THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH IN ARMS
Reading edition
The self-governing Colonies in the British Empire have at their disposal a ‘militia,’ which is sometimes only a process of formation. They can be completely ignored so far as concerns any European theatre of war.
Von Bernhardi, 1911.
Our thoughts naturally turn to the splendid efforts of the Oversea Dominions and India, who, from the earliest days of the war, have ranged themselves side by side with the Mother Country. The prepared armed forces of India were the first to take the field, closely followed by the gallant Canadians—who are now fighting alongside their British and French comrades in Flanders. In the Dardanelles the Australians and New Zealanders—combined with the same elements, have already accomplished a feat of arms of almost unexampled brilliancy. In each of these great Dominions new and large contingents are being prepared, while South Africa, not content with the successful conclusion of the arduous campaign in South-West Africa, is now offering large forces to engage the enemy in the main theatre of war.
Lord Kitchener, Guildhall speech, July 9, 1915.
There are now in training or in the field 350,000 troops of the overseas dominions alone, while this country, on estimate, has at least 2,775,000 men in the field or in training.
Sir Gilbert Parker, July, 1915.
