"Amongst those who are opposed to a sound economic policy are the pacifists. I am not surprised. A sound economic policy for Britain means material loss to Germany, and the pacifists seem to have a tender regard for her interests. “The Paris Economic Conference resolutions,” said Mr. Henderson, “must be strenuously opposed.” That is exactly what Germany said to Russia at the point of the sword. That was how Germany expressed the triumph of Prussianism. And Mr. Henderson says exactly the same thing. He goes on:—“British Labour desires to maintain the policy of the open door.” And Germany also desires us to maintain the policy of the open door. Emil Zimmerman says:—“The rise of Germany is due essentially to the British policy of the open door. Without that we should be at one stroke once more the Germany of 1870.” It is certainly curious, to say the least of it, that while England and Germany are locked in a life-and-death struggle an Englishman should agree with a German that the policy vital to the welfare of Germany should be maintained by Britain."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Speech in Cardiff (20 July 1918), quoted in The Times (22 July 1918), p. 3
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Billy_Hughes
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Billy Hughes
William Morris Hughes, CH, KC (25 September 1862 – 28 October 1952) was an Australian politician who served as the 7th Prime Minister of Australia, in office from 1915 to 1923. He is best known for leading the country during World War I, but his influence on national politics spanned several decades. Hughes was a member of federal parliament from Federation in 1901 until his death, the only person to have served for more than 50 years. He represented six political parties during his career, lead
51 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Billy Hughes →
Related Quotes
"[A]mongst the chief causes of this war [is] the desire of Germany to wrest from Britain her industrial and commercial…"
"He thought an economic policy could be devised that would at once hasten victory and deal with the after-war problems…"
"We are loyal to the Empire first and foremost because we are of the British race."
"[W]e believe in the British Empire because it stands for liberty; because it has given us all that we have; because i…"
"It is our duty to help the Empire in this struggle. It is indeed imperative to do so, for only by helping the Empire …"
"That party will go down to all time as the party that failed Australia in her hour of need."
"What was the economic policy of Britain going to be? It was not merely a question of a tariff; the great question, We…"
"He was sick of this canting humbug about internationalism. Nationalism, not internationalism, was the policy for Brit…"
"The people of Britain are adjured by the pacifists to secure peace by negotiation. Do these gentlemen think the peopl…"
"I emphasize that...nothing short of a decisive victory will avail. Germany's military power must be utterly crushed. …"