39TH REINFORCEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 55, 5 March 1918, Page 5

39TH REINFORCEMENTS

DEPARTURE OF NELSON-QUOTA

There was the usual large gathering at the Port this morning to witness the departure of the Nelson quota of the 59th Reinforcements for camp. The men were played to the steamer by the [National-. Reserve Band, and the assemblage was adressed from the •vessel by Mr T. A. H. Field, M.P. The Mayors of Nelson and Richmond (Messrs W. W. Snodgrase and W. E. Wilkes) were amongst those present. .Mr Field said that these great gatherings on the wharf to say good-bye to each reinforcement were "milestones in the local history of .the; war. Little they think-when they assembled on that wharf to say farewell to the Main Body that they would meet -thirty-three times to \ farewell reinforcements to that Main Body, and that the end of the war would not even then be in sight. Little did Germany think either when she committed the crime of the ages and let lose the dogs of war on an unsuspecting world that instead of the speedy triumph she promised herself that- she was entering on a long and more than doubtful war. The Allies had made mistakes, but Germany made the great blunder when she calculated on a swift and glorious triumph with huge indemnities within six months. Germany had won victories, but she had not conquered,, and she knew she could never conquer. The entrance of America into the war on the side of the Allies had made assurance doubly sure. But America knew the task before her, and she knew it would require all her resources in men and dollars to smash German autocracy and militarism. She ■was the young giant of the nations —the richest and most enterprising country in the world. When she declared war she seized the great German liners in her ports, amongst which was the Vater.land. 50,000 tons, the pride of Germany. But her crew had bored holes . in her cylinders and done all they could to disable the great ship. There was not a dock in America big enough to hold her. What was to be done ? The Americans towed her to the Panama Canal, put her in the Gatoun Lock—there was only three inches to spare—repaired her; re-named her the Leviathan, and hoisted the Stars and Stripes on the mightv ship. On her first voyage she carried to-France about 12,000 soldiers; on her second voyage about the same number ; and on her third voyage 3000 aeroplanes. Why was the United States in this war ? Amongst many reasons because she found that Germany had planned the invasion and conquest of the United States. Another reason was that she found Germany had sent huge sums of. money to America to foment strikes, ; class war, and Boloism, after 8010 the infamous traitor. Germany had made Boloism a science. France and America were stamping out Boloism—-hunting out the traitors who had been taking German money to do Germany's dirty work. In England they Tiad only - got as far as talking about stamping out Boloism, and in Australia - and. New Zealand we had not even got as far as talking about it yet. In this war on the one hand Germany and the Central Powers are fighting for the mastery of the world for autocracy and militarism. The AUies are fighting the battle of Democracy, of Liberty, of Right and Justice for the whole world. Liberty is a plant of slow growth, that requires - watering by the blood of the people. . License grows like a poisonous toadstool in a night and perishes as quickly. We have seen how license has betrayed Russia in her struggle for Liberty. In this great war for Liberty the men leaving that day are called to bear their part. On behalf of the people of Nelson city and district he wished good-bye, good luck, speed. Cheers were given for the men of the 39th Reinforcements, for the men m camp, and for the men at the'front-The-rprocedings concluded-With'-the • National Anthem, -. The names of *th e men who left tins morning are as. follows : T. E. Baigent. 5L ;W- Bossebnann. L. C Ohing. j I. A. Goodman. . . - - M. Groohy. L. M. Jamieson. G. L. H. H. -N. Schwass. J. -N. Thomas. A. R. Waghorn. H- C Wilson. S. J. Wright. W. J. H. Walker.