英文原文
On Friday evening last I received HisMajesty's commission to form a new Administration. It as the evident wish andwill of Parliament and the nation that this should be conceived on the broadestpossible basis and that it should include all parties, both those who supportedthe late Government and also the parties of the Opposition. I have completedthe most important part of this task. A War Cabinet has been formed of fiveMembers, representing, with the Opposition Liberals, the unity of the nation.The three party Leaders have agreed to serve, either in the War Cabinet or inhigh executive office. The three Fighting Services have been filled. It wasnecessary that this should be done in one single day, on account of the extremeurgency and rigour of events. A number of other positions, key positions, werefilled yesterday, and I am submitting a further list to His Majesty tonight. Ihope to complete the appointment of the principal Ministers during tomorrow.the appointment of the other Ministers usually takes a little longer, but I trustthat, when Parliament meets again, this part of my task will be completed, andthat the administration will be complete in all respects.
I considered it in the public interest tosuggest that the House should be summoned to meet today. Mr. Speaker agreed,and took the necessary steps, in accordance with the powers conferred upon himby the Resolution of the House. At the end of the proceedings today, theAdjournment of the House will be proposed until Tuesday, 21st May, with, ofcourse, provision for earlier meeting, if need be. The business to beconsidered during that week will be notified to Members at the earliestopportunity. I now invite the House, by the Motion which stands in my name, torecord its approval of the steps taken and to declare its confidence in the newGovernment.
To form an Administration of this scaleand complexity is a serious undertaking in itself, but it must be rememberedthat we are in the preliminary stage of one of the greatest battles in history,that we are in action at many other points in Norway and in Holland, that wehave to be prepared in the Mediterranean, that the air battle is continuous andthat many preparations, such as have been indicated by my hon. Friend below theGangway, have to be made here at home. In this crisis I hope I may be pardonedif I do not address the House at any length today. I hope that any of myfriends and colleagues, or former colleagues, who are affected by the politicalreconstruction, will make allowance, all allowance, for any lack of ceremonywith which it has been necessary to act. I would say to the House, as I said tothose who have joined this government: "I have nothing to offer but blood,toil, tears and sweat."
We have before us an ordeal of the mostgrievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and ofsuffering. You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea,land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can giveus; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark,lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is ouraim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory inspite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; forwithout victory, there is no survival. Let that be realised; no survival forthe British Empire, no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for,no survival for the urge and impulse of the ages, that mankind will moveforward towards its goal. But I take up my task with buoyancy and hope. I feelsure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among men. At this time I feelentitled to claim the aid of all, and I say, "come then, let us go forwardtogether with our united strength."