The third anniversary of the entry of Britain into the war was commemorated throughout the United Kingdom and the Empire by public meetings and speeches in which our determination to carry on the war to a victorious conclusion was solemnly affirmed. The King in a message to the Lord Mayor of London declared that we were fighting “for the sacred principles of justice, freedom, and humanity, and, by God’s help, we mean to triumph.”
Mr Lloyd George, in a telegram to the Russian Premier, expressed the determination of this country to prosecute the struggle until the liberties of Europe are secured. Addressing at Queen’s Hall an enthusiastic meeting of the National War Aims Committee Mr Lloyd George said that what had happened in the last three years constituted a justification of our entering the contest, and everyone could now picture what would have happened to Europe if we had not gone to war. The Kaiser talked of “defending German soil,” but he knew that was not why he went to war. Germany had not yet abandoned its ambitions. They felt that their plot had miscarried and meant the next time to make sure. “But,” said Mr Lloyd George in one of his most telling passages, “there must be no make sure; there must be no next time.” The Russian collapse was a deep glen, but across the valley he could see the ascent. He was certain that Russia was realizing that by retiring she would be no nearer to peace without annexations. The Kaiser professed to be satisfied with the last battle in Flanders. Germany liked retreats and we liked advances, so it pleased both sides. He believed Sir Douglas Haig proposed to rejoice the Kaiser’s heart again and again on those lines. Turning from this bantering Mr Lloyd George concluded on a note of warning. The strain was great and some people were more concerned about ending the war than winning it. “Let us keep our eyes steadily on winning the war. Anyone who promotes international distrust or disunion at this hour is helping the enemy and hurting his native land. Let there be one thought in every head.
“Sow distrust, discontent, disunion in a nation and we shall reap defeat, but if, on the other hand, we sow the seeds of patience, confidence, unity, we shall garner in victory and its fruit.”