The Daily News. TUESDAY, APRIL 24. THE COMING DAWN.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 April 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, APRIL 24. THE COMING DAWN.

"I hope and believe the long night of sorrow and anguish which has desolated the world is drawing to a, close." By these words Mr. Bonar Law recently struck a note of hopefulness that should find an echo in the hearts of the people of the Empire and even of those of our enemies. Taken by themselves they convey a picture of the passing of the long night of horrors, sufferings, and bloodshed, and the advent of brighter and better times when peace, freedom, justice and humanity shall reign oil earth. We must, however, view these lofty and noble sentiments in the light of the context, and then we find that the path immediately ahead has neve, been more difficult, for its passage can only be forced by fighting with greater intensity than ever. The* occasion which evoked the pronouncement by Mr Bonar Law was one that will live in history for all time; for it was by way of welcoming the United States as a new Ally in the war. While the United States held aloof there, was a great gap in the forces of the English-speaking people in their efforts to crush that hideous military despotism that has beea an ever-present menace to the civilised world, but now that America has joined hands with Britain and her Allies it can readily be believed that tho dawn of the new era is not far distant. At present the darkness of the long night of sorrow and anguish is only in process of giving way to the dawn of the day of victory and peace, and before that day bursts upon the world in all its glory, there will probably he much more suffering and loss of life, for the Hun despots are fighting for their very existence, knowing that the pressure from without and within is gradually qrind-

ing thorn between the two millstones We must not bo buoyed up with false hopes of tho United (States being the deciding factor from a military or naval point of view. That would be unpardonable folly. All tlie same, there is justification for regarding the entry of America into the war as a powerful factor in hastening its end. Already there are signs indicating this effect, and although -we fmve waited long for this event to happen, it may truly he said that at no time was the alliance more welcome and propitious than at the present. It must be admitted that we had almost given up all hope of action by the United States in furthering the determination of the Allies to uproot the disturbers of the world's peace, so that we can all the more heartily welcome America's disinterested intervention, which sets tho seal on the justness of the Allies' cause. Mr Asquith accurately summarised the situation when he said that for America to have stood aside with stopped ears, folded arras, and averted gaze, when she. had the power to intervene, would have made her not only become a spectator, but an accomplice in German frightfulness. Throughout the long dark night of the war, America's attitude has been inexplicable, but now she is practically working with the Allies for the maintenance of those grand ideals of liberty, humanity, and independence which the great American nation has in the past so fully represented. No greater guarantee for the world's peace can be secured than by a combination of the two great emblems of freedom—the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes. If for a moment we turn aside from the contemplation of this inspiring spectacle and glance at matters in the actual war theatres, there is abundant evidence of the approaching end of tho night of horrors and the dispersal of the dark clouds which have been for so long obscuring the bright rays that must burst forth when the dawn of tho new day of peace appears. The series of brilliant victories by the Anglo-French, the. growing desire for peace on the part of Austria, the defection and increased bitterness of the Turks towards their German mas. ters, the reorganisation of Russia, and the strengthening of the determination of the people to win the war, all point to the advent in the not-distant future of that day which we all so ardently desire. The intensity of the food crisis is causing ever-increasing trouble in Austro-Germany, and the governing classes will have to realise that although the men are prevented from joining in (he disorders, it ib with the women they will have to reckon, and the great work that women can accomplish in this direction, was amply exemplified in the French revolution. We reeognisc fully that all these factors are but side issues and that it is by a victory with arms that a peace worth having can alone lit procured. The Allies are forcing their way along the difficult path that leads to victory, and to tlie coming dawn. Our sacrifices must continue and probably be greater than ever, but to expedite the passing of the night of horrors should stimulate every tmit to do liis or her utmost to help in any and every way possible. The price of victory is colossal, but the fruits will well repay the outlay, j