e, which,
along with the great American democracy, stands between her and the
realisation of her dream."

"The British Empire!" cried Switzer scornfully as Romayne took his seat,
"the British Empire! at the first stern blow this ramshackle empire
will fall to pieces. Then Great Britain will be forced to surrender her
robber hold upon these great free states which she has stolen and which
she now keeps in chains." (Cries of "Never!" "Rot!" "Shut your trap!")
Switzer sprang to his feet and, shaking his fist in their faces, cried:
"I know what I am saying. This you will see before many months have
passed."

Again Romayne rose to his feet and waited till a silence fell upon the
audience. "Ladies and Gentlemen," he said solemnly, "this German officer
knows what he is talking about. That Germany within a few months will
make her supreme attempt to smash the British Empire I believe is
certain. I am equally certain that the result of that attempt will not
be what this gentleman anticipates and desires."

For some moments the silence remained unbroken. Then young Monteith
sprang to his feet and led the audience in a succession of mad cheers
that indicated the depth of passion to which they were stirred. After
the cheering had subsided Larry rose and in a slightly querulous tone
and with a humorous smile upon his face he said:

"Mr. Chairman, don't you think we are becoming unnecessarily serious?
And are there not certain things on which we all agree? First that
we are all Canadians, first, last and all the time. Secondly, that
we greatly respect and admire our American cousins and we desire only
better mutual acquaintance for our mutual good. Third, that we are loyal
to and immensely proud of our Empire, and we mean to stick to it. And
fourth, that Germany is a great country and has done great things for
the world. As to the historical questions raised, these are not settled
by discussion but by reliable historic documents. As to the prophecies
made, we can accept or reject them as we choose. Personally I confess
that I am unable to get up any real interest in this German war menace.
I believe Germany has more sense, not to say proper Christian feeling,
than to plunge herself and the world into war. I move, Mr. Chairman,
that we pass to the next order of business."

"Hear! Hear!" cried some. "Go on with the programme."

"No! No!" said others. "Let's have it out."

"Mr. Chairman," said Hec Ross, rising to his feet, "this