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The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848-1954) (about)
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Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1524434
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TUESDAY, JUNE IS, ISIS.
Never did new troops' receive a move terrible baptism oC lire tlinn the Aus- tralians faced and out-faced at Galli- poli. Jinny were wounded before tbey lett the landing boats, others be- fore tbey bad struggled through tbe water to the sbore. Ero tbey lind climbed the ellffs and fought tlielr way n mile inland nearly all tbe officers were down. It was an ordeal which might we'll bave daunted the most hardened veterans. But Australia lins no liouic and "Bull linn" to apologise for. The fact that the rank and filo bad never been subjected to a long training and severe discipline was an actual advantage in tills Uielr first war- like enterprise. Continuous work In Egypt bad hardened tbeir muscles and rendered them physically perfect, and for (he rest tlielr Australian life on stations and farms, in mines, and at public schools had supplied the
source, initiative, and self-reliance necessary to bring them triumphantly through when so many officers fell. The German system of terrorism is applied to its own army
well as to non-combatants in enemies' territory. It makes tJie soldier a mere machine, which goes forward when or- dered, but stops in a puzzled bewilder- ment, or stupled inertia, ns soon as orders cease to be delivered and per- sonal thought and decision aro re- quired. Deprived of their gallant officers, the Australians hastily sorted themselves into groups, without any regard to nicety of formation, and went forward, taking cover wherever pos- sible, as they had been taught, but in- tent on fulfilling the purpose of their attack, which was to roach and defeat the enemy, clear the way for support- ing forces, and entrench and secure the ground they had gained.
So It enme about that these young- sters performed a feat of arms worthy to rank for valour and dash with the famous on=et of the Light Brigade, hut surpassing that magnificent blunder, because moans were well adapted to end-, nod, eieopt
ing in a few lns_»w$i of too great
Impetuosity, the ground so bruvoly won wns tenaciously retained. The spirit in which our troops undertook and cur- ried . through their splendid adventure Is portrayed in the many, graphic letters which are now coining to hand from tlie wounded in the hos- pitals, lind Australia been made aware that tile casualties
those first few days of fighting amounted to between four and five thousand the shock would have been a heavy one to bear. But, necessarily, in such circumstances, it was long before the startling account could be made up. One soldier, writing to lils home in Sydney, tells of a charge by hundreds of Turks on a trench occupied by sixty men. " They were so crowded Unit tlie "rear ones 'could neither fire nor ad " vanee, and we heaped them up like "rabbits In front of our trench. But " they got all but one of us ! It was "pitiful to see the brave chaps falling . one after another, till there were only " four left standing. Two fell imine " dlately after, and I was congratu " latlng myself on being one of only two " to escape unhurt, when ti shell got " me on both hands and on the shoul " der. For twenty minutes there was " only -one nran on his feet, and then "reinforcements arrived; but wo luid
| " done our duty, held our position, and
" driven, ' off all attacks." Breeding tells, .and these men, who come of a dauntless race of fighters, aro not ap- palled or oven disenchanted by their experiences. Transported from n land which has never been even menaced by war, Into the midst of the most deadly war of all time, the one desire of all the wounded'is to recover quickly and get back into the fighting line. One 'who Is wounded with both bullet and shrapnel writes:-"I was never
" happy in my life: My only regret is " that it will bo a fortnight or more " before I can get back and into it " again." The only fear of another is that he may be deemed incapable of further fighting, and lie resents the prospect as an injustice. ""I can still " nse a rifle," he says, "but I would go " back to Turkey and light the Turks "with my pocket full of stones."
Every Australian heart must thrill with pride and satisfaction at the glori- ous record which our soldiers have so promptly and so indelibly written for themselves on the pages of history, and at their eagerness to expose themselves once more to bullets and shrapnel In the service of their country. But are they to be left alone to follow the im- pulses of their loyal and brave hearts? Are they to pass from the field to the hospital, and from the hospital to the field again, until perhaps at last the fatal moment arrives-arc they to face anew the dangers of battle without stirring those who have not yet enlisted to a sense of their duty? Many of the letters tell of the talk which goes on In the trenches, whilst bullets are whistling close overhead and shells are shriek- ing and bursting; and it is towards home that the thoughts of the men turn. "What are they tbink "Ing of us at home?" is the question that goes from one to an- other, and no doubt the young hearts swell at the assurance that they are doing credit to their native land. But thoughts not so kindly find very plain expression about some of those who are not with them. One writes:-"I " was looking at a weekly paper from "Australia. It looked very nice to "see fine, big, good-for-nothing loafers " lounging about yapping to girls in "bunches. Just oue half-hour aftcr " wards I was fighting for my life as "hard as any soldier ever fonght," These men have earned the right to criticise the* stay-at-homes, and they do. They do not envy tile shirkers tbelr safety and llioir plensures. Rather they despise and pity them for missing a supremely great experience. "War is a great game," writes one cheerful carrier of a Turkish bullet, "I "wouldn't have missed our 'scrap' for " all the tea in China. My great dc " sire is to be at it again, doing my bl£> "to assist old England. Tell Bill and "Harry to enlist. They will be sorry "all the days of their lives If they "don't." Are these light-hearted, dauntless, heroic fighters for their coun- try to bo loft alone to fight nnd.to die, or are they to be supported by thou- sands and tens of tbonsands of admir- ing and envions emulators?
The Minister for Defence (Senator Tearce) lias been at great pains to ex- plain why it is that his efforts to begin the making of certain quick-firing guns and ammunition in Australia have so far produced no result. This is really all it amounts to; It Is "an infinite deal " of nothing." >To one questions that Senator retiree Is an industrious and methodical Minister. Apparently every- thing bearing on tbc working of his de- partment can lie found in mosl excellent order-in the oflico pigeonholes. Give hint and lils officials reasonable time, and they will furnish a full, coherent, nicely rounded explanation of almost everything that comes into question. The mischief is that it is so often an explana- tion of why something has not been
done.
We shall not wound Senator Pcarco's susceptibilities by suggesting that any other Australian politician now living would have done better than he has, but we may venture to compare his perform- ance in this matter of munitions with what would most certainly have been effected had a man like the late Mr. Seddon or the late Sir Thomas Bent been faced by nn emergency like the present. Would cither of these hnve been found at the end of ten and a hull' months of war setting out in elaborate detail the difficulties with which they had been confronted? No one fnnillinr with Mr. Scddon's record or Sir Thomas Bent's could Imagine either of them sit- ting down and drawing up a paper de- fence for having done nothing. Having willed the end, ho would have set him- self with a passionate earnestness of conviction to devise tlie means. This thing, he would say, is necessary, vitally necessary, and It lins got to bo done.
Minister of tiwi type in power in a national crisis thinks of dtdlcultles as things to be overcome, not as things that can be allowed to frustrate tho national purpose. His department is galvanised into life, and knows that excuses for failure will not be tolernted. Mr. Seddon w11« n mun of immy faults of n im und method; but fnults exceeding lils in both gravity and number would lie gladly condoned in the Commonwealth Defence department to-rhry tf ft only showed something of the energy and
resolution, tile will to do, that consti- tuted the Seddon touch.
Seeing that the Defence department's actual accomplishment, is limited so painfully to wluil is easily practicable, the taxjiaycrs have at least a right to expect that what it does is done well and economically. But even this modest aspiration would seem to bo based on slender foundation if we are to judge by the exorbitant cost at which rifles are being made by the Lithgow Small Arms Factory. The rifles could und ought to be made for about half the price which manufacture at Lithgow involves, and there Is no reason to suppose that very much better value is being obtained in respect of the numerous other articles of military equipment now being pro- vided.
Experts in Greece-by which is meant persons who can gauge election results from the character of-progress returns ns they come to hand-express the view that the polling which took place on Sunday will result in a large majority for M. Venezelos, who until lately was Prime Minister. If this be correct, it seems extremely probable that we shall shortly liave Greece for au ally. We are not permitted to learn the secrets of kings, but it is not unlikely "that the recent change of Government and the holding of the general election were the outcome of King Constantine's desire to know the will of the people on the ques- tion of pence or war. In Italy a Minis- terial crisis preceded the declaration of war, and King Victor Emmanucl.who re- ferred the issue to Parliament, has now the roassuring.knowledge that the coun- try is heartily in accord with Signor Salandra's policy against Austria. The present Prime Minister of Greece has apparently found during his champaign that the war party is strong in the coun- try; hence his "rail-sitting" speech on Saturday, which was briefly mentioned lu a message published yesterday. The entry of Greece into the struggle would be of peculiar import to Australians, owing to her nearness to the Dar- danelles.
_L_
In seizing a consignment of meat be- longing to Mr. W. Angliss, M.L.C., the State Ministry has token a serious nction after, no doubt, serious considera- tion. The issues raised in this matter go far beyond ordinary commercial ethics. The good faith of the State, the interests of the Empire, and the credit and reputation of Mr. Angliss himself are involved. Everyone awaits Mr. Angllss's full reply, which, it is hoped, will prove that lils high business réputa- tion has not been compromised. The fact
wliich concerns the public is^that Sir.
Angliss is a member of Parliament, and, unless ho has some convincing answer to the charges implied in the Ministry's action, ho will no doubt feel called upon to consider his political position. In the meantime nobody would desire to pre- judge the case.
Tlic Lord Mayor is to bo commended for his action in displaying on the walls of the Town Hall the posters authorised by the War Office inviting men to join the colours. Tiley are eloquent In tlieir appeal, and, displayed as tbey arc? in the heart of the city, they should awaken in the breasts of the young men who pass by a sense of their duty to the Empire. And the call to the women is even more stirring, albeit á little pathetic. "Some .of your menfolk are " hanging back," says one of thom, and the appeal is made to tile womenfolk to make sacrifice for tljeir country. This, perhaps. Is the hardest of all duties, and it is a pity that while wc enthu- siastically praise our men for their gal- lantry at the Dardanelles, the story of tho silent, undemonstrative heroism of our women will not be recorded In any history of the war. What greater sac- rifice can be made than that of the widow who has given, with a bursting heart, bor only son? Yet thousands have done it. When women aro so brnve, why do our young men dally?
The toll that war is taking of our bravest and best is strikingly shown jn the death of Captain E. F. K. Rage. Here was a young man who Itefore the war had enshrined lils name in Hie book of Australian heroes. During the two and a quarter years lie was awny with the Mawson Antarctic Expedition lie amply proa-ed the fine tem.ior of his courage and resolution. Ile was one of the choicest spirits of that gallant band, and at 2,"> years of age lind crowded a world of romantic achievement into his life. Yet imme- diately war broke out ho volunteered for service, and it was ns second in com- mand of the 3rd Field Company En- gineers thai he fell. Such n record denotes a man doubly n hero. Such a man simply could no1 keep out of the fighting when great things wore to be
done.
Some criticism lins been passed upon insurance societies for charging In- creased rates upon the policies of men who go to the front. This is unavoid- able. The societies aro conducted upon the mutual principle, and the tables of rates are calculated upon an actuarial basis. Every person Insured is a share- holder, and the payment of the amount for which lie Is insured is de- pendent upon the profits made on tile money contributed by nil the policy-holders. AU insurance tables arc drawn up with proper appreciation of risks, so that the funds may bo pru- dently conserved ; and if extraordinary risks wore rated ns ordinary risks the results to the societies wonld ho very serious That is because they ure mutual companies. At the same time, it does Soom to lie somewhat of n hardship that men who are ready to risk their lives In the war should have to pay largo- pre- miums. That Is a question which the Defence authorities might take into con- sideration. It is for the country's sake that the risk Is taken.
The suggestion made hy moro than one of our correspondents that use should bo mndo of military bunds for recruiting purposes has grout force in it There Is nothing Uko martial music for stirring tho emotions and kindling en- thusiasm, and only to» many of our young men need rousing. Early in the war a triimciir ran through the streets of Edinburgh with a bond playing vigorously mid a sergeant nppcnling to the bystanders to step on board and join tile army. Splendid results followed. Life, motiou, sound, energy are needed
(o wnUcu sluggish Imaginations Un flitislnsm begets enthusiasm The sight and sound of soldiers mai tiling through tile streets to the strains of a band «et the dullest heart bearing There is a general, if only momentary, desire to be one of the gallant force The music bv Itself will usually produce a sufficient Idea of the colour, noise, and verve of Ure splendid whole, and greater use should be made of it
A seizure ot meat that waa being shipped for the London market waa effected by the bta-te mtlioritics > cstcrday (Page 0 )
No fewer than 153 Australians arc re ported as "missing' in the 38th official list of casualties at the Dardanelles which was issued by the Defence department last evening (Page 4 )
Ernest Alfred Mathieson, a labourer, and «Tine Horencc Tucker, his married sister were killed on Sunday in Sydnev bj the woman's husband in pecidiarlv atrocious circumstances (Page 4 )
The kangaroo pest is becoming a inenice to graziers in some districts of Victoria Hie necessity of providing an adequate w ater supply on farms and other seasonable topics are dealt with m "Eural Interests " (Page 10 )
Clifford Nash wts sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment yesterdiy for having dnven a motor-car so rccUcsslj as to cause gncv OUB bodily harm to a boy named Donald I on 1er (Page 11 )
Officers of the Department of Home AfTiirs denj that tlie methodi bj which land ii acquired for Cqmmonweilth pur poses -ire unfair to owners (Page 11 )
Thrre were 311 applicants for enlistment at the Victoria Barrad s yesterday, 190 being accepted for service This is within (1 of the record number of recruits smco
the war began (Page ) '
The scheme of the Victorian Football As sociation for raising a patriotic fund waa keenly criticised At ii meeting of the Asso- ciation yesterday evening (Page 1)
Two Japanese ti-nning ships, Aso ind Soj a, arrived it Melbourne j esterdaj, and Rear Admiral Chisaka, w ho is in command, piid several oflicinl visits (Puge 4 )
Reference lo the assistance given bv nvinu facturers in the present crisis WIB made bv the president of the A ictonan Chamber of Manufacturéis (Mr U E Brookes) last evening (Page 8 )
When the Legislative Assembly resumes its sittings this afternoon the Premier (Sir Alexander Peacock) will move the second reading of the Greater Melbourne Bill The principal provisions of the measure have al readv been published m The Argus ' It is pioposed that at first a council of thirty representatives nhill be constituted for tile metropolitan arei with single elec- torates and a fianclusc of one ratepayer one vote Whilst authority ii intended to be given to tlie council to deal with such utilities im tnunwtys water supply, sewer agc lighting, markets abattoirs fire o\ tinction ind meat inspection it is under stood that at ita inception only tramways water supply ind sewerage will be man aged Hie proposal is to toke ov er the or gaiusation of the Metropolitan Boaid of Works, and wiüi the new h created Metro poll tan Council assume its functions and those of the management of tramwavs
Professoi V\ Bnldwin Spencer will lecture
Mafeic Among the VI c-riirines in tlie Fitzro. 1 oyvn Hull this ev enintr under ti e auspices of tlie I itzrov linnch of the \ \ A 11 c public is in
it«) tn ntten I
Mr D Smith H Uv yylll be the speaker at thi Temper-nice II ill Knut 11 street lo night nt S
t lockt$i
tollovriig are to dir s niietion »iles-I w St. lm ni 1 Son ni I Miller ind Clarke it ti eir rooms Tollu s Btreet furs it Bourke street
»tnunnt pi mt and bedroom furnishings I O ( rall mi it sydney road Coburg groceries &c
Coghill and II moiton at Scott crescent Canter bury household furnishings Campbell and Sons nt Kirks Bu/aar horses Sjdney t Tluynes ii d Co ind Day lee and C« st Ilaylec s rooms Collins street out of turn pledges W I Wells snd Son at their rooms Claren ion street South Mclboun e houseliol I furniture toltlung &c Oyycn at Ins rooms Chapi 1 street 1 on ehol I furniture v,c