FOUR YEARS OF WAR

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1918, Page 4

FOUR YEARS OF WAR

PERIOD OF CRISIS PASSED. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S MESSACfIfc TO fflS TROOPS. Received August 4, 5.5 pjn. London, August H Sir Douglas Haig has issued an orde. to the troops as follows; —The conclusion of the fourth year of war marks the passing of the period of crisis. We now look with added confidence to the future. Russia's revolution set free large hostile forces from th» Eastern front which were transferred to the U r est. It was the enemy's intention to me the great numbers thus created to gain a decisive victory before the arrival of the American# should'give the Allies a superiority. The enemy made an effort to obtain ft deoision on the Western front and failed. The steady stream of Americans arriving has already restored the -balance.

The enemy's first aad moat powerful blows fell oil the British', ffis superiority in men was thretf to one. Although pressed back in parts, the British line remained unbroken. After many days of heroic fighting/the glory of Which will live for all time, the enemy Was held.

At the end of four years' war the magnificent fighting qualities of our troops i remain at the highest order. I tha&k them for their devoted bravery and jre* eolation. I know they show like steadfastness and courage in whatever task they are called upon to perform.—Ann . N.Z. Cable Asboc. and Reuter.)

BAY OF LIBERTY DAWNING, GERMANY BAFFLED AND DEFEATED. . Received August 4, 5.5 p.m. Washington, August 3. The New York Times states, editorially that four years of war shows the Germans are baffled and defeated, falling back before General Foch's great strategy. The fifth year commences with the Germans on the defensive and the Crown Prince's army trying to extricate itself from a position of great peril. Lord Reading, interviewed, said the beginning of the fifth year finds Britain stern and resolute. The spirit of the people has not been finer, nor the confidence higher, The day of liberty is dawning, and a new era of peace will soon be open to the world.—Press Assoc,

CHANGE IX HUN "VIEWS. "ENTENTE HAS OViROOMB THE CRISIS." Received August 4, 5.5 pjn. Amsterdam,' August 3. There is a noteworthy change in tht, boastful comments of the German newspapers. The Frankfurter Zeitung, reviewing the war, says;—"We must admit the Entente has overcome the crisis conse» quent on Russia's -defection and also the submarine campaign after four years, and still leaves the situation tolerable for the enemy."—Aus.-N.Z. CabJ# Assoc, and Reuter.

NEW ZEALAND'S MESSAGE. TO THEIR KINSMEN AT HOME ' Received August '4, 5.5 p.m. London, August 2. In compliance with a special request, the Prime Minister of New Zealand (Mr. Massey) has sent the following message on behalf of New Zealand to the Central Committee of the National Patriotic Organisation for delivery at the London meeting on the Anniversary of the war;—

"Wo are now entering upon the fifth year of the war, and as British citizens we are no less determined than we were four years ago to carry on until victory comes to those armies which are fighting for all that the free and honor-lov-ing nations of the earth hold dear. XVi have had manv disappointments but we also had much to be thankful fur, and to-day we can claim confidently that the fighting forces of the Empire, both on land ' and water and in the nir, *are stronger than they have been any time in our history. This also is tra« of our Allies, especially since 'our kinsmen of the United Sttes of America came into the war in support of the same sacred cause as that which hag brought the bravest of Britain's sons from every quarter of the globe and for which the best blood of the Empire, has been poured out. There is now no reason for pessimism, but, on the contrary, every reason for confidence. With"renewed determination, (lie Allies will press forward, facing without hesitation any difficulties or dangers which they may encounter, but never stopping or laying aside the weapons of war until decisive victory has been won, bringing with it security and peace.". (Signed) W. MiSSEY.