THE DOMINIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17946, 13 November 1918, Page 6

THE DOMINIONS.

When the Germans launched their war macimio they regared the far-flung and loosely lcnit British Empire as a. thing of small power and of great weaknesses. They never believed that from the dominions of Britain, the free-governing States that go to make the Empire along with the ancient colonies, there would spring an army of sturdy lighting men who would prove their rignt to comparison with the greatest warriors of all time against the best troops that Germany could muster. In considering the part of the overseas troops iu tho war, there is a danger of overlooking- the' effects of this grave mistake by Germany and the results of her discovery of the error. She found the dominions to be a great reservoir of men. There is, too, a tendency in thinking over tlio achievements of the .overseas troops and their remarkable work, to lose sight of the Little Contemptible:;, tiie wonderful army which French-led in 1014-15. But the overseas soldiers at any rate proved their worth to be compared with them, and the work of the Australians, the Canadians, tho South Africans' and the New Zealanders in Franco and In the East has evoked such generous praise from the leaders of the enemy-as well as of the Allied armies, that the dominions may be well satisfied with the part their manhood played in tho war. The Indian troops, the regular armv of India was sent to France in the early days and under conditions that were totally unsuited to it, performed deeds of fiery .valour which satisfied Britain that the soldiers from the great dependency . were worthy of her. The rigorous-winter of Europe, and the long -monotony of trench warfare were totally unauited-to the Indian temperament. and they were moved back to the. Middle East, where in Palestine and in .Mesopotamia they shared in the victories over the Turk, and latterly wero sent to Russia, to take part in the campaign against the disorderly elements there. Newfoundland was represented by a regiment in France, and other parts of the Empire wero represented bv unit 3 in keeping with their size. It is not. necessary at this- stage -co tell over the deeds that are familiar to people.of this part of the world, but the .whole story’ is one of which the Empire can be proud. The South African Union fought a campaign in SouthWest Africa and played a big part in the East African campaign, while the Australians and New Zealanders had the Anzac battles at the Dardanelles to themselves. The Canadians as thoir first battle record in the war have the terrible light at St Ypres in 1914, when the Germans first used poison gas. Their light at St Julien remains still one of the heroic episodes of the war in Europe. After, the Gallipoli campaign was ended the main* bodies of the Australians ahd New Zealanders were moved to France, and beginning with great achievements in the battles of the Somme in 1916, they went on adding lustre to their records until m the last offensive this year they were numbered amongst the finest of the troops in the fight. Such a reputation amongst the Sighting forces under Foch was not easily earned, and it is that fact that tnjikes their positjon in the army so worthy.