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
You have only to create steadily week by week and month by month the
great military instrument of which I have been speaking to throw into
the scales a weight which must be decisive. There will be no
corresponding reserve of manhood upon which Germany can draw. There will
be no corresponding force of soldiers and of equipment and of war
material which can be brought into the line to face the forces which we
in this island and in this empire can undoubtedly create. That will turn
the scale. That will certainly decide the issue. Of course, if victory
comes sooner so much the better. [Cheers.] But let us not count on
fortune and good luck. [Cheers.] Let us assume at every point that
things will go much less well than we hope and wish. Let us make
arrangements which will override that. [Cheers.] We have it in our power
to make such arrangements, and it is only common prudence, aye, and
common humanity, to take steps which at any rate will fix some certain
term to this devastating struggle throughout the whole of the European
Continent.
Let me also say this. Let us concentrate all our warlike feeling upon
fighting the enemy in the field and creating a great military weapon to
carry out the purposes of the war. There is a certain class of person
who likes to work his warlike feelings off upon the unfortunate alien
enemy within our gates.
Fight Like Gentlemen.
Of course all necessary measures must be taken for the security of the
country and for the proper carrying out of military needs; but let us
always have this feeling in our heart that after the war is over people
shall not only admire our victory but they shall say they fought like
gentlemen. [Cheers.] The Romans had a motto--
_Parcere subjectis et debellare superbos._
Let that be the spirit in which we conduct this war. Let all those who
feel under the horrible provocations of the struggle their hearts
suffused with anger and with wrath--let them turn it into a practical
channel--going to the front or if circumstances prevent them, helping
others to go, keeping them maintained in the highest state of
efficiency, giving them the supplies and weapons which they require, and
looking after those they have left behind.
The Eloquence of Brutal Facts.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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