THE DREADNOUGHT GIFT AND THE WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC LEAGUE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 492, 27 April 1909, Page 4

THE DREADNOUGHT GIFT AND THE WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC LEAGUE.

Sir,-In an English country boarding school a. big brutal bully (ultimately expelled) used to got up. fights between two "chums" by hinting to each that the other had been telling lies about him,, and offered to fight him. bo, in tho world's wide field of battle" thero is a lying spirit" ;abroad that delights ill spreading the rumours and, the panic of war.' Have the words "Bo just and fear not" been erased from our hearts that tho'air is so full of ; unreality, of mistrust,' and tremor? , If this, fair -Zealandia wero.in tho grip of: a relentless -invader, as ! Italy some sixty odd years ago, in her "darkest day, lay helpless in tho power of Austria, appeal might then bo justly mado like that of the patriotic priest, Ugo Bassi, who stood "-before" the seething crowd ■ in. tho raarkfct-placo of Bologna, and from his heart . - . Called on whomsoever would to bring His offering ,to the treasury of war. And,all day long.the people came and went, Unceasing, and the square was all alivo. With voices and bright colours . And many feet repassing, and full hands. Then,.in such an hour, the impulsive offer of a Dreadnought and . the formation of u "Women's Patriotic League would be natural, needful, and noblo. But here and now, Sir Joseph ''runs before :ho is sent." He ; speaks with uncertain sound, ( and not "with authority"; lijj awakno responsive heart throbs. At the first public meoting to consider, his sensational outburst the majority declared/in effect', that ho had overstepped alike tho modesty and the prerogatives of his office, and assumed ■ an authority that out-Kaisored - the Kaiser. He hasdono.moro: In tho unmistakablo avowal of distrust ho has made'war. with Germany more possible. As there is no greater honour than implicit confidence, there-, is' no greater, more alienating insult than to say, "I do not trust you ; your friendship is seeming; your words may bo smoother than butter-; war is in your heart." . i But with Germany, it may be said, it is deeds, open and secret, .that alarm I Why and what this boil, haste in building Dreadnoughts, destroyers; aeroplanes, and this popular enthusiasm that, supplies every. German city with Navy collecting-boxes, but infallible signs of coming war, and a deepvoiced warning? But war with what Power?A warning to whom? Are we to count tho ■life-long friendship l and assurances of King Edward and the' Kaiser; the international municipal, and professional visits and 'inter-, course, as so much diplomatic insincerity? If War bo .unavoidable, let its certainty and its .cause Be'made fully known, and let tho whole community ..judge and declare' Whether it bo just, .or unjust?.. Nothing 'can be more impolitic' or demoralising than appeals to. fear; nothing easier than'to create, a panic, but who can foresee its results? Surely unless this colony loses its head in a war scare it will see the; peril of leaving its destiny to the awful suspehse and uncertainty of a great naval engagem:nt,'and will curso the folly •that allowed years and,years to pass aimlessly by without learning from tho objectlesson of tho most scientific and greatest 'military Power'in.,Europe,-'first in making military training compulsory, and by organisation),equip.nont, and strategic railways securing as. effective' a. land force as possible, and then to devote the shmo resolute energy in assisting to maintain a supreme' and 'impregnable British Navy that shall be to this lair land a "very present help in time of need." In a word,, the problem-is not to create,_ but to maintain , and ' wisely direct true, patriotic enthusiasm.—l am, etc.,'. IODWIN COX. Cambridge. ' :