The daily News. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1915. CRITICS ON THE WAR PATH.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 October 1915, Page 4

The daily News. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1915. CRITICS ON THE WAR PATH.

The unedifying spectacle presented by certain members of the British House of Commons who are bent on worrying already overstrained Ministers is by no means pleasant to contemplate. Above all things, it is necessary at this extremely critical stage of the war that there should be at least a semblance of unity, and an exhibition of confidence in those who are at the head of affairs that will convince our enemies we are at one in the determination, at all costs, to prosecute the struggle to a successful conclusion. Instead of this course being adhered to we find that Ministers are bombarded with" questions which imply, if they do not express, dissatisfaction with the conduct of the war—questions to which no reply could be given without danger to the cause we have at heart. Admitting that the representatives of the people have the right to ask for information on any subject under the sun, there can be no possible justification for a course of a'ction which ojir enemies will construe as the ravings of a foe that is demented by reason of reverses that presage defeat. It is deplorable that patriotism should be at such a low ebb that it is affected by fear on the part of those who are unable to understand the elementary ethics of warfare. They may feel very strongly that blunders have been made, but what they do not realise is the right way to act. If their nerves were steadier and they took time for reflection and sane thought before thrusting themselves into the limelight, they must surely come to the conclusion that to aJd to the worries of the Ministry is not conducive to the maintenance of that essential concentration of thought on vexing problems so imperative for the welfare of. the country and the prosecution of the campaign. It is even doubtful whether they realise that they are committing a crime closely verging on that of treason, and that were" they in Germany they would be set to work on the loads or otherwise safely disposed of so that they would no longer be a thorn in the flesh of the authorities. The liberty ot speech allowed to Members of Parliament is rightly regarded as a cherished privilege, but when this is abused in such a way as to play into the hands of our enemies it is in danger of being revoked. We have only to compare the action of these rabid mischief-makers with that of Sir E. Carson —one of the most fiery-tongued speakers in Parliament—to see how wide is the gulf between true patriotism and criminal folly. (Sir K. Carson resigned from the Cabinet because he was not in accord with its Balkans policy, but he refrained from saying a single word that would reflect on his late colleagues, while setting an example of patriotic loyalty that might well have shamed the scaremongers. The need for such loyalty is imperative, and public opinion in the Homeland should denounce fn unmeasured terms such disgraceful tactics as those exhibited by the

harriers of the Ministry. They are not worthy of the name of Britishers, just as they are deficient in those grand characteristics which have made the race famous throughout the world.

THE ORIENT. In a recent contribution to the New York Evening Mail, Mr. Paul Rohrbach states that the vast majority of Germans realise that "the ultimate result of the victory or defeat of Germany and Austria-Hungary will depend upon our ability to preserve the strength of Turkey and to uphold our connection with her. The decision of war for us, as well as for our foes, will he found in the Orient." The latest developments of the war 'tend to emphasise the truth of this assertion, and go to prove that Germany's strenuous efforts to bribe and coerce the Balkan Powers was not merely to create a diversion, but formed part of her plans, rumors of which were in circulation early in September last. It may be that Britain should have long ago entered upon a propaganda in the Balkans that would have been effective, but we must see things as they are, and there can be no question that of late every effort has been made to win over tho Balkan States to the side of the Allies. The probability is that, knowing how these States hung upon the fate of the Russian arnii«s, Germany made desperate efforts to annihilate those armies. In this she signally failed, but was, apparently, able to convince Bulgaria that Russia was powerless either as a pro-

tector or as an assailant. It l seems Massing strange that the other States— Greece and Boumania—should have failed to understand that Russia-is in reality stronger and better equipped than ever. As a consequence both have held aloof, but they may find to their cost that their present policy will lead to a day of reckoning. It is evident that Britain has not given up all attempts to induce Greece to join the Allies, for this morning's cables convey the news of Sthe offer to cede Cyprus as an induce- ' ment. Whether this offered bribe was wise or not may evoke a difference of opinion. It is more than likely that an ultimatum would have more effectually served the purpose, only it is of vital importance, if possible, to secure at least a friendly neutrality that will enable the Allies' forces to reach and help the Serbians. Few people fully understand the vital importance of this 1 campaign in the Orient, but there is ; every indication that the British and ', French Governments are keenly alive to i it, and will strain their resources in order to checkmate Germany's designs. Germany may well be anxious at the turn events are now taking. From her point of view Turkey must be saved from the Allies at all costs, so that it may be scooped into her net. Bulgaria , has made her choice and must abide by it for weal or for woe—inevitably the ' latter. When the other States realise that the war will go on until victory for the Allies is secured they wilt surely ' want to be on the winning side. If ' they hesitate much longer they will > certainly be on the losing side, and they > will be missing from the map of Europe.