KING’S BROADCAST

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 276, 4 September 1939, Page 6

KING’S BROADCAST

FORCED INTO CONFLICT. CHALLENGE TO WORLD FREEDOM “OUR CAUSE COMMITTED TO GOD” (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, September 3. Broadcasting to the nation this afternoon the King said: “For the second time in the lives of most of us we are at war. Over and over again we tried to find a peaceful way out of the differences between ourselves and those who are now our enemies, but it has been in vain. We have been forced into the conflict. “We are called, with our allies, to meet a challenge of a principle which, if it were to prevail, would be fatal to any civilised order in the world. It is a principle which permits a State, in selfish pursuit of power, to disregard its treaties and its solemn pledges, which sanctions the use of force or the threat of fores against the sovereignty and independence of other states. Such a principle, stripped of all disguise, is surely the mere primitive doctrine that might is right and if this principle were established throughout the world the freedom of our own country and of the, whole British Commonwealth of Nations would be in danger. But far more than this—the peoples of the world would be kept in the bondage of fear and all hopes of settled peace and of security of justice and liberty among nations would be ended. This is the ultimate issue which confronts us. “For the sake of all we ourselves hold dear and of world order and peace it is unthinkable that we should refuse to meet the challenge. Jt is to this high purpose that I now tail on my people at home and across the seas who will make our cause their own. We can only do the ri'-ght as we see the right and reverently commit our cause to God. Jf, one and all we keep resolutely faithful to it, ready for whatever service or sacrifice it may demand, then, with God's help, we shall prevail. May He bless and keep us all.” »