Speech by King George V. Read Before Both Houses, Sept. 18.
The Lord Chancellor read the King's speech, which was in the following
terms:
My Lords and Gentlemen: I address you in circumstances that call
for action rather than for speech.
After every endeavor had been made by my Government to preserve the
peace of the world, I was compelled, in the assertion of treaty
obligations deliberately set at nought, and for the protection of
the public law of Europe and the vital interests of my empire, to
go to war.
My navy and army have, with unceasing vigilance, courage, and
skill, sustained, in association with gallant and faithful allies,
a just and righteous cause.
From every part of my empire there has been a spontaneous and
enthusiastic rally to our common flag.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons: I thank you for the liberality
with which you have met a great emergency.
My Lords and Gentlemen: We are fighting for a worthy purpose, and
we shall not lay down our arms until that purpose has been fully
achieved.
I rely with confidence upon the loyal and united efforts of all my
subjects, and I pray that Almighty God may give us His blessing.
Then a commission for proroguing the Parliament was read, after which
the Lord Chancellor said:
My Lords and Gentlemen: By virtue of his Majesty's commission,
under the great seal, to us and other lords directed, and now read,
we do, in his Majesty's name and in obedience to his commands,
prorogue this Parliament to Tuesday the twenty-seventh day of
October, one thousand nine hundred and fourteen, to be then here
holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Tuesday the
twenty-seventh day of October, one thousand nine hundred and
fourteen.
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