British and Foreign State Papers

FOR eighteen months my Navy and Army have been engaged, in concert with brave and steadfast Allies, in defending our common liberties and the public law of Europe against the unprovoked encroachments of the enemy. I am sustained by the determination of my people at home and overseas to carry our flag to a final and decisive victory.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

I thank you for the ungrudging liberality with which you have made provision for the heavy demands of the War.

My Lords, and Gentlemen,

In this struggle, forced upon us by those who hold in light esteem the liberties and covenants which we regard as sacred, we shall not lay down our arms until we have vindicated the rause which carries with it the future of civilisation.

I rely with confidence upon the loyal and united efforts of all my subjects, which have never failed me, and I pray that Almighty God may give us His blessing.

SPEECH of the King on the Opening of the British Parliament.-Westminster, February 15, 1916.

My Lords, and Gentlemen,

IT has been my duty to summon you after a short recess to renew your deliberations.

The spirit of my Allies and of my people, who are united in this conflict by ever strengthening ties of sympathy and understanding, remains steadfast in the resolve to secure reparation [1916. cx.]

for the victims of unprovoked and unjustifiable outrage and effectual safeguards for all nations against the aggression of a Power which mistakes force for right and expediency for honour.

With a proud and grateful confidence I look to the courage, tenacity, and resource of my Navy and Army, on whom we depend worthily to perform our part in the attainment of this goal.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

You will be asked to make due financial provision for the conduct of the War.

My Lords, and Gentlemen.

The only measures which will be submitted to you are such as in the opinion of my advisers tend to the attainment of our common object.

I confidently commend them to your patriotism and loyalty, and I pray that the Almighty will give His blessing to your counsels.

SPEECH of the King on the Closing of the British Parliament.-Westminster, December 22, 1916.

My Lords, and Gentlemen,

THROUGHOUT the months that have elapsed since I last addressed you my Navy and Army, in conjunction with those of our gallant and faithful Allies, have, by their unceasing vigilance and indomitable valour, justified the high trust I placed in them. I am confident that, however long the struggle, their efforts, supported by the inflexible determination of all my subjects throughout the Empire, will finally achieve the victorious consummation of those aims for which I entered into war. My Government has been reconstructed with the sole object of furthering those aims unaltered and unimpaired.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

I thank you for the unstinted liberality with which you continue to provide for the burdens of war.

My Lords, and Gentlemen,

The vigorous prosecution of the war must be our single endeavour until we have vindicated the rights so ruthlessly violated by our enemies and established the security of Europe on a sure foundation.

In this sacred cause I am assured of the united support of all my peoples, and I pray that Almighty God may give us His blessing.

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