KING GEORGE SPEAKS TO EMPIRE PEOPLES

Auckland Star, 4 September 1939, Page 7

KING GEORGE SPEAKS TO EMPIRE PEOPLES

Most Grave And All Efforts For Peace Fateful Hour Have Failed

CHALLENGE TO CIVILISED WORLD

(British Official —Rec. 12 noon.) RUGBY, September 3. 1 broadcast, His Majesty the King said: "In this grave, perhaps the most fateful, hour in our history, sen o every household of my people, both at home and overseas, this message, spoken with the deepest feeling for every one of you. 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 a conflict. e .p re ca " our allies, to meet the challenge of a principle which, if it were to prevail, would be fatal to any civilised order in the world. It is the 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 force 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 the whole British Commonwealth of Nations, would be in danger. But far more than this—peoples of the world would be kept in the bondage of fear, and all hopes of settled peace, security, justice and liberty among nations, would be ended. This is the ultimate issue which confronts us. For the sake of all that we ourselves hold dear, and of world order and peace, it is unthinkable that we should refuse to meet the challenge. It is to this high purpose that I now call my people at home and across the seas, who will make our cause their own. We can only do right as we see right, and reverently commit our cause to God. "If, 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."