“I HATE WAR"

Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1928, Page 15

“I HATE WAR"

LORD ALLENBY’S POSITION. London, Dee. 14. Addressing officers and men of the 17th Battalion, London Regiment, Lord Allenby eaid: “I hate war. All those who have seen war must hate It. But we most not run away from the faet that if war comes we must be able to take up arms for the defence of the realm and King and country, as well as for our own dearest and nearest, so as to protect them if need arise. “Do not bo afraid of ridicule or criticism, or of toirrn told that you ar«

fostering the military spirit. The military spirit is not militarism, which is regarded as a horrid word because it is badly used, there is no provocation about holding what we have and defending what we hold most dear. “There are many centuries of experience and history behind us, and all go to show that a strong man armed keeps his house in peace. Although there is now a spirit of unity among the nations, and the League of Nations is trying to keep alight a tiny flame of hope for the future, and to encourage friendship among the nations, yet we can only be good friends to others by being able to take our part in any struggle that may arise. The strong man always has plenty of friends. The weak man finds them fade away.in war time ”

On this same subject of war General Sir G. F. Milne, Chief of the General Imperial Staff, at the Eccentric Club, said: “War is a terrible heartbreaking business, and it is good that statesmen are now trying to find a more rational and humane way of settling international difficulties and reconciling their conflicting ideals. But we must guard ourselves against the platitudes spoken with the accents of peace, which tend to obscure one of our first and foremost important duties, to make our Empire safe against external aggression. On that point w r e must be under no illusion. “Armies are not the symbol of a selfish and irrational thirst for power; they are the bulwarks of our, trade and, commerce, our national honour, our indenendence. and our common liberties.

The time may come (1 think it will come) when we shall have ample security at less cost than in the past. Meanwhile we must bear the burden, and our patriotism should enable us to do this more cheerfully than we sometimes do. I mean tho patriotism of reason, which enables every true citizen to identify himself with tho prosperity and security of his country, the patriotism which animates the members of this club, which will enable us to maintain our self-respect, to hold our place among the nations, to advance the highest interests of human humanity and ei' ilisation.