The Daily News. FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 1915. ANNIVERSARY OF THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 1915. ANNIVERSARY OF THE WAR.

Throughout the Empire, the anniversary of the declaration of war by Britain against Germany was fittingly observed on Wednesday. Probably, the most memorable of all the gatherings was that at St. Paul's Cathedral, London, whore a patriotic service of intense simplicity took phuc in the presence of the King and Queen and other Royalties, besides Ministers of the Crown, including Lord Kitchener, tile Agents-General, numerous high military officers and a large contingent of wounded. The sight presented both inside and outside of the sacred edifice, which has been the scene of many national gatherings on special occasions, must have been such as to indicate that the hearts of the people of the metropolis were stirred to their depths, and the reception accorded to the King and Queen along the route traversed must have fully demonstrated that the whole nation was heart and soul with the Allies in their great task at the front. The exhortation of the Archbishop of Canterbury is one that will be taken to heart by the nation, and his tribute to the women did credit to the best instincts of manhood. The keynote oP ali the assemblies that day was rightly one of grateful confidence and high hope for the success of the dauntless troops that are fighting the enemy, and yie'diug up their lives on the high altar of patriotism. "In the year that has gone since we set our hands to this fearful task, we have,'' said the Archbishop of Canterbury. " learnt milch and given our very best and bravest, and, before fiod, we believe it worth while.'' No truer words were ever uttered. That tlie whole Empire holds this view is evident by the generous outpouring of its 'resources of men. money and other gilts, to ensure the triumph of the just cause for which we are contending, and their hope and prayer in this respect were a.ptly voiced hy Mr. Bonar taw, at Folkestone, wtlen he said: "My hope and prayer is that the result of the wai will make it impossible for one man M group of man ever again to plunge

the wuiid into war.'' To whit extent l.lic people of tin- Homeland arc prepared to make sacrifices was exemplified at .Dover, where hundreds gave jewels and money for Red Cross work. Xo one >ean help feeling proud lo be a memher of suvh a.)i Empire as the British, when deeds of self-sacrifice and self-denial are almost luiiversal. All tlie units have drawn closer and closer in this hour of supreme trial, and the religious services and patriotic gatherings that took place on Wednesday served as a focus of the great wave of feeling that found a vent through those channels, while the calm, but deep, confidence in the ultimate success of the struggle waa manifest in every instance, and indicates conclusively that there will be no cessation of hostilities until a lasting peace is assured. *-- ■ -