journal of the churchill center and societies - Winston Churchill
journal of the churchill center and societies - Winston Churchill
journal of the churchill center and societies - Winston Churchill
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IMMORTAL WORDS<br />
The Japanese onslaught has brought upon <strong>the</strong> United States <strong>and</strong> Great Britain<br />
very serious injuries to our naval power.<br />
In my whole experience I do not remember any naval blow<br />
so heavy or painful as <strong>the</strong> sinking <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Prince <strong>of</strong> Wales <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Repulse...<br />
We have a very hard period to go through,<br />
<strong>and</strong> a new surge <strong>of</strong> impulse will be required, <strong>and</strong> will be forthcoming.<br />
We must, as I have said, faithfully keep our engagement to Russia in supplies,<br />
<strong>and</strong> at <strong>the</strong> same time we must expect, at any rate for <strong>the</strong> next few months,<br />
that <strong>the</strong> volume <strong>of</strong> American supplies reaching Britain<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> degree <strong>of</strong> help given by <strong>the</strong> United States Navy<br />
will be reduced.<br />
The gap will be filled, <strong>and</strong> only our own efforts will fill it.<br />
I cannot doubt, however,<br />
now that <strong>the</strong> 130,000,000people in <strong>the</strong> United States<br />
have bound <strong>the</strong>mselves to this war,<br />
that once <strong>the</strong>y have settled down to it<br />
<strong>and</strong> have bent <strong>the</strong>mselves to it—as <strong>the</strong>y will—<br />
that <strong>the</strong> flow <strong>of</strong> munitions will vastly exceed<br />
anything that could have been expected<br />
on <strong>the</strong> peacetime basis....<br />
Not only <strong>the</strong> British Empire now but <strong>the</strong> United States are fighting for life;<br />
Russia is fighting for life, <strong>and</strong> China is fighting for life.<br />
Behind <strong>the</strong>se four great combatant communities are ranged<br />
<strong>the</strong> spirit <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> hopes <strong>of</strong> all <strong>the</strong> conquered countries in Europe,<br />
prostrate under <strong>the</strong> cruel domination <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> foe.<br />
I said <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r day that four-fifths <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> human race were on our side.<br />
It may well be an understatement.<br />
Just <strong>the</strong>se gangs <strong>and</strong> cliques <strong>of</strong> wicked men<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir military or party organisations<br />
have been able to bring <strong>the</strong>se hideous evils upon mankind.<br />
It would indeed bring shame upon our generation<br />
if we did not teach <strong>the</strong>m a lesson<br />
which will not be forgotten in <strong>the</strong> records <strong>of</strong> a thous<strong>and</strong> years.<br />
WSC, HOUSE OF COMMONS, 11 DECEMBER 1941