The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11,1933. TO-DAY’S ANNIVERSARY.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 November 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1933. TO-DAY’S ANNIVERSARY.

Today marks a notable event in world history—the end of the Great War—“a war to end war.” Yesterday we wrote of the failure of disarmament, and the review of world events and the rivalries of ' nations, showed a critical position. But despite all that has been said and may be feared under the march of events, it is difficult to believe that war in any magnitude can come to the world again in the immediate present. The situation is dominated by the feeling in the minds of those who must realise the import of war under the present day engines of destruction. The Great War ended at a period when it was about to enter on a fresh stage of frightfulness. The Allies had been compelled to imitate their enemies, and many new methods of destruction were on the eve of introduction. Aerial raids (were about to be atttempted on a grand scale of destruction, and places distant from the actual fighting were to be involved. New and more ' insidious gases were being manufactured, soon to be let lease. These culminating features of horror did not come to pass but only because at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, found the. German peace plenipotentiaries ready to agree to the “cease fire” on the heavy terms which General Foch demanded. The world is surely unready to resume a dire conflict with the dice loaded so heavily against the combatants of both sides. Shell side in such a grand conflict would have to recourse to the desperate methods of attack, and with, an aerial warfare the conditions would be more dangerous for non-combatants in the aggregate, than combatants. An aerial fleet over a great, populous city could do incalculable damage and destruction in a few minutes, while the loss to the attacking party would be comparatively trivial. With the odds so tenable, surely Great Powers will not go lightly to war on a grand scale again. There are signs now of international pacts and understandings which show that the main parts of Furore should be assured from a sudden flare up. If Europe were in real concert, the world would be less perturbed. As the Great War ended on a note of surname achievement —vietorv accomplished without letting loose all the engines of destruction —so may we, recognising the full importance of the anniversary, recognise the true value of the event. In that spirit we may the more appreciate the great services to humanity of those who served, and did their part in a Bill measure of loyal tv to their country. Although it is fifteen years since the “cease fire” was sounded, the events of the four years of war has left crowded memories for many. Looking back to the war years, it is appropriate to recall the pride and pleasure taken in those who went forth unselfishly in the country’s causes. New Zealand played a notable part and its share in the Great War is the greatest event in our national history. Our men served well. Taken from the plough or the shop, they made fine soldiers. They earned a name and a reputation creditable alike to themselves and their country. They faced dangers and death, as duty called, and many had to pay the penalty. Tt is appropriate to remember their services, and think of the debt that can never be repaid. The country lias not been unmindful of its obligations, nor have the people in their generosity been niggarJly. But neither country nor people should grow weary of giving while such is "oc'ssnry. To-day, remembering all that the peace won saved the allied nations from, there is the same moral debt undischarged to broken soldiers in body and health, to the needy one who has fallen on lean tiim-’s. rnd to the families of those who served, who are now in distress.