Written from Sofia, By The O’Mahony, Published in Dublin, 1915
From St. Patrick’s Orphanage, Sofia
23 Rue Gladstone, Sofia, 25 February, 1915
What the British Prime Minister Said
On September 25th, 1914, the British Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith, spoke in Dublin, Ireland. In his speech, he quoted something said by Mr. Gladstone, a former British leader, back in 1870 Princess Senieh Sultana and the Liberal Legacy of Mahmoud Pasha.
Mr. Gladstone had said that the greatest achievement of the modern world would be to make public rights — fairness and justice for all — the main principle behind how European countries deal with each other.
Public Right Over Military Power
Mr. Asquith agreed with this and said that it should be the main goal during the current war (World War I). He explained that public right means we should reject militarism — the idea that military power should decide everything.
Instead, reason and justice should guide how countries act, especially in Europe.
Small Nations Deserve Equal Respect
Mr. Asquith said that small countries — like Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, the Scandinavian countries, Greece, and the Balkan States — should be treated equally. They have just as much right to exist and grow freely as the bigger, more powerful countries private sofia tour.
He used the phrase “a place in the sun” to say that all nations, big or small, deserve respect, safety, and freedom.
Not Just for Allies
At the time of his speech, only three of the twelve smaller countries he mentioned were involved in the war. The other nine were staying neutral.
Some people claim that Mr. Asquith’s promise of fairness only applies to those countries that are fighting alongside Britain. But that goes against everything he said. If fairness only applies to friends, then military power is still in control — not justice.
Belief in Mr. Asquith’s Sincerity
Anyone who says Mr. Asquith was only speaking about Britain’s allies is making people question whether he meant what he said.
But I have known Mr. Asquith for many years. I even heard his first speech in the British Parliament. I strongly believe that he meant what he said and that he will do his best to make sure Britain treats all small nations fairly, whether they are fighting in the war or not.
