Let me pursue my parable. Supposing thereafter that one and
a-half million of our men were taken as prisoners into Germany and held there as the hostages for our collaboration. Their captivity would not merely drain the very life-blood of the country, but would bring poignant and ceaseless sorrow to countless homes. To many of us it would seem that nothing on this earth was more important than the return to us of our sons and lovers ; that no imaginable evil could be greater than this galling separation. Supposing also that as the price of non- submission the enemy remained in occupation of our capital and industrial areas, that the fruits of our labour were taken from us, that we were mulcted of vast sums for the profit of our foes, that all political action or discussion was prohibited, and that at every hour of the day, in Press and wireless, the voice of the tempter whispered to us " Surrender, and all these evils will pass." Supposing also that we were exposed to hunger, bombardment and darkness ; that we were constantly assured that these added evils came to us from our would-be liberators ; that we had lost all confidence in our own institutions ; that we had lost even that self-respect which is the buttress of pride. In such circumstances would we not also, the ordinary decent Britons, be tempted to find excuses for further subservience? Examine your hearts and find the answer. And when you have found it, agree with me that the fact that 8o per cent. of the people of France refuse collaboration and long only for the victory of Britain is a fact which shows that the spirit of France remains a fine and formidable thing. ••
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