ENGLAND'S STRENGTH

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2460, 13 May 1915, Page 5

ENGLAND'S STRENGTH

MR. GALSWORTHY ON HIS COUNTRYMEN. 11l the "Am'sterdammer," a Dutch' paper, appears an article by Mr. John Galswortliv, with tho title "Diagnosis of tlio Englishman." Among his remarks, which are, of course, chiefly intended to explain the Englishman' to the foreigner, occur the following:— For the particular situation which tho Englishman has now to face ho is terribly well adapted. Because ho has so little imagination, so littlo power of expression, ho is saving nerve all the time. Because ho never goes 'to extremes, he is saving energy of hotly and spirit. That tho men of ail nations ar« about equally endowed with- courage and self-sacrifice 'lias been already shown; it is to other qualities that ouo must look for final victory in a war of exhaustion. The Englishman does hot look unto himself; he does not brood; he sees 'no further forward than is necessary; and he must have his joke. These arc fearful. and wonderful advantages.' Examine tho letters and diaries of the various combatants and you will see how far less imaginative and reflecting (though shrewd, practical, and humorous) the English ars than any others; you will gain, toe, a profound, a deadly conviction that- behind, them is a fibre like rul'bor, that .may be frayed and bent a- little tlii% way and that, but can neither be p«> meated nor broken. - When this war began .the English" man rubbed his eyes, stooped in peaci • ho iB still rubbing them just a little, but loss and less every day. A profound lover of peaco by habit and tradition, he has actually realised ,by no\j that he is in for it lip to tlio neck. To anyone who really knows him—e'est q-olqaa chose!