The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-19
Special Correspondence 10 THn srS.

special correspondence 10 TIL Sun.
LONDON, Aug. 5.-No public utterance
by a Government official since the be-
found AN impression as the speech de-
livered last night at the London Opera
House by Mr.. Balfour at the great rally
held in celebration OF the first anniver-
sary of the declaration OF war by Great
Britain. Thousands had gathered within
the walls OF the great building. while
thousands Of others outside were I'M
able to secure admission. But the wild
cheering within soon reached the good
natured crowd outside and all joined
in an ~outburst Of popular enthusiasm the
like OF which has rarely been seen.
Mr.. Balfour gave his great audience
lust what IL wanted. He told of the
mighty effort already accomplished by
Great Britain and OF the far greater
work to follow. He dwelt upon the
greatness of the British navy, TO WHICH,
he said. the world will owe its freedom
Following are some Of the points
scored by Mr.. Balfour, excerpts from
whose speech rave already been caoied
to THE SUN:
Germany's Mistakes.
I'VE can say that with all their pains
taking ability, and no ability was more
painstaking than that OF our enemies
there Is no miscalculation In this war
which they nave not made except re-
earains the value OF munitions and or
great guns. There they were right
more right than their opponents,
Have they been right In anything
else?
.Everything was based. remember. on
,,. immediate knockout blow which
they we're prepared to deal against 'ne
relatively %unequipped forces of an un-
nrena red enemy. l do not say the cal
cu,ation was a stupid calculation. and
! 40 not say tina with a little variation
I, certain circumstances II might NOT
have been accomplished. All ! say Is
thar II was not accomplished IL was
not nearly accomplished.
..On the west front. as on the east
front. on the east front as on the west
front. all the carefully prepared plans,
all the prophecies so deliberately worked
on, by the German General stan nave
one and all completely failed
..rhat is my first ground OF confidence.
A enemy which has miscalculated for
a year may perhaps miscalculate until
mo end Of the war. ] think II will.
INV second ground Of confidence is In
tho Auiea. A war carried on by sepa-
rate states, by different Governments.
wIdely divided by seas and continents. If
"a war which was carried on under In
herent and inevitable difficulties, and
the only thing which can overcome those
dIrculties is mutual confidence, mutual
trust, mutual BELIEF.
~ do not think It necessary to speak
at large upon those who are waging with
MS tbs great contest, Serbia. whose gal
lantry will remain on the historic page
and which is almost a unique instance of
what a small nation can do against over
wheImIng odds Belgium. whose pathetic
fate and whose indomitable heroism
tays illumined the tragedy OF this war:
Rance. whose feats OF arms at this mo-
nent nave moved the praise and the as
to~nIshment even OF those who knew
France best and who hoped most from
her.
French spirit Undimmed.
And OF all Inc berUlsH mlscdIculd-
,ions was there a worse one than this?
Did they not suppose that in the I'M
happy war OF 1870 they had dealt a blow
to their enemy which would chill that
military enthusiasm which has carried
the French to 20 many glorious victories
in the past? Did they not suppose that
that elan OF the French soldier would be
somew what dimmed, somewhat checked
by the memory Of defeats Of which the
present generation had not lost the per-
sonal memory?
"Thcy did think 80, but they were
completely wrong In that. as In 40 many
other things, Never In It's great and
most glorious days has the French army
shown more of those great qualities of
heroism and dash and power OF attack,
and power when necessary OF resistance
of attack. thar 1t has shown In the last
twelve months.
And Russia. What shall I say of
Russia? | know no spectacle more
moving than that presented by this con-
test tween man and munitions now go
ing on In the east Of Europe. Was there