ions;
and Lords Lieutenant, M.P.'s of all sides, including labor members,
and representative clergy, have addressed the meetings. The
interest taken by the people has been shown by the fact that the
largest halls, though sometimes holding audiences of 3,000 to 4,000
men and more, have been unable to accommodate the crowds, and in
every case overflow meetings have had to be held.

I have not found anywhere the slightest misapprehension as to the
causes of the war. The fears that were entertained that we should
be thought to be fighting on account of Servia or some remote
international quarrel, in which we were only indirectly engaged,
are groundless. The people realize clearly that we are fighting,
not merely for our own honor and good faith, but for ourselves and
our own national existence.

Further, I think that the policies and ideals which are represented
by our opponents are becoming much more widely understood. The
circulation of books such as von Bernhardi's and the clear
exposition on many platforms and in the press of the objects
preached with such amazing frankness by German writers for at least
thirty years and treated with such characteristic indifference by
ourselves are bearing fruit, and our people realize that German
victory is inconsistent not merely with the continued existence of
such an empire as ours, but with the conception of self-respect,
humanity and freedom upon which modern civilization and democratic
government in particular take their stand.

No doubt the German proceedings in Belgium have done much to
accelerate this conviction; and the mercilessness and savagery of
the methods by which the war has been fought by them (and for which
no vestige of an apology has been forthcoming) have taught men that
here is not only an enemy to be beaten but an evil spirit to be
driven out.

The response to the appeal for recruits has, on the whole, been
wonderful and inspiriting. Employers of labor, whether on a large
or a small scale, have, as a rule, behaved with generosity both as
regards releasing their employees and in making provision for them
and their families. A good example has been set by families and
persons in leading positions. Domestic servants have come forward
in great numbers. The working class populatio