Grey River Argus and Blackball News.

Grey River Argus, 23 October 1915, Page 4

Grey River Argus and Blackball News.

•Mivered every morning in Qteymontfc Kumara, Hokitika, Dobion, Wallsend, Taylor "i!le, Brunnerton, Stillwater. Ngahere, Blackball, !>l9on Creek, Ahanri, Ikamatua, Waiata, , Ko/stio, Cronodun, Bu* anga, Dunollie, Cobden, aaxtei'a, Kokiri, ?alara, Kaimata, Aratika, Kotuku, Moana, Bur a, Te Kinga, Bote m inn : Boeraa, I bonnie, Jaokiom and Otira <

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1915

IN spite of the gigantic task that Britain entered upon when she declared war on Germany, the people were most optimistic as to the result, but when the struggle did not go as they expected they began to exhibit signs of the deepest pessimism. There were no decisive land victories, and the British Navy was unable to persuade the German High Seas j Fleet to come and receive its quietus. For this state of affairs our generals and admii»als were severely censured to self critics. We must all admit that grave blunders have been commitbut when we review the position calmly we must admit that the Avonder is that we have done so well as we have. Germany was preparing for this war for nearly forty years. She had organised an army that was numbered /by millions and which was drilled to such perfection that it moved lifee clockwork. Strategic railways were built in every part of the country, and these enabled troops to be hurried quickly to any point where they were needed. The industrial army of the country was also splendidly organised, and huge stores of guns and munitions were laid by. The aid of the scientists in the Fatherland was requisitioned to prepare deadly shells that would kill hundreds by a single blast and '-before the attack of which powerful fortifications crumbled into dust. More important still, German spies were, sent to all parts of the world and lavish expenditure of German gold placed the Kaiser's secret service in possession of the most valuable secrets of the defences of various countries. German goods and. German agents were to be found in the markets of the world, and money was obtained that was to be used in the great war that was to make Germany master of the world. Although warned for years Britain took no measures to meet the com ing storm. She had. a very small but efficient regular army and a number of half trained territorials.. Her supplies of munitions were shocking inadequate, and she had no idea of the extent of the ' resources of the ' Germans. She had such a good opinion of Germany that she never contemplated for one moment that the disciples of "Kultur" would ignor the "scrap of paper" and wantonly violate the neutrality of Belgium. When we think of Ml these, things we can only marvel that the Anglo-French army was not crushed out of existence by the Teutons' first mad rush. Since that time we have been working hard to remedy our lack of early preparation and every day we are becoming stronger and more efficient. Our Navy was, however, ready for war, and, has done magnificent work. The German Fleet has been bottled up in the Kiel Canal, and on the few occasions that any of the vessels have ventured out they have been severely handled. The German war ships in the South Atlantic and Pacific have been sunk byBritish gun fire, and the German mercantile flag has disappeared from the ocean routes of the world. The submarine blockade, which Admiral von Tirpitz boasted, would starve Britain into subjection has been effectivel dealt with and over sixty enemy submersibles have been accounted for. Transports and hospital ships pass daily between France and England, and so far not one has failed to reach its destination. \The British Fleet is now more truly master of the sea than ever it has been. In the fighting that is yet to take place we are bound, to have losses that will tend to depress us, but when such is the case let us calmly review the situation, and think of what has already been accomplished in the faqe of such fearful odds. Above all let us remember that the British Fleet still holds undisputed command of the sea, and while such is the case there is no cause for pessimism.