HC Deb 11 November 1918 vol 110 cc2463-4

35. "This Armistice to be accepted or refused by Germany within seventy-two hours of notification."

Those are the conditions of the Armistice. Thus at eleven o'clock this morning came to an end the cruellest and most terrible War that has ever scourged mankind. I hope we may say that thus, this fateful morning, came to an end all wars.

This is no time for words. Our hearts are too full of a gratitude to which no tongue can give adequate expression. I will, therefore, move "That this House do immediately adjourn, until this time To-morrow, and that we proceed, as a House of Commons, to St. Margaret's, to give humble and reverent thanks for the deliverance of the world from its great peril."

Mr. ASQUITH

I am sure that the House, without any distinction or difference of opinion, will agree with the Motion that the Prime Minister has made, and that the course which he proposes to adopt is the only one which is consonant with our feelings and with those of the country and the Empire. With regard to the terms of the Armistice as read out I will simply say this: It is clear from it that its acceptance by our enemies means not only that the War is at an end, but that the War cannot be resumed; and I join with a full heart in his aspiration not only that this War may not be resumed, but that now we have entered upon a new chapter in international history, in which war will be recognised as an obsolete anachronism, never to be revived. As the Prime Minister has said, there is nothing that we can do in conditions so unexampled as these than as a House, and on behalf of the nation, to acknowledge our gratitude to Almighty God.

Question, "That this House do now adjourn," put, and agreed to.

Mr. SPEAKER

I propose to proceed at once to St. Margaret's, and I will invite the House to follow, very much in the same order in which we proceeded on the 4th August last, namely: I will go first with the Mace; then I invite Privy Councillors to follow in fours, as far as may be, in order of precedence, and then the rest of the House will fall in behind. We will occupy the seats in the Church all down the nave on the South side.

House adjourned accordingly at Seventeen minutes after Three o'clock, until To-morrow, at a Quarter before Three o'clock.