ROYAL BROADCAST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 August 1941, Page 6

ROYAL BROADCAST

QUEEN SPEAKS TO AMERICAN PEOPLE Expression of Thanks for Many Kindnesses ASSURANCE OF BRITISH CONSTANCY "WE FIGHT IN A GREAT CAUSE” (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 1.15 p.m.) RUGBY, August 10. Her Majesty the Queen, broadcasting’ from Buckingham Palace tonight to the American nation, said: “It is just over two years since I spoke to the American people. . My put pose then was to thank countless friends for many kindnesses, it is to those same friends and of even greater kindness that 1 want to speak today. We, like yourselves, love peace and have net devoted the years behind us to planning death and destruction. As yet, save in the valour of our people, we have not matched our enemies. It is only now that we are beginning to marshal around us, in their full strength, the devotion and resources of our great British family of nations, which will in the end, please God, assuredly prevail. Through these waiting months, a heavy burden is being borne by our people, and as I go amongst them I marvel at their unshakeable constancy. In many cities their homes lie in ruins as do so many of those ancient buildings which you know and love hardly less than us. “Women and children have been killed; even sufferers m hospitals have not been spared. Yet hardship has only steeled cur hearts and strengthened our resolution. V/herever I go, I see bright eyes and smiling faces, for though our road is stony and hard it is straight and we know we fight in a great cause. “It is not cur way, in dark days, to turn for support to ethers, but even had we been minded so to do, your instant help would have forestalled us. The warmth and sympathy of American generosity has touched beyond measure the hearts of all of us living and fighting in these islands. Unless you have seen, as I have seen, just how your gifts have been put to use, you cannot know the solace you have brought to men and women in Britain who are suffering and toiling in the cause of freedom. Here in Britain our women are working’ in factory and field, turning the lathe and gathering the harvest, for we must have food as well as munitions. Their courage is magnificent, their endurance is amazing. I have seen them in many different activities. They are serving in thousands with the Navy, Army and Air Force, driving heavy lorries, cooking, ciphering, typing—every one working cheerfully and bravely under all conditions. Many on the land are driving the plough and making a grand job of it. Others are air raid or ambulance drivers. Thousands of undaunted women quietly and calmly face the terrors of night bombings, bringing strength and courage to the people they protect. “Though I speak for all in Britain in thanking all you in America, I feel I Should like to send a special message of thanks to American women. It gives us strength to know that you have not been content to pass by on the other side. To us in this time of tribulation you have surely shown that compassion which has been the mark of the good neighbour for thousands of years. Believe me—and lam speaking for millions who know the bitter but also proud sorrow of war—we are grateful. We do not forget your sacrifices. Sympathy is inspiring. It springs not only .from our common speech and. traditions, but even more from our common ideals. To you tyranny is as hateful as to us. To you the things for which we will fight to the death are no less sacred, and to my mind your generosity is born of your conviction, of your high resolve, that however great the cost, however long the struggle, justice, freedom, human dignity and kindness shall not perish from the earth. I look to the day when we shall go forward, hand in hand, to build a better, kinder and happier world for our children. May God bless you all.”