WHAT WON WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 134, 10 June 1927, Page 7

WHAT WON WAR

EMPIRE ENDURANCE

HAIG'S DECLARATION

PRIDE IN PART PLAYED

(United Press Association.—Copyright

(Sydney.Sun Cable.)

LONDON, Bth June.

"I doubt if it is yet fully realised in Britain the immensity of the British Army's contribution to the war," said Earl Haig, presiding at the Empire Service League Conference. Tremendous cheering broke out as Earl Haig proceeded to break diplomatic post-war silence. He said that

the national tendency to belittle our achievements was often fostered : by political considera t i o'n's, and allowed us to ascribe victory to ■various causes; as example: "The military genius of our Allies," "Onr -enemies' • mistakes," and "The intervention of

. • America"; anrthing, in fact, but the true cause, namely, the inherent fighting qualities of the British armies, and the endurance, loyalty, arid discipline of the British peoples throughout the world. But, he added, the American reserves did bung the war to what many politicians regarded as an unexpectedly sudden end. • : • . ■■ J '

BEAEING THE BTJBTiIN.

British Empire, Earl Haig declared, during the last eighteen months of the war, had carried the burden victoriously, and almost solely, on its own shoulders. It mobilised, equipped, and trained .the finest fighting force the world had ever seen in the greatest war of history. The direction -of that instrument mainly rested with himself. So far as he was personally concerned, -he was prepared to leave that to the judgment of history. At present he was concerned in securing a "fair measure of credit for all ranks composing the Empire's armies. . : "It is of the utmost importance fof the^fuf # -c," Earl Haig continues, that the people of Britain and. the Dominions accept the true version at the part they played. y The Empire SeS vice League will have justified itself if it keeps alive in.the hearts of members a just pride in their achievements in war-time.''. • ■