RINGING SPEECH BY GENERAL SMUTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3069, 3 May 1917, Page 5

RINGING SPEECH BY GENERAL SMUTS

THE WAR FOR FREEDOM'S CAUSE J MIGHTY CREATIVE FORCE FOR GOOD (Rcc, May 2, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 1. The Freedom of the City of London was conferred upon five Empire representatives—General Smuts (South Africa), Sir Edward Morris, Premier of Newfoundland, Sir James Meston, Governor of the United Provinces of' Agra and Oudli, tho Maharajah of Biltamr, and Sir- Satvendra. Prasanna. Sinha, member of the Viceroy's Council. General Smuts, in a speech, said: "Of tho white inhabitants of the Empire one-quarter lived beyond tlio seas, practically having no interest in tho struggles and feuds of old Europe. Yet we see what • they liavo done voluntarily. And why havo they made this magnificent effort? It was not to help the Mother Countrv but to help a causo wliich is as much theirs as hers —tho cause of freedom. AVo shall never understand the mightiness of tho effort of tho British Empire until wo recognise that this fight is not for more self-interest or moan small issues, but the greatest issue of all. It is because they all realise that the groatest fundamental interest, that of humanity, is at stake, that the old cause for which millions have in all ages sacrificed their all is once again in danger, that- you witness this spontaneous uprising not only among the nations of tho British Empire, but of the world. "Britain's critics before tho war said that tho country was corrupted by wealth, that wo had grown soft, and one day a test would find! us wanting. When the day of trial camo wo showed what free men could do in the greatest conflict of tho world. Britishers are the financial, moral, and, in a great sense, the military mainstay ' of tho whole alliance. The enemy calculated upon apathy, even disruption, among the free nations of tho commonwealth of the Empire, hut the Imperial free men came forward and did' their duty, not merely to help the Mother Country, but because they felt that when liberty was endangered in Europe _ll< endangered all the world.' America ioined in because this was a war of freedom aaainst slavery and military despotism." The end of tho war is approaching, but there are difficult, anxious, .and dangerous 'weeks and months ahead. Let us bo neither too elated by victory nor too depressed by ill-fortune. Greater forces are lightiiig for us than our annios. Tho Spirit of Freedom is on tho wing. A fjroat creative spirit is onco more moving among the nations in tlioir unspeakable ag<jnios. Let us gather inspiration from our cause, aml"xvhen the end comes endeavour to build up a hotter work? on the enduring foundations of liberty.