The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1918. HOW BRITAIN LIFTED THE GAGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1918. HOW BRITAIN LIFTED THE GAGE.

Before any just conception is arrived at as to how Britain met the German challenge it is necessary to take into consideration the conditions which, existed there at the outbreak of the war. That the Motherland was quite unprepared for a great military struggle is well known, but in addition to this there has to be considered that the crisis arrived at a time when the Government of the day, with Mr Asquith as Premier, was notoriously peace-loving, trusting to diplomacy to avert the clash of arms. Besides this phase there were other causes which militated to a considerable extent against effective operations for meeting a challenge that meant the putting forth of the utmost effort to resist German militarism. There had been a long struggle with the House of Lord 3. Ireland was seething with discontent verging on rebellion, industrial conditions were approaching a climax that bid fair to create an unprecedented upheaval, and trouble seemed to be looming up in India. That the wily Huns had noted these adverse influences may be taken for granted, and it is evident that they considered the time most propitious for their infamous crusade, so they struck. How Britain met the challenge is ime of the marvels of the age. It had an electrical effect on the Government and the people. There was no hesitation, but at once as if by the stamp qf a foot the. nation rose to arms, all differences melted in the ardor for the cause which had to be defended. Diplomacy had done its best but had failed, and nothing but . armed force would prevail. Fortunately there was no sign of panic. It was felt that the Navy waa in sufficient strength to do justice to the vital duty it would have to perform, so that so far as the United Kingdom was concerned there was confidence that its defence was in safe hands. That tension existed was only natural, but it was the tension that wound up the people to action. Although the Premier held the portfolio of Minister of War when the gage was thrown down by Germany, he at once retired in favor of Lord, Kitchener, so that those who were mainly responsible for meeting the challenge consisted of Mr Asquith, Mr Lloyd George, Lord Kitchener and Viscount Grey. They had to face a task the colossal nature of which would, have made them quail had they possessed that sense of second sight which would have shown the extent of the conflict, but with true British courage and grit they set to work on the first stages of preparation and organisation. To Lord Kitchener belongs the credit of raising an army that grew into millions, but to Mr Lloyd George is due the crowning success in so organising the munitions manufacture that he saved defeat and paved the way to final victory. In an incredibly short space of time a "nation of shopkeepers" became a great military as well as naval power, but it would be impossible to summarise the activities entered upon, a description. of which would fill a large volume. It may probably be thought that Mr Asquith was the weak member of the War Ministry, but it has to be remembered that it fell to his lot to convert a peace Cabinet to a war Cabinet as a guide to the nation. He was largely the inspiring force which created the enthusiasm that marked the early recruiting, and his calm confidence and cool judgment acted as a tonic and stimulant at a time when these elements were most needed. As the war progressed the imperativeneedfor conscription both of labor and fighting forces became obvious, and it was Mr Asquith's voice and action that paved the way to the acceptance of that drastic measure being almost universal. Yet, while in other respects he was a to wer of str engthto thenation, he lacked that dri vingpower which became so essential when the magnitude of the war operations became revealed. After eighteen months, the double failure of the diplomacy and strategy of the Allies in the Balkans, shook the Asqc.ith Coalition to its foundations and brought Mr Lloyd George to the head of the Government. To attempt to give an adequate sum-1 mary of the latter's war work would be impossible. ,As Chancellor of the Exchequer he placed the nation's finances on a firm basis that lias stood the strain of raising the most colossal sums of money in the world 's history. As Minister of Munitions he revolutionised the industry so that the output not only sufficed for the needs of the British forces, but was able to supply the Allies. This great- work was the Empire's salvation, for Germany had been preparing her munitions for decades: and Britain had to start at zero Lloyd George's was the impelling force that secured the material necessary for success on the field of battle, rod to his thrilling eloquence was due the awakening of •'

the country to a realisation of the gigantic nature of the struggle which men, money and munitions could alone bring to a successful issue. Moreover, it is to his persistence, in face of determined opposition by politicians and military officers, that the great step was taken in the direction-of unity of control of the Allied armies. Now that events have proved the wisdom of entrusting Marshal Focli with the position of Generalissimo, the effectiveness of that step is abundantly evident. There can be no question that to Foch's brilliant and sound strategy final victory was due, and as his appointment, was the result of Mr Lloyd George's determined insistence, the British Premier may fairly be allotted a full share in the glorious triumph of the Empire. One of the great lessons of the war is the value of unity. The people were united in a common resolve, the Government was assisted whole-heartedly by the Unionists, the Dominions were drawn to the Motherland in a union so strong that it should last for all timeall in cause of liberty, freedom and justice, and the patriotism of Labor deserves a high place of honor in connection with the attainment of the goal which has at last been reached. Last, but by no means least, a special tribute of praise is due to the women for their work in the war. They found their vocation and glorified their sex by their patriotism. Here too, is another link in the chain of anion, showing the immense value of women's co-opera-tion. Germany little thought what she had to face when she flung her arrogant challenge in the face of the men and women of Britain, but to-day she is forced to her knees by a united people, and her humiliation is a tribute to the dogged tenacity of the British race.