Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1916. TWO YEARS OF WAR.

Nelson Evening Mail, 4 August 1916, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1916. TWO YEARS OF WAR.

IN the two years that have elapsed since Britain unsheathed the sword, the greatest and fiercest war the world 'has ever seen has been waged, with unremitting effort. Into the causes of the conflict it is not our purpose to enter. The Prussian dream of world dominion and the brutal methods by which it has been sought, to achieve this end are fresh in the memory. Rather, it is our endeavour to trace, however imperfectly, the curve of events during- the two years and observe the direction in which it is now pointing. [Blocked- from jacking the fruits of preparedness by the sublime heroism of Belgium, Germany nevertheless gained immense initial -advantages which she has held almost to this day. But it wa& a- colossal mistake that Germany made in attacking France first. This necessitated, as the construction of strategic railways clearly showed it would, an advance through Belgium in order that her armies might have greater possibilities of success before them. But picture for a moment- what might have happened had Germany first devoted her attention to Russia. Remember those anxious days when one wondered -whether British intervention would come too late. If Belgium had: not been invaded, would not 'there have been danger of a split among the British people regarding intervention? How eagerly would the. pacifist have exaggerated all the Russian bogeys of the past, and with the then apathy of the people regarding international affairs, the 'British Government might easily have -considered that intervention at that juncture would not have been wise, however much it may have believed it to be- advisable. On the other hand, if intervention had been decided upon, there may have been a split in the people with the consequent paralysing of the national effort. Even delay for a few weeks might have chaug--1 ed the whole current of the war, for in that time the Germany Navy would at least have hadi time to liberate, large raiding cruisers or reduce* the naval power of our Allies. Those people who seize -upon and magnify British blunders would do well to realize that the enemy, despite his remarkable cleverness in minor details, has blundered almost- bevond comprehension in matters that ultimately must count decisively. But Germany's material preparedness gave her an advantage which she held up to a month or two' ago. The. first year of war ended with the Germans in full possession of military superiority. 'Slit fought where she desired to light, and •the Allies had simply, to do what they could to hold their enemies. Strange as it mav seem., the second' year of war has been essentially one of preparation. At first the people as a- whole did no; realize the meaning of Lord' Kitchener'; remarks concerning a three-years war The wave of senseless optimism thai swept over the people after the German set-back at the Marne paralysed to sonn extent the efforts- of the nation in it* work of preparation for war-winning. But in the second year of war th-. colossal: nature- of the struggle has beer more fully realised, and greater deter urination and more intelligence have beeshown by the Empire. Then, too, th great lactones which were in course o; erection in the first year have come int< play, and- Britain's output of munition, has been enormously increased. Alon-j; witih the efforts of the factories there has also been the building up of a.n armv on Continental numbers. Further, the second year of war proved that Hnssic could not be beaten, and with replenished supplies the Czar's millions are pressing the Germans on the whole length oi the eastern front. On the i\ 0.-tern front "Britain's new armies are only just beginning to make their influence felt, but already Germanyi's military superiority has vanished'. Thus we see the second year of the war ending with the initiative having passed definitt'.y out of German possession. We see the Allied hands upon the screw with the power behind them to turn it -until victory is theirs. Germany,, will fight desperately to avoid sweeping defeat, but she cannot -win>. Her time to achieve definite results was before the. Allies could 'summon their vastly superior resources totheir aid. This opportunity has passed*

l>y. and will never retir-n. The way. may be lonu; and the task arduous, but. victory is within our reach, and the determination of the race, together with, the stern resolve of our Allies, hardened' by :. lie latest manifestations of -Gorman frightfulness, will bring a peace that will secure the liberty of Europe and. of the world for at least several generations to come.