On This Day, 20 November 1918

Birmingham Daily Post

Wednesday 20 November 1918

ACHIEVING THE VICTORIES OF PEACE

May not the losses of war be repaired by a better organisation of industry, and by avoiding the waste which industrial disputes involve? Cannot a spirit of reciprocal trust and co-ordination of effort be diffused among all classes? May we not by raising the standard of education turn to fuller account the natural aptitudes of our people, and open wider the sources of intellectual enjoyment?

We have also in conjunction with our Allies and other peace-loving States to devise machinery by which the risk of international strife shall be averted and the crushing burdens of naval and military armaments be reduced. The doctrine that force shall rule the world has been disproved and destroyed. Let us enthrone the rule justice and international right.

In what spirit shall we approach these great problems? How shall we seek to achieve the victories of peace? Can we do better than remember the lessons which the years of war have taught, retain the spirit which they instilled? In these years Britain and her traditions have come to mean more to us than they had ever meant before. It became a privilege to serve her in whatever way we could, and were all drawn by the sacredness of the cause into a comradeship which fired our zeal and nerved our efforts.

This is the spirit we must try to preserve. It is on a sense of brotherhood and mutual goodwill, on a common devotion to the common interests of the nation as a whole, that its future prosperity and strength must be built up.