WAR ANNIVERSARY

Nelson Evening Mail, 7 August 1916, Page 5

WAR ANNIVERSARY

ROYAL MESSAGES TO ALLIED

RULERS

(Australian and N.Z. Cabls Association.)

LONDON, August 5. King George, an a message to the heads of the Allied"States., says : "I desire on the second' anniversary ot' the great* conflict in which mv country and her gallant Allies are engaged, to convey to you my resolution to prosecute the war until our united efforts have attained the objects for which we in common have taken up arms. I feel assured that you are in accord' with me iii the determination that the sacrifices which, our valiant troops have so nobly made shall ,not have been offered ira vain, and; that the liberties for which they are fighting shall be fully guaranteed and secured." Tho King;, in a message to King Albert. says-: "Upon the second! anniversary of the day on which my country took up arms •to resist the violation- of Belgium, I desire to assure your. Majesty of my confidence that the united efforts of the Allies will liberate Belgium from the oppression of her aggressors and restore her to full enjoyment of national and econ-

omic independence." Lord Derby presided- at a great Imperial patriotic meeting at Queen's Hall. Mr. Asquith and, Mr Bonar Law were the principal speakers. Sir Douglas Haig wired-: "Two years' desperate trench warfare has still further increased our comradeship, with the Allies, ant? made us inflexible in: our determination to carry, to victory a . \v.ar not of our choosing. .We.Jook forward with. confidence to success, arid, a, , triumphant peace.'.', , t Mr Asquith moved a resolution expressing- inflexible determination ,'to continue the war. tcv, a successful'end. He said that never in the, Germans' tangled' and 'bungled- web of diplomacy had there been an error so crude and; so.disastrously fatal to its authors as tlie idea we had lost both, our sense of honour and. our power to vindicate it-. The enemy were everywhere on- the defensive' andthere were signs of material weakening and exhaustion. The 'recrudescence ' ot deliberate and -calculated' barbarity. on the part of Germany wats dictatea., by desperation. The latest. 4trocitj.ea. biick-! enecli even tlie besmirched 1 annals of the German Army. Captain .Fryatt's murder had outraged the conscience of the civilised world. We, witli our Allies, were considering the most effective method of dealing with its authors and the nation condoning- and' applauding them. (Cheers). The final result of. our victory would be a- great partnership. Relations would be, confederatedin the joint' pursuit of a freer a.iid : 'fuller life for countless.millions.' ~ .

Mr Bohar Law said. the enemy had lost for ever the. advantages* .which their preparations for "war gave them. The toils wer& closing -ronnd them. It was, no good talking about the. latest "atrocity*.* They liadi to do something, A wild !beast was at Targe, and there was-only one thing to be done, and tliey could. do it. That was to shoot it.

Sir Thomas and- the AgentsGeneral were present.." message was,road. '' ' " ' -

REPLIES DECEIVED.

(Australian and N'.Z: Cable Association.)

(Rec. Aug. 7, 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 6. The King has" a-eeeived' replies from a message to. the Allies. •. r . < . The Emperor of'japan telegraphs,:— i ;• "Your 1 Majesty's (welcome message i on the second anniversary of. the. war,i touched me. verv* deeply. . After all. j the. >t;ria]s of 'the ' great defensive battles, ; the Allies' .indomitable armies, are ; npw ' forward steadily and' succesLsfully, on all fronts. I beg your Majesty to believe that I. am entirely in .accord with. your, strong determination to carry on' the "struggle; until 'the common cause for ri-srht and freedom is

fullv vindicated.-.'! .' ,.~ The Tsar .thanks, his Majesty for the message. " '- "I heartily reciprocate the resolu-tion-you make in confunction with our gailanff.'-AlUes.- I : ami cquaily determined that we in Russia sliall i -make good the sacrifices of-my bra-ve troops. The people have given]ust cause which-, will- bring reward we

seefc. 'determined . that, peace for wJiich. we are fighting shall be secured "by complete victory." King . Peter replies 'T;share to the . bottom of my liearfc your •Maiesty's [sentiments. I am Gratified with the new. testimony of Britain's ims'hakeable determinat tion to triumph- in the noble ( cause ; for. rwliicli .the-, valuable blood, of soldiers is pouring out. iti streamy."