The Daily News. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1916. THE KING'S SPEECH.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1916. THE KING'S SPEECH.

In normal time-; the King's Speech at the opening of Parliament more or less consists of perfunctory statements and platitudes, but the words which were U6ed at Tuesday's ceremony are exactly what the present crisis warrants. They should certainly inspire the people of the Empire with courage and confidence in facing the future developments of the war. At the same time there is a restrained dignity in the verbiage, and a lofty tone befitting the vastly improved conditions under which the Allies will soon enter upon the mofe serious stage ol hostilities. No words could better have expressed the altered circumstances than those which arc to be found in the opening paragraph of the Speech: "The spirit of my allies and my people, who are united in this conflict by everstrengthening ties of sympathy and un derstanding, remains steadfast in the resolution to secure reparation for the victims of unprovoked and unjustifiable outrage, and an effectual safeguard for all nations against the aggression of a Power which mistakes force for right, and expediency for honor." That is the true position as it exists from the Allies' point of view, expressed in language absolutely free from coloring, but in unquestionable good taste. How vastly different are these plain but convincing words from those which we have been accustomed to receive from the Kaiser and his Ministers, and it is because they so eloquently justify the cause of tne Allies and express the determination to provide an effectual remedy for the evils o: unbridled military lust that they will appeal with fourfold force to the civilised world, while even the barbaric Teutons must find in them a sure indication ol their inevitable doom. Xow that the Allies are united by sympathy and understanding, and that unity is cemented by co-operative action agreed upon in joint council, there are excellent reasons why King George and the peoples of the Empire should be filled with pride, courage, and confidence in the navy and army. Britain's weakness in the past has been in her military forces, but a Canadian Member of Parliament (Mr. Edniond Bristol), who is returning from a visit to England, stated in New York that Britain had one and a half million men in France, three million ready in Britain, and another million drilling—four million more men ready for the supreme effort in the coming spring. This is a marvellous achievement only to be equalled by the magnificent work of the Munitions Minister in overtaking the arrears of the necessary equipment. Well may the Empire and the Allies feel confident in victory, especially as MBriand's visit to Italy has resulted in the Triple Entente becoming a Quadruple Entente with practical executive machinery for co-ordinating the activities of tiic four Powers. flic Time*' Paris correspondent states it is now assured that complete military examinations of the situation will be made by the greatest commanders. This will enable the host possible use to be made of the various fortes of the Allies, as well as facilitating a general plan of operations having for its object the encircling of the enemy with an unbreakable band of steel that will be tightened until it lias completely crushed the Powers which have mistaken force for right, and expediency for honor.