The Dominion. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1914. THE KING AND HIS PEOPLE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2252, 11 September 1914, Page 4

The Dominion. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1914. THE KING AND HIS PEOPLE

The Message from His Majesty the King to the Governments and peoples of his self-fiovernine Dominions, which was read by. His LlsNOl , ' the Governor on Wednesday evening, rightly interprets the attitude of every British community when it states that "the Overseas Dominions are as determined as the people of itho United Kingdom to prosecute a just oausq to a successful end". King Georg*. speaks as the representative head and tho centre of unity of the great family of nations of which the British Empire, is composed, and the Message sets forth tho position in such a simple, natural, and dignified manner that its words cannot fail to evoke an enthusiastic and sympathetic response in every British heart. His Majesty is in the fortunate position of being able to address an absolutely united Empire in this' supreme crisis of the nation's' .history. There is no need , for the King or his Ministers to go into any arguments to convince ' tho .British democracies of the Tightness of Britain's*attitude or in any way to justify their action in _ joining Franco and Russia in resisting Germany's attack on tho liberties of our Empire ; and; of; mankind. Tho whole British world is unanimously of opinion that tho Imperial Government took tho right course, and that the Empire would have been humiliated if any weaker or Jess honourable line of 'policy had been adopted. The personal not© running through tho Kino's Message, and tho manner in which His Majestv associates himself with his peoplo in this groat fight for , freedom makes it niore easy to understand the'significant fact that the British Monarchy has greatly -strengthened its hold upon the affections of the nation during the last three'reigDS. Respect for the Monarchy has steadily increased with the spread of democratic principles, and the happy relations of mutual trust and .confidence which havo existed between the Crown and the people since tho Accession of Queen Victoria have been one of the most striking features in modern constitutional history. • Me. Sidney Low tells us that Queen, Victoria's influence was of the utmost political valuo to.the British Empire. It weaned the people from "tho contemptuous toleration" which they had extended to the last preceding representatives of tho Hanoverian dynasty. "The 'personality of tho Queen was a real consolidating agency in the British Empire." Since the days of Queen Victoria the work of consolidation has been steadily carried on, and the Empire has been welded still more closely together. The King's Message shows how.well this work of unification has been done. In the present crisis he is able to point to the ungrudging manner in which the Overseas Dominions havo placed tho_ whole ot their resources at the disposal of the Imperial Government, and the magnificent offers of help from the Princes and people of India are in some respects even more remarkable. The first of tho overseas contingents to arrive in Europe comes from India, and it is accompanied by 6ome of tho most influential of His Majesty's Indian subjects. No wonder the House'of Commons was deeply moved when the-Message from the Viceroy was read describing tho loyal and enthusiastic manner in which , the Indian people have given their men and money to bo used against their Emperor's enemies. We are told that all the seven hundred Indian rulers have offered their, services. It is a convincing answor to thoso ill-wishers who may have hoped that Britain's great Asiatic ,' possession would causo trouble in the hour of danger. The resolute demand of our Indian troops to bo permitted to fight shoulder to shoulder with British soldiers against tho common enemy ma-y fairly bo rogardod as "a splendid tribute to the justice of Britishrulc. It shows that the vast majority of India's millions recognise that they are being well governed, and that their happiness and prosperity have greatly increased since their incorporation within the Empire. The best minds in India are probably well aware that they owe- tlieir peace and security to the English Raj, and that disaster would .inevitably follow if ever the firm controlling power of Britain should for any reason be withdrawn. As Lord Bryce has stated, India's _ political unity would vanish like «a morning mist. Wars of ambition, plunder, or religion might end in the ascendancy of a few adventurers; or perhaps the country, after an interval of chaos, might pass into the hands of some, other European Power. "To India severance from England would mean confusion, bloodshed, and pillage." The Indian contingent of 70,0b0 is a very impressive and practical proof that the Indian people are not unmindful .of the benefits which British rule has obr'erred upon them,' and their en-

thusiastic loyalty at tho present juncture- must be extremely gratifying to His' MAJESTYand the Imperial Government. Their action shows that they stand just as solid in will and deed as tho people of the selfgoverning Dominions, and their generous offers of help complete the demonstration of , the fundamental unity of tho Empire which has followed in tho wake of 'the declaration of war.