name. Those officers had just emerged
from a war where they had added lustre to the Servian arms; they were
gallant, brave, and efficient. ["Hear, hear!"] I wonder whether it was
their guilt or their efficiency that prompted Austria's action! But,
mark you, the officers were not named; Servia was to undertake in
advance to dismiss them from the army, the names to be sent in
subsequently. Can you name a country in the world that would have stood
that? [Cries of "No."] Supposing Austria or Germany had issued an
ultimatum of that kind to this country, saying, "You must dismiss from
your army, and from your navy, [laughter,] all those officers whom we
shall subsequently name." Well, I think I could name them now.
[Laughter.] Lord Kitchener [loud applause] would go. Sir John French
[applause] would be sent away; Gen. Smith-Dorrien [applause] would go,
and I am sure that Sir John Jellicoe [applause] would have to go. And
there is another gallant old warrior who would go, Lord Roberts.
[Applause.] It was a difficult situation for a small country. Here was a
demand made upon her by a great military power that could have put half
a dozen men in the field for every one of Servia's men, and that power
was supported by the greatest military power in the world. How did
Servia behave? It is not what happens to you in life that matters; it is
the way in which you face it, ["Hear, hear!"] and Servia faced the
situation with dignity. She said to Austria: "If any officers
of mine have been guilty, and are proved to be guilty, I will dismiss
them." Austria said: "That is not good enough for me." It was not guilt
she was after, but capacity. ["Hear, hear!"]

Russia's Turn.

Then came Russia's turn. Russia has a special regard for Servia; she has
a special interest in Servia. Russians have shed their blood for Servian
independence many a time, for Servia is a member of Russia's family, and
she cannot see Servia maltreated. Austria knew that. Germany knew it,
and she turned round to Russia and said: "I insist that you shall stand
by with your arms folded while Austria is strangling your little brother
to death." What answer did the Russian Slav give? He gave the only
answer that becomes a man. ["Hear, hear!"] He turned to Austria, and
said: "You lay hands on that little fellow, and I will tear your
ramshackle empire [loud applause and laughter] limb from limb." And he
is doing it! [Loud applause.]

The Little Nations.

That is the story