在這個莊嚴的時刻,也許是我國歷史上最生死攸關的時刻,我向每壹位民眾,不管妳們身在何處,傳遞這樣壹個消息,對妳們的心情,我感同身受,甚至希望能挨家挨戶,向妳們傾說,我們中大多數人將面臨第二次戰爭,我們已多次尋求通過和平方式 香港喬治六世加冕紀念
解決國家間的爭端,但壹切都是徒勞的,我們被迫卷入這場戰爭,我們必須接受這個挑戰,如果希特勒大行其道,甚至文明秩序將毀於壹旦,這種信念褪去偽裝之後,只是對強權的赤裸裸的追求,為了捍衛我們珍視的壹切,我們必須接受這個挑戰,為此崇高目的,我呼籲國內的民眾以及國外的民眾以此為己任,我懇請大家保持冷靜和堅定,在考驗面請團結起來,考驗是嚴峻的,我們還會面臨壹段艱難的日子,戰爭也不只局限於前線,只有心懷正義才能正確行事,我們在此虔誠向上帝祈禱,只要每個人堅定信念,在上帝的幫助下,我們必將勝利!
戰時演講詞(英文原文)
In this grave hour, perhaps the most fateful in history, I send to every household of my peoples, both at home and overseas, this message, spoken with the same depth of feeling for each one of you as if I were able to cross your threshold and speak to you myself. For the second time in the lives of most of us, we are at war. Over and over again, we have tried to find a peaceful way out of the differences between ourselves and those who are now our enemies; but it has been in vain. We have been forced into a conflict, for which we are called, with our allies to meet the challenge of a principle which, if it were to prevail, would be fatal to any civilized order in the world. It is a principle which permits a state in the selfish pursuit of power to disregard its treaties and its solemn pledges, which sanctions the use of force or threat of force against the sovereignty and independence of other states. Such a principle, stripped of all disguise, is surely the mere primitive doctrine that might is right, and if this principle were established through the world, the freedom of our own country and of the whole British Commonwealth of nations would be in danger. But far more than this, the peoples o 喬治六世頭像銀幣
f the world would be kept in bondage of fear, and all hopes of settled peace and of security, of justice and liberty, among nations, would be ended. This is the ultimate issue which confronts us. For the sake of all that we ourselves hold dear, and of the world order and peace, it is unthinkable that we should refuse to meet the challenge. It is to this high purpose that I now call my people at home and my peoples across the seas, who will make our cause their own. I ask them to stand calm and firm and united in this time of trial. The task will be hard. There may be dark days ahead, and war can no longer be confined to the battlefield, but we can only do the right as we see the right, and reverently commit our cause to God. If one and all we keep resolutely faithful to it, ready for whatever service or sacrifice it may demand, then with God's help, we shall prevail. May He bless and keep us all.[6]