New York Times Current History; The European War, Vol 2, No. 2, May, 1915: April-September, 1915Various
History
New York Times Current History; The European War, Vol 2, No. 2, May, 1915: April-September, 1915
Various
World War, 1914-1918
There Sir Robert was recommending no particular solution. A little
earlier in the same speech he illustrated the deep sense of all
experienced British statesmen that there never is or can be in the
British system any final solution of any grave problem, the vital
essence of the system being flux and change to suit ever-changing
circumstance.
In so far as this empire may be said to possess a
Constitution, it is of modern growth and is still in the stage
of development. One can hardly conceive that it will ever
distinctly emerge from that state or attain a status in
which constitutional development is no longer to be
anticipated. Indeed, the genius of the British people and all
our past history lead us to believe the contrary. The steps in
advance have been usually gradual and always practical; and
they have been taken on instinct rather than upon any
carefully considered theory.
[Illustration: YUAN SHIH-KAI
President of the Chinese Republic.
_(Photo by Rio V. De Sieux.)_]
[Illustration: PRINCE VON BUELOW
German Ambassador to Italy.]
Which was admonition at once of the Centralizationists and their
opponents, the Nationalists.
Whatever alteration of existing British inter-arrangements may come
after the war will be done on instinct in view of circumstances that
cannot now be foreseen. Wherefore clamorers for this or that, their
favorite scheme, are now inopportunists. Hence they are neglected by the
public as unimpressive, futile wasters of breath or ink. Indeed Canada,
Great Britain, the whole race of mankind are now swept on the crest of a
huge wave of Fate. When it casts them ashore, recedes, leaves men to
consider what may best be done for the future, then will have come the
time to rearrange political fabrics, if need be. Then Sir Robert Borden
will probably continue in his often clearly specified opinion that
Canada, if remaining liable as now to be drawn into Great Britain's more
perilous wars--a liability which must ever urge Canada to strong
participation in order that the peril may be the sooner ended--ought to
have a share in controlling Great Britain's foreign policy. Which
sharing Mr. Asquith declared last year impracticable, in that sense
inadmissible.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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