Penistone, Stocksbridge and Hoyland Express, etc. — 1915-07-10 (Penistone, South Yorkshire, England)

HAMILTON'S EPIC.  Since the war began there have been three stories of great deeds which, above all others, have stirred British 2 hearts and quickened British pulses all over the world. The first was lrrins description of the first defence of Ypres by the Seventh Division; the second was the Canadian " Eve-witnetai's" story of the glorious stand of the troops of the Dominion at St. Julien, and the third and greatest of the trinity is Sir lan Hamilton's wonderful narrative of the Dardanelles enterprise. As one reads this masterly story of desperate valour one realises that the splendid old traditions oi human courage which are our proud inheritance have been kept bright an 4 untarnished after all. Who says that we are a decadent race; that the spirit of long-dead heroes does not live in the youth and chivalry of Britain to-day We read with melancholy pride of company after company landing upon beaches swept continuously with beilish fire, of battalions in process of decimation ordering themselves as if on parade, of men laying down their lives in hundreds that their comrades following fast behind might maintain a footing on the soil gained with their sacrificial blood. It is alone not the sacrifice. heavy though that be. but the manner in which it was offered, which so profoundly impresses the world today. The landing of our Mediterranean Force is truly an unrivalled feat of British arms. It will take rank with the most illustnout pages of the world's military histors• Sir lan Hamilton. inspired by the nobility of his theme, has given us a despatch which is thrilling and vitalising to a degree. It was written on Ma; 22nd, and published forty-five days later. We do not pretend to hazard an explanation of the unconscionable delay in giving to the world a story redounding to the eternal credit of British arms. The country is heartened and galvanised into fresh effort by such tidings of wholesale British heroism, and it would have been better for the country if it had been told of all this earlier. Sir lan Hamilton, in his description of the difficulties to be encountered and the strategy employed is brilliantly explanatory. He helps us to understand why the Allied Governments were at first repelled by an enterprise that offered so gloomy and forbidding a prospect, and attempted to reconcile wisdom with humanity by launching a purely naval attack. At the same time, with a full appreciation of the cruel difficulties of the positions, the hold enterprise which was ultimately carried out would dolibtlese I have won more rapid success at less icost had the Turks not unfortunately been given such warning as enabled them to dispose and strengthen the defences of the Peninsula with positively murderous effect. Machine-guns, barbed wire, pitfalls, snares and mines, nothing could overcome the spirit which made that stupendous landing possible., but all those things combined to pile up the cost against the invaders. We do not wince at the cost, but we :regret and mourn the gallant fellows who died with scarcely a shadow of a :chance of their lives. With the landing actually achieved and secured, however, the Dardanelles were half won. The initial step was frightfully perilous . and difficult. The rest of the way will I be traversed with patience and endurance. It is now certain that the ex:  pedition will he (tarried to a sueress:  e.onclusion. It must he. It is not Out way to sacrifice our best and our bravest on the altar of futility. If the capture of the Straits was not of decisive importance, with a vital influence upon the course of the war, we should still press forward for the prize that has been so dearly bought. There is matter in this magnificent story of the landings on Gallipoli for pride and for mourning; and also for renewed hope and confidence.