THE DEMOCRACIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24608, 16 May 1941, Page 7

THE DEMOCRACIES

TWO GREAT LEADERS KNOWLEDGE OF THE SEA AMBASSADOR'S TRIBUTE RUGBY, May 14. The American Ambassador, Mr J. G. Winant, addressing the English Speaking Union, said: "It is probably the crowning virtue of the English-speak-ing countries that they recognise and respect virtue wherever they find it. and are r.ot inclined to beguile themselves with the primitive and barbaric idea that they themselves have a monopoly of it. " That is the reason why to-day throughout Europe and throughout the world the common people of all races and all religions are hoping and praying, and, wherever given the chance, fighting for victory for Britain and for the English-speaking countries which rally to Britain's aid. "Only this week in London, m the early morning hours of the Sabbath Day, enemy bombs destroyed the House of Commons room of Parliament, and smashed the altar of Westminster Abbey. These two hits seemed to symbolise the objectives of the dictator and the pagan. Across the street from the wreckage of these two great historic buildings of State and Church the statue of Abraham Lincoln is still standing. As I looked at the bowed figure of the great emancipator and thought of his life I could not help but remember that he loved God. that he had defined and represented a democratic government, and that he hated slavery, and as an Americau I am proud that he was there in all that wreckage as the friend and sentinel of the gallant day that had gone by. and a reminder that in this great battle for freedom he awaited quietly for the support of those things for which he lived and died." Mr Winant added: "The freedomloving and peace-loving peoples of this earth are coming to realise that this is not Britain's fight alone When the clever and cunning dictators are striking with lightning speed at any and every free nation that dares to stand in their way the time has come for democratic nations to prove to the world that while they are free to debate they have the oower and will to act.

"On the wise use oJ the navies of the world may rest the destinies of the free peoples of the world. It is kindly of Providence that at this time' of stress and danger she has placed at the heads of the two great Englishspeaking peoples two men whose knowledge of the sea is probably greater than that of any statesman of any linre."