1918.]

Address from the City of London.

[107

in the air, you have shown your solicitude and concern for their welfare, and from castle and cottage alike prayers have ascended to Almighty God that success may attend our arms and blessings be showered upon your Royal House. So, too, the citizens of London have seen with genuine pleasure and gratification the great anxiety which your Majesties have always shown for the social happiness and welfare of your people-notably in the housing of the working classes, in which our late beloved Sovereign King Edward took so paternal an interest in questions connected with the well-being of the children of the people, and, indeed, in every scheme having for its object the amelioration of the conditions of life of all classes of the community. We know how deep the sympathy of your Majesties has been with the sufferers in the many air raids which have been made upon the Metropolis of the Empire-attacks which have had no effect upon the military situation, but merely resulted in wicked and wanton destruction of life and property. If there have been moments of depression and discouragement in the course of this great war, this human weakness has soon given place to a courageous and uncomplaining spirit, for we have been sustained by the lofty example which your Majesties, living in our midst and sharing in all the fluctuating incidents of these perilous times, have ever set before us.

"The active and heroic services of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales at the front since the commencement of the war, his gallant bearing and his chivalry, have won for him the admiration of all ranks of the Army, the confidence of the Empire, and the affection of our Allies. The citizens of London highly appreciate the honour which your Majesties have done them by your presence to-day in our ancient Guildhall, accompanied as you are by Her Royal Highness the Princess Mary, whose coming of age this year gives additional lustre to this interesting anniversary. We would desire, in conclusion, most respectfully to renew the heartfelt assurance of our loyal and dutiful regard, and pray that your Majesties, and your Family, may long be spared to enjoy true happiness when the clouds which now darken the heavens have passed away and it has pleased God to restore to the world the blessings of a real and lasting peace."-Signed by order of the Court. James Bell, Town Clerk.

The King's reply, delivered in a loud, clear voice, was in the following terms:

"I thank you very heartily for your loyal address. It has given the Queen and myself great pleasure to come again to the City of London, which has so many associations with my family, and to receive your congratulations and good wishes on the twenty-fifth anniversary of our wedding day. We are greatly touched by the kind references which you have made to the happiness of our married life, a happiness which has been so much increased by the unfailing sympathy and affection of our

people. We acknowledge with gratitude to Almighty God the many blessings bestowed upon us during these years.

"This anniversary falls at a time when the shadow of war lies heavily on our land, and the very existence of the Empire is assailed by an unscrupulous foe. In this time of trial, it is our earnest desire to share the sorrows of our people, and, so far as in us lies, to alleviate their suffering. But while our hearts are heavy at the thought of the bereavement and distress which have befallen the nation, we have seen with joyful gratitude the whole-hearted response to the call of duty which has reverberated throughout the Empire. And here in the presence of the distinguished representatives of the Dominions and Colonies and the Empire of India, I warmly acclaim the noble and self-sacrificing spirit in which our brothers across the seas have given their best in our united defence of liberty and right. Through four long years of unceasing conflict the ancient qualities of the British race have shown themselves in innumerable heroic deeds and in a dogged endurance, which have baffled the purpose of the enemy.

"From the visits which I have made to the sailors in our fleets and the soldiers in our armies, I have brought back an ever-increasing admiration for the spirit which pervades all ranks, for their resolution and cheerfulness in all circumstances. What words can express the debt we owe to the Navy, which, with unsleeping watchfulness and through every kind of difficulty and danger, has protected our shores and kept open for us and for our Allies the highways of the sea; to the splendid Army, the very flower of the nation, which has stood and still stands as a wall between us and the fury of our enemies; and to our Air Force, distinguished by so many glorious achievements, and now the third arm of the defences of the Empire, of which I am proud indeed to be the General-in-Chief. And when we think of the great fighting services, let us remember too the unflinching gallantry and determination of the men of the merchant service, who have refused to be dismayed by a terrorism hitherto unknown in naval warfare; and the courage of the mine sweepers, trawlers, and fleet auxiliaries, who have performed without ceasing their perilous tasks.

"And a hearty tribute of praise is due to the services of my troops on those more distant fronts which I have been unable to visit in person. The men who are fighting in Italy by the side of our gallant Allies; the Army of Salonika which has so long helped to keep the enemy from the waters of the Eastern Mediterranean; the East African force, which has performed feats of courage and endurance in difficult conditions of climate and locality; the armies of Mesopotamia and Palestine, which have rescued once rich and famous territories from the tyranny which has devastated and depopulated them, and have restored already something of their ancient prosperity-all these have abundantly earned our gratitude and admiration.

"The conditions at home also give cause for pride and thankfulness. We have seen a ready acceptance by all classes, men and women alike, of the burdens which the war has brought, courage in times of crisis, calmness and self-possession when by his air attacks the enemy sought to terrify the noncombatant population of this great City, and at all times an unfaltering determination to persevere to the end in the maintenance of our righteous cause. I would recall in particular the efforts so successfully made, in which the City of London has played such a great part, to uphold and enhance the financial credit of the country and to raise the vast sums needed for the prosecution of the war.

"Especially have I been struck on our visits to the industrial districts of the country, by the evidence in so many quarters of a spirit of mutual concession animating both employers and workers in regard to matters affecting their individual interests, and a readiness to sink differences in order that the essential work of the country should be carried on. We may cherish, I believe, well-founded hopes that in the furnace of war new links of understanding and sympathy are being forged between man and man, between class and class; and that we are coming to recognise as never before that we are all members of one community, and that the welfare of each is dependent upon, and inseparable from, the welfare of all.

"We thank you for your kind references to the Prince of Wales, whose knowledge of our fellow-countrymen has been increased in the comradeship of war, and to our dear daughter. It has been a source of gratification to the Queen and myself that our children have been able to bear some part in the great task to which the country has been called. We are deeply moved by the manifestations of good will which have been so abundantly displayed towards us. We rejoice to feel that we are united with the people of the whole Empire in their ideals and aspirations, in their joys and sorrows, determined to secure such a peace as will save the generations to come from the sufferings, horrors, and desolation inflicted upon the world during the past four years.

"When that peace comes, may it dawn upon an Empire strengthened in character by the fiery trial through which it has passed, and knit together more closely by the memory of common efforts and common sacrifices."

But while the King and Queen accepted a personal gift to mark the day from the citizens of London, and from them only, the congratulations of the peoples of the Empire were voiced by Parliament in the following resolution, which in the House of Commons (on July 8) was moved by the Prime Minister, and seconded by Mr. Asquith, and in the House of Lords was moved by Lord Curzon and seconded by Lord Crewe:

"That a humble address be presented to their Majesties to congratulate them on the twenty-fifth anniversary of their wedding;

"And to assure their Majesties that this House, deeply interested in the personal well-being of the Sovereign, and warmly appreciating their Majesties' unfailing devotion to duty in this time of stress, profoundly shares the sentiments of loyal affection with which their peoples throughout the world welcome the anniversary of so felicitous a union;

"And joins with them in praying earnestly for the continuance during many years of their Majesties' health and happiness."

Both Houses of Parliament were much occupied during July with the question of the treatment of enemy aliens. Feeling against the latter had been gradually gathering strength in the country. Municipal Corporations, including that of the city of London, demanded more drastic measures against these unfortunate people; members of Parliament put down a large number of questions to ministers on the subject; and demonstrations in Hyde Park and elsewhere were organised to call public attention to the matter. Popular feeling on what was termed the " Enemy Alien Peril" was perhaps best expressed in a motion adopted by the Stepney Borough Council, declaring that enemy aliens over eighteen should be interned, repatriated, or employed on national duties, and that no aliens should be permitted to open or acquire the businesses of an Englishman, relinquished owing to the national crisis, and urging the authorities to take steps forthwith. So loud did public opinion become that towards the end of June the Prime Minister, greatly concerned, asked six members of Parliament drawn from the Unionist, Liberal, and Labour Parties, most of whom had been long_agitating on the subject-Mr. Kennedy Jones, Mr. Joynson-Hicks, Sir Henry Dalziel, Sir Richard Cooper, Sir John Butcher, and Mr. Bowerman-to make a thorough investigation of the various phases of the enemy alien question and to advise him as to what action should be taken to allay public anxiety. Meanwhile members became impatient, and as early as July 2 Sir Henry Dalziel, at question-time, asked whether an early opportunity would be provided for a discussion of Government control of enemy aliens. Mr. Bonar Law replied that he hoped it might be possible to give a day the following week. "I know," he said, "how strong feeling on the subject is in the House, and the sooner it is discussed the better."

On July 8 the Committee of Six presented their report to the Prime Minister, which, they said, represented their considered views on the position of aliens in this country and on the scope and character of the action which should be taken by the Government in dealing with the problem. In making their recommendations the Committee were careful to add that "any wholesale charge of treason against such persons [i.e., persons of enemy origin] is unwarranted." The recommendations, fifteen in number, included the wholesale internment of all male enemy aliens over eighteen, allowing for exceptions on national or medi

cal grounds; the repatriation of alien women of enemy origin, but providing for exemptions on grounds of justice and humanity; the review of naturalisation certificates granted to persons of enemy origin; the immediate discharge from Government offices of all persons, male or female, of enemy origin; the rendering inoperative until six months after the signing of peace of all changes of name since August 1, 1914, by persons of enemy origin; and the immediate winding up of enemy businesses and the closing of enemy banks.

On the same day as the report was issued a debate on the aliens question in the House of Lords was opened by Lord Beresford, who spoke of the irritation and anxiety prevailing in the country on the subject, and complained that the Government had never put forward a clear and definite policy. Lord Buckmaster set himself against the main current of opinion, and declared that although it had been suggested that German influence permeated society and influenced Parliament, not a case had been quoted which in the least justified the allegations. But several Liberal peers dissociated themselves from these views, except Lord Parmoor who pleaded that naturalised aliens were entitled to the benefits which naturalisation gave them.

The Committee's recommendations were favourably received by members of the House of Commons, who on July 11 had an opportunity of discussing the whole question on a Government motion to adjourn the House. Sir George Cave, the Home Secretary, opened the debate, and surveyed one aspect after another of the subject as it had been presented to the Prime Minister and the public by the recent report of the six members of Parliament. He recognised the prevailing anxiety in the public mind, but attributed it to a great extent to insufficient knowledge of the steps already taken against an alien danger. In a persuasive defence of the Home Office, he claimed that no ill consequences had occurred as a result of the present system. Incidentally, he revealed the interesting fact that, except in the first few weeks of the war, spies had not been found among subjects of enemy States, but among other nationalities. In submitting his proposals for tightening up the system, he took the ground that, while the Government must take into account public feeling, they must not be pressed by it, however strong, into doing something unfair and unjust. But the Government intended to take new measures. All certificates of exemption from internment were to be revised. The duty of revision was to be undertaken by the old Advisory Committees for England and Scotland; but these were to be strengthened by additional members, including at least one military man in each case," who will be able to take the military point of view." Certificates of naturalisation granted during the war were also to be revised. This task was to be undertaken by a judicial committee. A new rule was to be laid down about Government servants that "no person shall during the war he employed