Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1915-12-23

NEW 1OHh, Lee. ll.--Sdudud anu
the other British dominions are as
firmly resolved as is the mother coun-
try that the European war shall not
be terminated by any inconclusive
peace, declared Sir Robert Laird
Borden, prime minister Of the Can
adian government, in an address at
the One hundred and tenth annual
dinner Of the New England Society
in New York.
1t was the first public address de-
livered by Sir Robert in the United
States since the beginning of the war
and 1t follows closely upon his visit
to England and France for official
conferences as to Canadian participa-
ton in the conflict After reviewing
his own intimate associations with
New England life and ideals, he out
lined the relaf ,ns of Canada to the
European war. He said:
Il do not pro, ose to argue or af-
firm the justice of our cause. The
great controlling facts have been
firmly established and they are
widely known. The Canadian people
are impressed with the most earnest
and intense conviction that our cause
is just and that it will prevail. I'm
doubtedly it concerns the powers, in
fluence and destiny of our empire.
But we are convinced beyond all ques-
tfon that this conflict is OF vastly
wider significance and that its de
termination must exercise a profound
Influence upon the worlds future
''All the lives sacrificed and all the
treasure expended in the struggle win
hQvn ham in voir, IL bIr,, y
still endure so intolerable restraint
added to the staggering burden which
the conflict will itself entail on the
warning nations. Such, however, will
be the result of an inconclusive peace.
The people of the British dominions
are animated by stern resolve that
there shall be no such outcome. 1t is
for the future peace of the world that
We fight to the end.
1T shall be to the honor of the
British race as long as this war is
remembered that the principle upon
which is founded the governance of
our empire bound together all it's far
flung dominions and all its people Of
varied and divergent race, language,
creed and ideal, by ties which proved
even stronger in war times than in
peace. 1t is founded upon the prin-
ctple of liberty and upon the theory
and practice of autonomous govern
ment applied wherever conditions
permit and to the most generous ex-
tent that experience can possibly
sanction. For this supreme reason
the empire is strong in the day Of
trial.
THE outbreak of the world war
found Great Britain utterly unpre.
pared for military operations upon the
tremendous scale which has been
found necessary. Communication be-
tween our scattered possessions is es-
sential to their unity and continued
national existence. Thus the fight.
ing power of the empire is concen-
trated almost wholly in the navy
Apart from every other considera
tion the absolute lack of ADEQUATE
military preparation for this war
speaks for itself and unswervably
proclaims that the dominions which
owe allegiance to the British crown
earnestly desired to avoid war.
Such indeed is the ideal of the
Canadian nation: but in common
with all the empire this spirit of all
the people when tested proved
worthy of their highest traditions
Within six weeks after the outbreak
Of war force of nearly $4,000 men
was assembled, thoroughly armed
equipped and organized in every
branch Of military service. Its jour
ney across the Atlantic in a great
Armada of steamships began on DC.
tober q, 1914. Nearly 100000 Can
adian soldiers have since gone over
seas and during the past 10 months
they have poured across the ocean
at the rate of more than 1000 per
week. Our authorized force is now
100000 and more than 100000 already
are under arms.
HAS our national spirit been ade.
Quatelv responsive to the nations
needs? For courage and devotion |
point to the Canadians at Ypres, at
Festubert, at Givenchy. For self.
sacrifice. see the women yielding
their dearest at the country's call
consecrating their lives to all mis-.
sions Of mercy. For the bountiful
generosity of our people l need but
mention $6.0O0,OOO for the patriotic
fund; $2.00O.O0O for the British Red
Cross society; $3,500,00O for our own
Red Cross and kindred societies
more than $2.00O.0O0 for the starving
End destitute in Belgium; at least