The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14. 1917. THE WAR AND ITS BURDENS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14. 1917. THE WAR AND ITS BURDENS.

j iic speeea mime dv .ur. isonar Law, as Pianccllor of the JCxcliequcr, in tlx? House of Commons, as published in this Coming's cables, marks another step in Hie journey to victory, but it also rm-phai-ises the immensity of the financial bv>iden, us well as the need for still further sacrifices. In moving a credit vote of four hundred millions on December 11, Mr, Bonar Law said the average daily cost of the war had risen to five millions seven hundred and ten' thousand— a figure that was uot appalling-. He then emphasised the following points:— "Success and rapidity of victory must depend on pooling all the resources of all the Allies, men, munitions, and money—one cause, one fight. "Armies on the present scale cannot continue indefinitely; all we hope i>: to keep them strong enough to beat the Germans. ".Expenditure on the present scale cannot continue indefinitely, but f at least believe we shall not fail for lack if money.''

On Monday last, when introducing in the House another credit vote for live hundred and fifty millions, Mr. Bonar UiW said the total votes of credit for the current financial year would be nineteen hundred and fifty millions. Owing to the increased expenditure upon munitii v.s the daily cost of the army, navy, mid munitions had increased by a million compared with the first sixty-three days of the financial year. Although these figures are appalling to most people, they represent an irreducible minimum necessitated by the gigantic nature of the task upon which Britain and her allies are engaged. It must be remembered that not only has Britain to provide the necessary funds for army, navy, munitions, and transport expenses, but has to financially assist her allies, the extent of that aid up to March 31 next amounting *o a total of eight hundred and ninety

millions—approaching a million a day. It is not surprising to find the Chancellor of the Exchequer somewhat anxious as to the success of the new war loan, and this ci'ossal drain on Britain's finances explains why the present energetic war loan campaign is being carried out in order to ensure success, so that whatever other grave troubles have to be faced, thai concerning ways and means may cause no worry. Mr. Eonar Law is confident of the future, in spite of the difiicullies involved, and it is a confidence that is justified by experience of the past and the determination of all classes of the community to prosecute the war to a successful conclusion, no matter how great may be the sacrifices entailed. Mr. Bonar Law uttered an obvious truth uhen lie said that ''this expenditure cannot continue indefinitely," but he knows, and we know, that Britain can bear the strain longer than our enemies, and in this fact is to be found the crux of the petition as regards the ultimate issue, for it indicates that Britain can hold out the longest financially. But there is additional cause for satisfaction in the authoritative statement that we are nut only superior to the enemy, man for man. but our equipment is superior also. When it is realised that money, numbers and equipment are the dominating factors in success, it will be seen that the balance is largely on the side of the Allies. What is now being done on a small scale on the West front is evidence of what can and doubtless will be crfctled on a major scale in the near future. There is no good purpose to be scned by minimising the difficulties that have yet to be surmounted, or the further sacrifices which will nave to be nude. All that is needed is courage and determination. That is what Mr. Bonar Law meant when he said: "Neither as regards finance, courage, nor endurance, will we go back till we have reached the end we have set ourselves." What is the outlook? Germany is beaten on the West; she has been brought to a standstill in Roumnnia;- while in the Riga theatre the Russians are making good headway, and in the other theatres the Austro-Cermans are on the defensive. They know they are beaten, and, apparently, their only hope is fixed on the now campaign of maritime frightfulncss. When this prop has fallen—as fall it nuisl—the days of trerman power will be numbered. Already there is a desperate cry for peace in Berlin, soothed for the time being by the delusion of Britain's starvation through the submarin.- campaign, but we do not place any importance on any means for ending the war except that of a decisive victory, amV to secure this the whole of our resources must be forthcoming.