New York Times Current History: The European War from the Beginning to March 1915, Vol 1, No. 2: Who Began the War, and Why?Various
History
New York Times Current History: The European War from the Beginning to March 1915, Vol 1, No. 2: Who Began the War, and Why?
Various
World War, 1914-1918
But it is one of those products of German genius which, whether or not
it was intended exclusively for home consumption, [laughter,] has not, I
am happy to say, found a market abroad, and certainly not within the
boundaries of the British Empire. [Cheers.] We still believe here,
old-fashioned people as we are, in the sanctity of treaties, [cheers,]
that the weak have rights and that the strong have duties, that small
nationalities have every bit as good a title as large ones to life and
independence, and that freedom for its own sake is as well worth
fighting for today as it ever was in the past. [Cheers.] And we look
forward at the end of this war to a Europe in which these great and
simple and venerable truths will be recognized and safeguarded forever
against the recrudescence of the era of blood and iron. [Cheers.] Stated
in a few words that is the reason for our united front, the reason that
has brought our gallant Indian warriors to Marseilles, that is
extracting from our most distant dominions the best of their manhood,
and which in the course of two months has transformed the United Kingdom
into a vast recruiting ground. [Cheers.]
Greatest Emergency in Our History.
Now I have come here tonight not to talk but to do business. [Laughter
and cheers.] Before I sit down I want to say to you a few practical
words. We are confronted, as you all know and recognize, by the greatest
emergency in our history. Every part of the United Kingdom and every man
and every woman in every part of it is called upon to make his or her
contribution and to do his or her share, [cheers,] and our primary
business is to fill the ranks. There is, I find, in some quarters an
apprehension that the recruiting for the new army and the functions to
be assigned to that army when it is formed and trained may interfere
with or may in some way belittle or disparage the territorial force.
Believe me, no delusion could be more mischievous or more complete.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account