to speak on that subject, as the whole idea of Germans in this
country seemed absolutely inconceivable. If the Germans were to
land on our shores all the waters which surrounded this isle would
not wash the land clean. She knew what the Germans were, and had
seen the wreck they had made of Belgium and part of France. She
knew what the women and children had suffered, and how the churches
had been desecrated and demolished. It was said that this was a war
of humanity, but she believed it was a war of right against wrong;
and if she were asked when the war would finish, she could only say
that we would fight it right on to the end until we were
victorious.

The Germans were beaten already, and had been beaten from the day
they gave up their honour. She spoke of the heroism of the troops,
and stated that since September last she had been running a
soup-kitchen for the wounded. In this humble vocation she had had
an opportunity of gauging the spirit of the soldiers. She had seen
them sick, wounded, and dying, but had never known them give in.
Why should humble villages in France without soldiers in them be
shelled? That was Germany, and that was what they saw. The thing
was almost inconceivable, but she had seen helpless women and
children brought to the hospitals, maimed and wounded by the cruel
German shells. After this war England was going to be a better
country than before. Up to now there had been a national
selfishness which was growing very strong, and there was a terrible
love of money, which, after all, was of very little account unless
it was used in the proper direction. She could tell them stories of
Belgians who had had to fire upon their own women and children who
were being marched in front of German troops. The power of Germany
had to be crushed. The spirit of England and Wales was one in this
great war, and they would not falter until they had emerged
triumphant. (Applause.)

[Page Heading: A CLARION CALL]

Mr. Robinson Smith said the clarion call had been sounded, and they
were prepared, if necessary, to give their last shilling, their
last drop of blood, and their very selves, body, soul, and spirit,
to fight for right till right had won. (Applause.)

Cheers were given for the distinguished authoress, and the
proceedings