f the British Empire were a magnificent vindication of the
Liberal Cabinet's policy of reconciliation after the close of the South
African war.

[Illustration]

_THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH IN ARMS_

The self-governing Colonies in the British Empire have at their disposal
a 'militia,' which is sometimes only a process of formation. They can be
completely ignored so far as concerns any European theatre of war.

VON BERNHARDI, _1911_.

Our thoughts naturally turn to the splendid efforts of the Oversea
Dominions and India, who, from the earliest days of the war, have ranged
themselves side by side with the Mother Country. The prepared armed
forces of India were the first to take the field, closely followed by
the gallant Canadians--who are now fighting alongside their British and
French comrades in Flanders. In the Dardanelles the Australians and New
Zealanders--combined with the same elements, have already accomplished a
feat of arms of almost unexampled brilliancy. In each of these great
Dominions new and large contingents are being prepared, while South
Africa, not content with the successful conclusion of the arduous
campaign in South-West Africa, is now offering large forces to engage
the enemy in the main theatre of war.

LORD KITCHENER, _Guildhall speech, July 9, 1915._

There are now in training or in the field 350,000 troops of the overseas
dominions alone, while this country, on estimate, has at least 2,775,000
men in the field or in training.

SIR GILBERT PARKER, _July, 1915._

[Illustration]

_JOHN BULL: "COME ON, MICHAEL, I'M AWAKE NOW"_

Rightly or wrongly, we have in the past devoted our energies and our
intelligence, not to preparations for war, but to that social progress
which makes for the happiness and contentment of the mass of our people.
And this, no doubt, is the reason why other nations imagine that we, as
a nation of shopkeepers, are too indolent and apathetic to fight for and
maintain these priceless liberties won by the men who laid the
foundation of our vast empire.

But they are entirely mistaken in forming any such estimate of the
temperament or determination of our people. Great Britain hates war, and
no nation enters more reluctantly upon its horrible and devastating
operations; but at the same time no nation, when it is driven to war by
the machinations of its foes who desire to filch from it or from its
co-champions of liberty any portion of