Rebuilding Britain: A Survey of Problems of Reconstruction After the World WarHopkinson, Alfred, Sir
History
Rebuilding Britain: A Survey of Problems of Reconstruction After the World War
Hopkinson, Alfred, Sir
Reconstruction (1914-1939) -- Great Britain
Again the question will be asked, What will emerge from this struggle,
this untold bloodshed, these bitter losses and widespread destruction,
what will be the harvest that this "red rain" will make to grow, what
Church will spring from the blood of the martyred youth--a great
multitude which no man can number? Again we may answer, as after the war
half a century ago, so short in its duration, and so limited in its
extent as compared with the World War of to-day, "For the victors Union,
for the vanquished Regeneration." Who will the victors be? Rightly shall
we think first of our own land of Britain with all the dominions that
form the Empire built up by the labour and the valour of its sons and
called by its name, united now by the closer bonds of common efforts,
common sacrifices and common resolves, loyal to one throne, the symbol
of its unity, cherishing one record of heroic deeds, the example and the
inspiration for the generations to come; above all, as a country that is
"at unity with itself," free from intestine war of party against party,
creed against creed, and class against class.
But this War has not been a war of Empire against Empire, of Nation only
against Nation. It has been waged by the alliance of the people all over
the world who believe in justice, in a law which says, "Thou shalt not,
because thou hast the power and the will to thine own advantage, use
that power to dominate others and exercise that will regardless of their
rights." The victors will be all the Nations who are leagued together to
resist such a claim, and the union must be a union of all who joined in
the struggle with that common purpose, united when peace comes in the
prayer and the determination that there shall be war no more. Yet the
prospect opens for a union wider even than that. Those who took no part
in the conflict, some perhaps because the peril was too deadly, their
opportunity of defence too weak, may also join the League. Some, like
the Swiss, have served the cause of humanity by their generous reception
of sick and wounded. Some, like the Norwegians, have themselves suffered
cruel wrongs by the ruthlessness of our foes.
Lastly, we must look forward to the possibility of a real peace with
Germany, a readmission of Germany to the commonwealth of Nations, a
restoration in the future of friendly intercourse with the German
people.
Never again shall we of the older generation cross the German frontier
save in answer to some clear call of imperative duty. We should be
more--or perhaps less--than human to wish it. Day after day we have read
or our eyes have seen the reiterated and continued acts of infamy done
under the direction of those whom the majority of the German people not
only submit to as their rulers, but follow willingly as their guides.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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