing of Prussian militarism—and we may confidently hope to see that] great goal reached before the year now opening fades away. The year now dying has been full of strenuous 1 days, and it will leave sad memories. of the, fallen brave. But tlie stining times passed through have done! much to bind the Empire and have, proved in- the furnace of war the true metal of our nation's manhood. To the New Year we may look forward hopefully and without fear, convinced that while yet there is sacrifice to be made, a righteous victory over the hosts of evil is assured.