The Guildhall Speech.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 17, 7 September 1914, Page 3

The Guildhall Speech.

[Ukitid Peejss Association. ] London, September 5. -Mr Asquith, addressing a huge I crowd at the Guildhall, and turning to tho situation in Europe, said that the new and better relations with Eranco and Russia have matured into settled confidence and goodwill, but at no time had it been directed against other Powers. When the Austrian ultimatum was delivered to Servia, Sir Edward Grey was pursuing tho pacific policy adopted throughout the Balkan crisis. Ho proposed a mediating conference, and, had it boon accepted, the whole of this terrible slaughter would have boon avoided. Germany was alone responsible for the war and its illimitable suffering. Germany found the origin of this world-wide catastrophe.

iSr Asquith continued: “Wc persevered to tho end for peace by every ox - pod ion t of diplomacy, even straining

our most cherished friendships and obligations, and it was only when wo realised that the choice lay between. honor and dishonor, treachery and good faith, that we decided for

war. Does anyone throughout the Empire regret that decision? I believe not. I would rather sec Britain blotted from tho pages- of history than acquiesce in tho triumph of force over freedom in Belgium. Wo must steel ourselves to tho task in the spirit of our forefathers in their struggle against Napoleon’s dominion. It would be criminal to under-esti-mate tho magnitude of the forces against us and equally indefensible to belittle our resources.

“Belgium’s glorious example has shown what a small State can do. In Eranco and Russia, Great Britain has as Allies two of the greatest "Powers in tho world. She has on tho seas the strongest and most magnificent fleet that was ever seen. The expeditionary force has shown by its glorious achievements that its physical and moral qualities have never boon surpassed. Wo rely on the Navy with absolute confidence to guard our shores and seal ug the enemy’s battleships in her mvn p ol q s whence they furtiv e ',y steal, to sow their snares, menacing neutral Snipping more than the British licet. British ships have hunted tho Gorman mercantile marine from tho seas, and kept tho food supply routes open. When the few remaining cruisers still at largo have boon disposed of, the British security will be as complete as in a time of unbroken peace. “Our self-governing Dominions throughout the Empire, without solicitation, demonstrated with spontaneous unanimity unparalleled in history their determination to affirm brotherhood with ns, and to make our cause their own. Canada, Australia. Now Zealand, South Africa, and Newfoundland assert/not as an obligation hut .as a privilege, their right and willingness to contribute money, material, and, better than all, the strength,- sinews, fortunes, and lives of their best men. India also claimed her share of the cotpmon task. Every class and creed in the British nation, princes and people, Hindus and Mohamemdans, vie ip noble rival ry. Wo welcome their association sn’do by .side, shoulder to shoulder with tho Home Dominion’s troops under the flag, which is a symbol to all of an unity that a world in arms cannot

dissever or dissolve. “Since Lord Kitchener issued hi. call for recruits, between 2-50,000 and 300,000 bad responded, of which London had given’ 12,000. When wc are watching the fluctuations of fortune in the early stages of this protracted struggle, wo must learn to

take long views, gnd cultivate patience, endurance, and steadfastness. Let us realise that we are fighting as an united Empire in a. cause worthy of the highest traditions of our race, and maintain an undefeated and unbroken front. The Younger Pitt in that very hall had declared ‘.England has saved herself by her exertion, and will, I trust, save Europe by her example.’ The England of those days secured the freedom of Europe. Let us go and do likewise.” air Eonar Law said the key to poaci

or Avar was hi Berlin. The Kaiser need only have whispered “Peace,” and there would .have boon no war; hut ho drew the sword. Wo are fighting for our national existence, and the moral forces of humanity—for right against might. Mr'Churchill said; “Great Britain can rely ivitli quiet confidence on the I strength and efficiency of the Navy. \ which gave the time and means to 1 create the powerful military forces that would he necessary before the i war ended. Wo have only to endure ! to conquer.” I The meeting was one of jdio most | stirring in the city’s history. There j was an immense audience, and enormous crowds waited outside. Mr Asquith, Mr Bonar Law, Mr Churchill, and Mr Balfour and the Primate received ovations. The Lord j Mayor presided. j The mooting carried resolutions in ' support of all measures for proseeut- ] ing the war to a vigorous conclusion.