The sun., 1919-07-08
Defends Sir Arthur Currie.

Of those who for that duty put aside all
material considerations.
Defends Sir Arthur Currie.
"As Prime Minister. was brought into
very close and intimate relations with
| Sir Arthur Currie, especially during the
| early summer of 1918, when the for
| tunes of the Allies seemed at their low
| est, when we had reached that darkest
| hour which came before the dawn of vic
tory. There has been a whisper OF criti-
cism that he was not sufficiently mindful
or his duty to safeguard the lives of
those under his command. In my judy
ment no criticism could he more unjust
Indeed know that on more than one
occasion, and especially on one nota bio
occasion, he took a stand in defiance OF
military precedent stand which would
have been impossible except for his in
dependent position as Canadian Cen
ersl, a stand which involved risk to his
own status and reputation. That stand
| he took for one reason. and one reason
alone-his duty to avoid any needless
sacrifice OF the troops under his COM
mand No General at the front more
fully realized that solemn duty, and dur
ing the last eighteen months of the war
there was no General whose Judgment
was more respected. none whose ability
and thoroughness we're more relied upon
| than he who then commanded the Ca
madam troops.
There is one great essential IN the
development OF a citizen army into an
effective fighting organization. That es-
| sentlal is an adequate appreciation and
acceptance OF discipline. This lesson tho
Canadians learned very early in the war
and II served them always in good stead.
at will serve them in good stead dur
| ing the days OF peace. because in these
times of disquet and unrest the steady
| ing influence OF the men who held our
| line in Europe will be needed here in
Canada as much rs their valor and de-
votion were needed at the front. Their
responsibility liz commensurate with the
immense influence they can exercise
upon the national life and future destiny
Of their country. 1t is not only a col
lective but an individual responsibility OF
which no one OF them can divest himself
Big Opportunities Ahead.
"Yonder IN eastern Europe the clamor
OF war still resounds, but pray God that
we may now be approaching the day OF
perfect peace. The sacrifice that we
have made, the burdens that we are
called upon to bear, will have been OF
little purpose unless out of the war We
can read some lesson. gather some
example and establish some ideals
which will more truly serve the national
purpose. Compared with conditions In
Europe, opportunity stands at every
mans door in Canada. Compared with
the Intense racial animosties which
exist in some countries beyond the
ocean, our differences In Canada fade
into utter insignitiCance.
I'VE have wasted too much time upon
Nhav In ha act N laf
put them behind.
"There are voices which have been
hushed, but which for us shall never be
silent--the voices OF those who died
that the higher ideals of democracy and
civilization might live, Sixty thousand
Canadians. WHO have given their lives for
their country and for the worlds peace,
speak to us by their example, their de-
votion their sacrifice. They speak 10
US OF wider sympathy, OF broader under
standing. of more generous forbearance
OF more united effort in all the tasks
that lie before us in our national life
II these voices can make themselves
heard above noisy clamor and unworthy
controversy, the future or our country
rests secure upon an enduring and
eternal foundation"
d. Mckenzie. leader OF the Opposi-
tion. said no language could do Justice
TO the valor OF the fighting men Of
Canada. We are an industrious. peace
loving people. brought up TO the arts of
peace, to love our neighhors ana live In
harmony with all mankind" he said
when the war broke out we were pre-
pairing to celebrate one hundred years
OF peace. When the day came and the
aggressor undertook to break down those
conditions under which we had happily
lived so long, our people sprang TO
arms the quiet peace loving people