AN IMPERISHABLE DATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17229, 4 August 1919, Page 4

AN IMPERISHABLE DATE.

; There are some dates that will 'never die. The fourth of August is one of these. No decision recorded in history is quite comparable with that made by Great Britain when she determined to draw the sword in vindication of Belgian neutrality. It was, in spite of all her enemies have said, a highly moral and .utterly . unselfish decision. Neutrality appeared easy, comfortable, and profitable. Intervention, even at that early stage, * appeared hazardous and doubtful. , The British nation was assuredly in no humour for war if war could be avoided. The German declaration against Russia only moved/British statesmen to more urgent efforts at mediation.* Even the threat against France moved them to no greater belligerency than to warn Germany against naval attack on the French coasts.. It -was the cruel, wanton, and almost-incredible violation of Belgium that starred Britain's soul to its depths, and that made all save an insignificant majority hot for 'war; and for" the punishment of the wrongdoers!. The s<une act decided the Dominions and made them one With Britain in the quarrel., ~ In the overseas portions of the Empire there, was- even less* inclination t than in Britain to interfere in European* disputes, and' there was even tardier recognition of thexreal motives of Germany. But there waa the same; sense of justice, the same /British. instinct 'for fan* play, and the same sympathy for the weak and offenceless. Thus it happened that the invasion of Belgium awakened precisely the same emotions in .Auckland and Sydney and Ottawa as in London, and united all parts Pi the Empire in a war none had sought. It is plain now. that Britain's life was at stake, and that .neutrality would have been an irretrievable blunder. But on August 4,;> 1914, these -considerations were neither weighed nor realised. ' The simple fact was that Germany had broken her pledges, and was Sampling on a weak neighbour Britain , gave battle for principles, and because she vindicated them we count the war well; fought, although it cost m blood : and treasure far more thaia the wisest could foresee in 1924.