1 AUGUST 1914, Page 2

If the great struggle is to come no man can

predict its result, but at least we can feel in this country that we have done nothing to provoke the strife and that we shall be fight- ing in self-preservation and fighting with honour and honesty. We can also feel, though we do not care to dwell upon such a point, that so far as we are concerned the moment is favour- able. The Fleet actually mobilized is, we believe, capable of fulfilling all the requirements of the nation. It never was in better heart. The Army is sound and well equipped, if small. It is, indeed, not too much to say that for quality, both of officers and men, it is now the best in the world. The harvest, which is being reaped, is a very bountiful one, and thus if war comes it will find us with our food supplies at the maximum and not the minimum point. August is our high- water mark as June is our low-water mark.