The Daily News. FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1915. OUR BOYS AT THE FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 275, 30 April 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1915. OUR BOYS AT THE FRONT.

The news received yesterday that King George had sent a congratulatory message to the Governor of New Zealand on the success of our boys at the Dardanelles came as a surprise to the major portion of the community. Taken in connection with the recent magnificent stand made by the Canadians on the Yser, and that the Australians participated in the landing at Callipoli, there is every justification for the' Old Country to feel prond of her overseas sons, who have so strikingly upheld the best traditions of the English race. Jt is a matter for much regret that we are still ignorant of what our boys have done, but that it is a signal service to the -Allies must be inferred from the fact that it was worthy of a special message of praise from the ruler of the Empire. All we know is that a portion of the main expeditionary force which has for some months been training in Egypt left there some three weeks ago for the Dardanelles. This body seems to have been composed almost entirely of the infantry, probably including the engineers. They landed at several points on the peninsula under cover of the warships, and evidently

lost no time in making their hold on the new country secure in spite of, barbed wire entrenchments and pits with sj.ikes at the bottom. There has evidently been some fighting in which our boys have proved their metal and earned special distinction—as we all knew they would when the opportunity came. Both the people of Australia and Now Zealand feel sore at the excessive secrecy observed, and further details of what has taken place are being awaited with the keenest interest, and even anxiety. One of the effects of this gratifying success should show itself in the stimulation given to recruiting. How necessary it is for those of our adult male population (especially the Unmarried portion) who are fit- for the work to join the reinforcements" may be gathered from the speech of the Defence Minister last night at Dunedin. He pointed out clearly that every soldier put out of action must be replaced by two recruits. The units of the Empire are only just commencing to recognise tho serious nature of the struggle that is taking place, and what i.t' would mean if by any woeful mischance Germany should make good and pour out tho vials of, wrath on the vanquished. We have seen what those barbaric and fiendish Teutons can accomplish in the way of horrors, and it is to put an end to their power for evil that the sons 'of the Empire are girding on their 'armor as in the days of chivalry. It may be safely left to the Government of the dominions to care for the wounded and the dependents of those who fall. To-day we are jubilant over the fact that our boys* have earned the honors of war, and that very feeling imposes on all who can do so the duty of serving his country to the best of his ability, and thereby help to ensure the ultimate triumph of the Allies over the disturbers of the. world's peace.