"
"Those things happened early in the war. We are doing much better now.
England had not expected war. We were totally unprepared."
And in the great analysis that is to come, that speech of the Queen of
England is the answer to many questions. England had not expected war.
Every roll of the drum as the men of the new army march along the
streets, every readjustment necessary to a peaceful people suddenly
thrust into war, every month added to the length of time it has taken
to put England in force into the field, shifts the responsibility to
where it belongs. Back of all fine questions of diplomatic negotiation
stands this one undeniable fact. To deny it is absurd; to accept it is
final.
"What is your impression of the French and Belgian hospitals?" Her
Majesty inquired.
I replied that none were so good as the English, that France had
always depended on her nuns in such emergencies, and, there being no
nuns in France now, her hospital situation was still not good.
"The priests of Belgium are doing wonderful work," I said. "They have
suffered terribly during the war."
"It is very terrible," said Her Majesty. "Both priests and nuns have
suffered, as England has reason to know."
The Queen spoke of the ladies connected with the Guild.
"They are really much overworked," she said.
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