Lord Milner, who paid a tribute on Friday week to
the splendid work of the Y.M.C.A. on behalf of the Army, reviewed with admir- able clearness the issues in the world-war, now reaching its climax. In " this fiercest trial through which our country has ever passed, we are a more united nation than we have ever been in living memory." We were united nationally, and with our Allies, because we had set against the German ideal of a Central European block, of irresistible military strength, ruling a world of peaceful, servile States for the profit of Gerinany, the ideal of " a world common- wealth of free nations." We knew from history that a " German peace " was unattainable ; but until Germany admitted that fact, she could and would prolong the war. To-day she was on the crest of the wave of military strength ; and what the Allies must keep in vices, day by day, was " that no effort can be enough when every- thing in the world is at stake."
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