It was a just instinct which prompted the Times to
suggest that there should be a ceremonial recognition of Wednesday, October 31st, the anniversary of the critical day in the First Battle of Ypres. We have no doubt that this recognition will grow, and that in years to come October 31st, 1914, will be marked in letters of red as one of the sacred days in the history of the British Empire and of civilization. Already it is fair to say that the First Battle of Ypres was one of the decisive battles " of the world. In this battle about a hundred thousand British soldiers were opposed to an enormously superior German army bent on reaching Calais, capturing the ports, and occupying the whole of Northern France. Between Lille and the sea the Germans had massed about three-quarters of a million men. Of course, the Germans ought to have got through. In a sense it is a military discredit to them that they did not. But we must not press this point so far as to seem to diminish In the least degree the immortal glory -won by the British Army.
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