FINE MESSAGES FROM MESSRS LLOYD GEORGE AND ASQUITH.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 16949, 9 April 1917, Page 5

FINE MESSAGES FROM MESSRS LLOYD GEORGE AND ASQUITH.

(Aus. & N.z. Cable Assn. & Renter.)

Received April 8, 5.5 p.m

LONDON, April 6

The Prime Minister received the American press representatives and dictated, on behalf of the War Cabinet a message to tho American people as follows: —

! "America at one bound has become a world power in a sense she never was before. She waited until she found a cause- worthy of her traditions. The American people held back amtil fully convinced that the fight v/as not a sordid scrimmage l for power and possessions, but an unselfish struggle to-overthrow a sinister conspiracy against human liberty, and human right. Once that conviction was reached, the great Republic of the West leaped into the arena. She stands now side by side with European democracies who, bruised and bleeding after three years''grim conflict, are still fighting the. most savage foe that ever menaced the freedom of the world. The glowing phrases of the President's noble deliverance illumine the horizon and make clearer than ever the goal we are striving to reach. His words r'J"r<v sent the faith which inspires, and sustains our people in the tremendous sacrifices tney have made and are still making. They also believe that unity and peace of mankind can only rest upon democracy, upon the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own Government, upon respect for the rights and liberties and nations both great and small, and upon the universal dominion of public right. To all these, Prussian military autocracy is an implacable foe. The Imperial War Cabinet, representative of all the peoples and nations in the British Empire, wish me on their behalf to recognise the chivalry and courage which calls the people of the United States to dedicate their whole resources to the service of the greatest cause that ever engaged human endeavour."

Mr. Asquith addressed a message to the American He./says: There is not a man among m who flees not breathe more freely now he knows that the" whole English-speak--ing people are to fight as comrades side by side in the most momentous struggle in history. The people of the United States have been forced, as the United Kingdom was forced, into a| struggle which in neither case is our own. They, as we, realised that the choice lay" between peace with humiliation and war with honour. No middle course was possible. The Americans are now dedicating their lives and fortunes to the great purpose, ronscious that they are obeying one of those supreme calls which come rarely in history, but, when it comes, sounds in the ears of a community of free men with a note of imperious command.