What did we do, and what was our duty? I came back to Ottawa on the 1st of August, three days before the war broke out. I had the honour of sending a telegram, at first secret, since made public, telling Great Britain we would co-operate in every endeavour for maintaining the peace of the Empire and of the world, but that if war did unfortunately come, the Dominion of Canada stood with Great Britain and all the Dominions of the Empire, to see that the war should be forced to an honourable and victorious conclusion. And as I said to the officers and men this morning, I am glad to have lived to see the day when the public spirit, the national spirit of Canada, has manifested itself as it has manifested itself in the past four months, and will continue to manifest itself until the issue to which I alluded shall be brought about.

We offered them an expeditionary force on the 1st of August. We were told two or three days after to await results. Yet we thought it best to go ahead with it along the lines of the proposal suggested. We took steps at once for the raising and equipment of troops for such a force as was authorised. On the 7th of August, the suggested composition of the force was received from the British authorities, and was immediately sanctioned by Order in Council. Recruiting in the meantime had already commenced, and within, I think, two or three weeks 35,000 men had been enlisted and gathered at Valcartier Camp, and within six weeks from the outbreak of war those men were ready to be transported across the Atlantic, fully armed and equipped for the war.

I want to tell you, if you will permit me, something that will help you to realise the stress of those days. I want to tell you what was done in connection with the preparation of the camp at Valcartier and the equipping of this force. I want you to bear in mind here that Great Britain is not a military country, is not organised on a vast military scale as Germany and other countries, where, when the signal is given, men thoroughly trained can get their munitions and equipment; field guns, stores, and commissariat, and everything necessary for war is gathered together on a great scale. Neither here nor in Great Britain is there preparation on a great scale. Therefore it was particularly

creditable to the people-I am not saying to the government-that we were able, by the organising ability fortunately found in this country, to do what has been done in that regard.

I went to Valcartier Camp four weeks after the day the sod was broken for it. The site consisted of a number of little farms, with farm-houses scattered over them. It had been taken for military purposes some time before, but nothing had been done by way of preparing it for use. I want to tell you what was accomplished by the time I saw it. A rifle range comprising a line of 1500 targets, and extending more than three and a half miles, was completed within about ten days. A complete water supply, with necessary piping, pumps, tanks, and chlorinating plant, with about 200 taps fitted to ablution tables and 75 shower baths, was constructed. An electric light, power, and telephone system was installed. Streets were constructed, buildings and tents erected, and an effective sewerage system, comprising over 28,000 feet of drain pipe, was completed. Railway sidings with necessary loading platforms were constructed. Woods were cleared and elaborate sanitary arrangements prepared. Six large buildings for ordnance stores and for the Army Service Corps, buildings for medical stores, for pay and transport offices, hospital stables for sick horses, fumigating and other buildings were constructed and made ready for use within the same period. Thirty-five thousand men were assembled and put through a most systematic course of training in all branches of the service. Infantry, cavalry, artillery, engineering, Army Service Corps, Army Medical Corps, signalling and ammunition columns were organised, and all were trained in their respective duties. Sixteen thousand men were trained daily in musketry. The clothing and equipment, the transport and supply for 35,000 men were a heavy undertaking, especially in the urgency of haste.

It is difficult for those who did not see the camp, and who have not studied all that has been accomplished, to realise the tremendous demands made upon the organising ability of the Canadian people to accomplish all this. venture the assertion that the organisation and arrange

ments of Valcartier Camp have not been excelled in any part of our Empire since the commencement of the war.

It is unnecessary to describe in detail all the equipment, arms, accoutrements, and other necessaries furnished. To equip the force sent forward and to make some provision for future contingents, 290,000 pairs of boots and shoes have been provided, 100,000 forage caps, 90,000 greatcoats, 240,000 jackets and sweaters of various types, 235,000 pairs of trousers, 70,000 rifles, 70,000 bayonets, 80,000 oil bottles, 70,000 water bottles, 95,000 sets of valise equipment, and so on in like proportion over a list of 66 different articles. With the first expeditionary force we sent to Great Britain 21 thirteen-pounder quick-firing guns, 96 eighteen-pounder quick-firing guns, 10 breech-loading sixty-pounder guns, a large number of machine guns, motor lorries, transport wagons, and vast quantities of ammunition. The force was ready for embarkation within six weeks from the outbreak of war, and could have been then despatched if arrangements for escort had been immediately possible.

You perhaps do not realise how great an undertaking it was for a non-military country to assemble, organise, train, equip, and despatch so large a force within that brief period. I am claiming this simply as a credit to the people of Canada, because without the organising ability of the people and the earnest co-operation of the nation from the Atlantic to the Pacific, I readily admit it would not have been possible to accomplish this. Just for purpose of comparison, it is, I believe, the largest military force that ever crossed the Atlantic at one time, 50 per cent. larger than the total number of British troops under Wellington's command at Waterloo, and about twice as large as the force the Spanish expected to land with the great Armada. Of course, it is a small force compared with the enormous forces that are now engaged in the battlefields of Europe. Let me say in passing, that having seen the arrangements which have been made in Toronto for the training of men and sending them to the front, I am delighted with all that has been done, and I take this opportunity publicly to congratulate General Lessard and his staff and all who have helped him for the splendid work

done in that regard. I took the opportunity to say this morning, and you will permit me to repeat it here, that the men who are making themselves ready for the stern work which they may be called upon to do later on are serving their country and serving the Empire just as truly as if they were at the front to-day.

Earnest men, with whose ideals I most deeply sympathise, from all over Canada have been asking me, "Why did not we send immediately 100,000 men across the Atlantic, why not send 150,000 or 200,000 men?" you realise what it would mean to send men untrained to fight against the most highly-trained troops in the world? I would not be responsible for it if all the people in Canada told me to do it!

I have spoken to you of what we have done. Let me say a word or two with regard to what we propose to do. Since the first contingent sailed, we immediately announced that another would follow. In the multitudinous affairs of the most urgent importance that continually crowd upon those at the War Office, we did not receive an answer as soon as we had hoped. I gave the matter some consideration, and I discussed it very carefully indeed with the Chief of the General Staff and other officers who were proper to be consulted, and with my colleagues, and I arrived at the conclusion that the proper course for us in Canada to adopt was that which has already been made public, but which I may be permitted to repeat. I asked the Chief of the General Staff how many men could be efficiently trained in Canada at one time. He told me that, with regard to climatic conditions, 30,000 was as many as could be trained at one time. We determined forthwith that 30,000 should immediately be put in training, and as soon as 15,000 or 20,000 should be required by the War Office-because all this is subject to their ability to receive the men-as soon as they could be properly convoyed, and the War Office could provide training quarters for them, we would send them, and immediately enlist more, so that the number of men should be kept up to 30,000; and with that idea, until the termination of this war, or until the War Office tells us that men are no longer required, we would keep men continuously in training in that way. Later on, after

consultation with the Chief of the General Staff, we found there were such splendid accommodations in various parts of Canada-and particularly the facilities at Toronto are not equalled anywhere in the world, I think we increased that number to 50,000 men. The General Staff at Ottawa is engaged on that work at the present time, and I rejoice, and you rejoice, at the way in which the young men of Canada are coming forward. Their spirit is perfectly marvellous. The military authorities, the Chief of the General Staff, and all the officers, have this difficult work before them: they must provide training, clothing, accommodation, and equipment, as fast as the men come forward. I am sure that condition will continue until it is no more needful for us to send men to the front.

In the press in various quarters, this number of 100,000 has been suggested. No one knows what the issues of this war may be. No one knows what the requirements may be. I am not prepared to name any figure. But if two or three times 100,000 men are necessary, I think there is no doubt but that Canada will respond to the call. And we are prepared to make that call in the full assurance that it will be answered.

I was reading not long ago General Bernhardi's book in a translation which appeared in 1913. Speaking of the Dominions of the British Empire he said: So far as we in Europe or in the European theatre are concerned, the self-governing Dominions of that Empire may be dismissed as a negligible quantity." I want to make this prophecy, that if this war continues as long as we have reason to anticipate at the present moment, the military authorities of Germany will find within that European theatre not less than 250,000 or 300,000 of the best troops in the world from those same negligible Dominions!

I have spoken of the training of the men. I am afraid— (cries of "Go on!”).

The Mayor: "We've got all afternoon!

Sir Robert, continuing: I am afraid the Mayor is impressed with the idea that I intend to make a House of Commons speech. I have spoken of the training of the men. You know, as I said to the officers this morning, you might as well send a dozen or fifteen men from the