"I am not going to cast about in my mind for flowery
phrases or epigrams. We are plain men here together, with our
country's fate in the balance. For God's sake, realise your
responsibilities. I want peace. I ache for it. But there will
be no peace for Europe while Germany remains an undefeated
autocracy. We've promised our dead and our living to oust that
corrupt monster from his throne. We've promised it to France our
glorious Allies. We've shaken hands about it with America, whose
ships are already crowding the seas, and whose young manhood has
taken the oath which ours has taken. This isn't the time for
peace. I am not speaking in the dark when I tell you that we have
a great movement pending in the West which may completely alter
the whole military situation. Give us a chance. If you carry out
your threat, you plunge this country into revolution, you
dishonour us in the face of our Allies; you will go through the
rest of your lives, every one of you, with a guilt upon your
souls, a stain upon your consciences, which nothing will ever
obliterate. You see, I have kept my word--I haven't said much.
I cannot ask for the armistice you suggest. If you take this step
you threaten--I do not deny its significance you will probably
stop the war. One of you will come in and take my place. There
will be turmoil, confusion, very likely bloodshed. I know what
the issue will be, and yet I know my duty. There is not one
member of my Cabinet who is not with me.
Pages:
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229