The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1917. A NATION NEARLY SPENT

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13474, 3 May 1917, Page 4

The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1917. A NATION NEARLY SPENT

It was stated at a comparatively early stage of the war that before peace was declared Britain would be called upon to bear the heavy end of the burden in a threefold sense—naval, military, and financial. The prediction was hardly regarded as serious, for it was never imagined that the struggle would continue for three years, and neither was it thought that the resources of the Allied Powers in men and money would be strained to the utmost. With Britain, France and Russia associated it was generally felt that a combination existed that could outlive all possible combinations of foes, and that the only possible end was the complete smashing of the Central Powers which had unleashed the dogs of war, while Britain and her allies would emerge from the struggle somewhat Rinded" perhaps, but by no means Mhausted. It was, therefore, disconcerting to read a cablegram from New York yesterday to the effect that France is urgently appealing to America to send 20,000 men a month to the Western front as hastily as possible, and is making no secret of the fact that she is almost spent. The news will be received with feelings of sympathy and pity, for 6he has put up a glorious struggle. In the early stages of the war she had to bear almost the full brunt of the battle. She was called upon to maintain nearly the whole line, and right well and heroically she did so. For many weary months French bayonets kept the barbarian at bay. Frenchmen sturdily fought and sullenly died to maintain the cause of the Allies and to save France. The struggle at Verdun will ever tell how. They were forced back truly, but they were undaunted and never broken. They died, but they were not beaten. They levied heavy toil upon their enemy until he was forced to give up the hopeless struggle and victory rested with the Tricolour after many months' fighting. But it was an exhausting struggle, and the French losses were heavy. British help was offered, but proudly though courteously declined. The French knew that Albion was preparing to carry her full share of the burden, and with characteristic chivalry determined to make all sacrifices in order that those preparations should not be hampered or hindered. She, however, paid a heavy price; her bravest and noblest sons died in their thousands for Liberty, Truth and Justice; and to-day she is nearly spent and feels the strain is becoming too much. Now she must realise what Britain's help has meant to her. Had she faced the Teuton alone her present plight must convince her that she would ere this have been even as Uolffium, Roumania and Serbia —crushed, broken and helpless at the feet of the Teuton. American help no doubt will be freely given, but armies have to be mobilised, trained and transported to France, and if these have to participate in the struggle it means that the war cannot end this year; therefore Britain will have to take up a greater part of the burden and bear the major part of the struggle from now on to the end. The state of Russia must have had a disturbing influence on the Allied plan of campaign, for it was generally expected that when the campaign opened in the West the Russians would strike in the north-east, but apparently tilings are in a quiescent state, and the idea of a simultaneous offensive has not been carried into effect. It is somewhat significant to read that the German Chancellor will submit a new peace offer to the Reichstag to-day. Possibly he thinks, that exhausted France and disturbed Russia will be inclined to listen to terms for a separate peace, for the German Com- j missioner whose interview was published yesterday indicated that Germany is ready to deal kindly with France and Belgium if she is given a free hand to prosecute tier designs against Britain. The attitude of France throughout the war is such as to inspire conli.iri.tv-uiul she will not listen to the voice of the charmer—her sense of gratitude to Britain is too deepseated. The peace kites so industriously sent up by Germany are also indicative that if the plight of France is bad, that of the common enemy is infinitely worse.