The Sun MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1914. A FIGHT TO A FINISH.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 182, 7 September 1914, Page 4

The Sun MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1914. A FIGHT TO A FINISH.

At this stage of the war, when the overwhelming. German forces- have steadily pushed the Allied Armies back across the French frontier to the gates of Paris, Mr Asquith's declaration that the situation everywhere gave abundant cause for pride and comfort, reveals by its suggestion a reassuring state of affairs that the censor's puzzles have persisted in-hiding. The English Prime Minister's speech at the' Guildhall will rank as one of the most restrained, yet most inspiring, messages that have ever been given to the peopje. In a time that calls for plain speaking, Mr Asquith, whose qualities of statesmanship were never more pronounced than now, has spoken in terms to be understood by all, England, lie pointed out, had assumed terrible responsibilities in all honour, and England was going to \ see the thing through to the end K cost what it may. It had been an easier matter for the Mother Country, once: Germany had made known her intention of precipitating a European war, to have winked at her responsibilities, but there was that "little scrap of paper" to consider, and the entente cprdiale to regard. Mr Asquith has told in memorable language the whole story of the negotiations which ended with Germany's determination to persist in her mad course. '' We have only to endure to conquer," said Mr Churchill, and that phrase aptly sums up the position so far as Britain is concerned. There can be no drawing back, no hesitancy at sacrifice now. The issue from being at first a Continental matter has developed into one which is fraught with concerii to the civilised world. But, fortunately enough for the world at large, and the Allies in particular, plucky little Belgium made possible, at an appalling cost to heraelf, the enduring resistance offered by the Allied forces to that overpowering attack that was to blot out the French Army in the beginning. That part of the plan of the German staff has failed utterly. It. is only after exhausting .struggles extending over days of slaughter that the invasion has gained any success —and that success so far has proved of a negative character in that the falling back of the allied armies fitted in with the general campaign idea decided on at the outset. The main German force, the centre, has' apparently not .made the progress anticipated. This centro is the hammer-head of the attack, and until it can the opposing centre the Allies can .claim to have achieved most of what they set out to accomplish. The London "Times," in an editorial slightly tinged with pessimism, looks for a protracted war. A protracted war is what the Kaiser does not hanker after. His plans made.provisiou for a short, sharp, aiid devastat-' ing campaign, which would enable the German forces to leave France humbled and crushed, and race back to the eastern frontier to invade Russia with the assistance of the Austrians. The boot is on the other foot. The allied forces are still,to be obliterated, France is yet to be conquered, while the Russians have taken the offensive to some purpose. . German merchantmen have been swept off the seas, the German fleet is penned up, and unable to leave the North Sea, while the Teuton's oversea possessions are lost, or as good as lost. This sums up in a general sense the results of the war to date, and justifies entirely the confidence of Mr Asquith and other British statesmen. Germany's task, self-imposed as it is, is one so tremendous that she cannot hope to succeed in it. And, when she fails to accomplish her fell purpose, when the cordon is creeping closer about her, she will find that little mercy will be shown her. She will emerge from this stupendous struggle baffled and broken, fan international plunderer stripped bare and utterly discomfited. It is, as Lord Rosebery truly said, a fight to a finish. For the sake of everybody and everything civilised, the power of the Ilohenzollern must be shattered beyond hope, of recovery. And, with all the might arrayed to this end, who can doubt but that Germany will ultimately be humiliated?