THE WORLD'S PRESS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 170, 24 August 1914, Page 4

THE WORLD'S PRESS.

HAD BELGIUM BEEN PASSIVE. A passive Belgium would have suited German plans, provided that country could be used as a basis of attack against the other nations by which Belgian independence was guaranteed. And nothing more was asked than that Belgium should play the traitorous role. "An entente" was offered as a bribe, Germany undertaking to maintain Belgian integrity, after the war in return for the use of her territory as a medium for attacking France. That Belgium could be regarded as likely to entertain such an offer seems-incredible, yet Germany evidently made it in all seriousness —'' Daily Telegraph.'' GERMANY'S IDEA OF HONOUR. National honour; chivalry; treaty rights; the laws of nations! What are these to Germany? Nought but empty names. She is out to win if she can. In one act she has excluded civilisation from the practices of war, and lias reverted to the methods of the dark ages. She stands before humanity to-day selfproclaimed as a nation beggared in honour and bankrupt of a single'moral scruple. She will ruthlessly destroy and trample underfoot all who may be in her way. Might is the only right that she will recognise.—"Age." POLITICAL SUICIDE. It is always better for a Government to appeal to the country than, to resign as the result of a defeat, and the view that the Government should cut its losses at an early moment is openly expressed in many quarters, but it is doubtful whether such counsels will prevail. The past history of the Administration seems to show that it will lack the courage to commit suicide to save itself from slaughter. An appeal to the people whom 'it professes to trust is the last thing which the - Government desire;'.—"Evening News" (London). PREVENTION OF RAILWAY ACCIDENTS. We must look in another direction for the prevention of such railway accidents. The only other direction—which, of course, towards lessening our dependence upon the human element —has already been followed a considerable way. Automatic devices have greatly reduced the number of ways in which it is possible for a signalman to make a mistake, and probably Cannon Street Station is well enough equipped in this respect; but the driver gets 110 more aid now than ever he did —which is to say, none at all.-—" Manchester Guardian."