It would be difficult to imagine a speech more packed
with good sense than that of Mr. Davis. His ridicule of militarism regarded as a safeguard under modem conditions was excellent. So was his examination of the dangers which may arise through having discontented neighbours. Full of sense, too, were his comments on industrial life. Men, as he said, cannot live without working, and men work best when they are working to help
themselves. Finally, " one cannot spend what one has not got." He called his sentiments " a bath of 'the obvious," but it was a bath very much needed and very refreshing just now,
We must end with the striking similitude in which Mr. Davis spoke of Anglo-American relations :-
" The British Empire and the United States are rather large vessels. Neither can 'hope to manoeuvre without taking account of the other's whereabouts ; and they may have to take from time to time a fair amount of the wash from each other's wake. But God pity the steersman of either who brings them into collision if ever his crew and passengers get their hands on him ! "
Previous page
