MEMORABLE GATHERING AT THE GUILDHALL

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2248, 7 September 1914, Page 5

MEMORABLE GATHERING AT THE GUILDHALL

STIRRING SPEECHES BY POLITICAL- LEADERS BRITAIN'S SACRED TASK IN THE CAUSE OF ■ HUMANITY By Telegraph-Bicea issociaiiou-CopjiiEW (Rec. Septembor 6, 5.5 p.m.) ' _ London, September i. Oho or the most stirring meetings in the history of London was held at the Guildhall last evening, the Lord Mayor presiding. There was an immense audience, and enormous crowds congregated outside the building. The Prime Minister (Mr. Asquith), the Unionist Leader (Mr. Bonar Law), Mr. Winston Churchill (First Lord of the Admiralty), Mr. A. J. Halfour, and the Primate of England (Dr. Davidson) were present; and wore accorded ovations. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that Great Britain, with the Empire involved in war, had a clean ' conscience. If Britain had stood aloof while a small heroic nation's independence was being strangled, she would have been basely false to her plighted word; false to her friends and to her honour She would have helplessly witnessed countless outrages and buccaneering levies. The violation of Belgium was the first step toward crushing the independence of Holland and Switzerland. Finally she would have witnessed'the_ greatest crime against civilisation eince the Thirty Years' War —of the sacking of Louvain and the shameless holocaust of irreplaceable treatmres destroyed by barWriau vengeance. England would 'have''been wanting in her duty if, in defiance of her solemn obligations, she had not done her best to prevent and avenge these intoJerabloDutrages." GERMANY ALONE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WAR. Turning to the situation in Europe, Mr. Asquith said that the new and better relations with France and Russia had matured into settled confidence nnd goodwill, but at no time had'this understanding been directed against other Powers. When the Austrian ultimatum was delivered to Servia, Sir Edward Grey, pursuing the pacific policy adopted throughout the Balkan crisis, proposed a mediation conference. ■ If this had been accepted the whole of this terrible slaughter would have been avoided. Germany alone was responsible for the war, and its illimitable suffering. Germany, had been found to bo the origin of this world-wide catastrophe. Wo persevered to the end for peace, by every expedient of diplomacy, even straining our most, cherished friendships and obligations, and it' was only when we realised that our choice lay between honour and dishonour, treachery and good faith, that we decided for war.' Does anyone throughout the Empire regret that decision ? I belieyenot. I would rather seo Britain blotted from -the page of history than acquiesce in a triumph of force over freedom in Bolgium. We must steel ourselves to the task in the spirit our forefathers' struggled against Napoleon's dominion. It would be criminal to underestimate the magnitude of the forces against us, and equally indefensible to belittle our own resources. Belgium's glorious example has shown what a small State can do. i "In France and Russia," continued Mr. Asquith, "Britain has as allies two of the greatest Powers in the world, and has on the seaa the strongest and most magnificent fleet over seen. Our expeditionary- forco has shown by its glorious achierements that the physical and moral qualities of our troops have never been surpassed. Wo rely on, the Navy with absolute confidence to guard our shores and seal up the enemy's battleships in their own ports, whence they furtively steal out to sow those murderous snares that are menacing neutral shipping more than the British Fleet. The British ships have

hunted the German mercantile marine from the seas, and kept our food supplios open, and when the fow remaining enemy cruisers still at large are disposed of, British security will be as complete as in time of unbroken peaco. BRITAIN'S UNITED EMPIRE. Our self-governing Dominions throughout the Empire, without solicitation, have demonstrated with a spontaneous unanimity unparalleled in history their determination- to affirm their brotherhood with .us, end make out cause their own. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Newfoundland assert, not as an obligation, but as a- privilege, their right and willingness to contribute money and material, and, nettor than all, their strength, and einews, their fortunes, and the lives of their best men. India, also, lias claimed her share in the common task. Every class and creed in the British nation, priuco3 and people, Hindus and Mohammedans, vie with noblo rivalry. Wo welcome their association, side by side, shoulder to shoulder, with the Home and tho Dominions , troops under the flag which is tl>e symbol to all of the unity that a world in arms cannot dissover or dissolve. "Since Lord Kitchener issued a call for recruits, between 250,000 and 300,000 have responded, of which London alone has supplied 42,000. Wo are watching the fluctuations of fortune in the early stages of this protracted struggle, and must learn to take long views, and cultivate patience, endurance, and steadfastness. JLet us realise that wo are righting as a United Empire in. a cause worthy of tho liigftest traditions of our race, and maintain undefeated an unbroken front. The Younger Pitt, in this very hall, declared: 'England has saved herself by her exertion and will; I trust sno will save Europe by her example.' England in those days secured tho freedom of Europe. Let us go and do likewise."' INDELIBLE STAIN ON GERMAN HONOUR. Mr. Bonar Law, the Unionist Leader, said that this war was one of the greatest crimes in history. Britain had no share in the responsibility. The Kaiser had drawn the sword, and his accursed system must perish by the sword. The destruction of Lquvain fixed an indelible stain on German honour. The key of peace or war was in Berlin., Tho Kaiser need only to have whispered peace, and there would have been no war, but he drew the sword, and we wero now fighting for our national existence, and for. tho moral forces of humanity, for right against.. might. . ■ . , Mr. Winston Churchill'(First Lord of the Admiralty) said: "Britain can rely with quiet confidence on the strength and efficiency of the Navy, which gives us the time and means to create the powerful military forces which will be necessary before the' war is ended. Wo have only to endure to conquer." , . The meeting passed a resolution to support all measures for the prosecuting of the war to a victorious conclusion.