The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1914. THE WAR.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LXXIII, Issue 4421, 14 August 1914, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1914. THE WAR.

Thk departure of the mounted volun tears yesterday morning has served to L.-iug b*..-jf to us the gravity of the' war, Before our men absolutely left we realised that Britain was fighting for our liberty, and all were prepared | to make great sacrifices to aid ("he Cause of the Empire. The departure of the sons of New Zealand entails an even heavier sacrifice, which many parenlß have made unflinchingly Tnere ia no doubt that that is the gitates: sac rifice a citizen can make —to send his son to defend the ompiie. It ia to be hoped that ibid wur will noi bo of long duration, and ihat the services of our men will not be required Expeiietue has, however, been generally 'he other way. One man, who has live"d long enough to have seen three big wais; said that in every case it was stated at the outset tbat the trouble could not last more than a few. weeks, but the fight in each instance was prolonged for,many months. There is no doubt that the deadly instruments of modern warefare, by increasing the mortality bave served to .reduce the duration of Warfare, but Germany and Austria are two vast countries. Tbat Btitain, Jfrance, Belguim, Russia and allies Will triumph uUirhately there is no doubt, but the question is how long it' will take them tb give Germany the j lesson she deserves. In the meantime the loss of life and property must be enormous,* and we must; be prepared to hear of much suffering among those of our jkin. The meagre news of th e war is a distinct feature, but though the Imperial Government by censoring Ihe messages very heavily has in. creased the anxiety, particularly oi those in Britain who have their men engaged*, it is a wise move calculated to reduce the term of the war. Dueing the Transvaal War the -British were far too lavish with their news. and informed tbe enemy very exhaustively of their movements, There ib no doubt Germany has spies everywhere in the globe who will benefit by the news of the movements of the British navy and army ; but'in New Zealand here we shall feel tbe pinch of the lack of news more whon our men are at the front. We should, take, a lesson from the tnasses in Britain who are showing marvellous patience at tbe present time. Tbe Circulation of rumours in every part of the Empire has served to upset those in the Old Country;-, but:,;though Mr Winston Churchill has reassured ■them with regard to the losses in the ttavy, they have been content with; very meagre news, realizing that the .suppression of news is for the best endß of tbe British cause. To oome to our own district, the people bave shown every • readiness to make big sacrifices for the war. Tbe collectors report only one or two refusals. In most oases men, women and children have given most liberally, evincing a readiness to give a seoond time should it be required. All are prepared to make a big sacrifice for the War Fund. If this war mean 3 a big losf, to the world in the destruction of pro perty and loss of life, there is a si.ve r lining in the cloud in the sight o'. the people of tbe Empire being so reidy tv make huge sacrifices for their, cou-q,. try. The response to the call tarbeen marvellous, and shows tbaAi in Bpite of striken, aatimilitarism, etc., the old spirit of devotion to the Empire is,atJ,4ij"oqg, as it ever wa3.