The great meeting at the Guildhall on Thursday week gave
an enthusiastic send-off to the new Loan. Mr. Bonar Law explained the terms in a very direct and lucid manner, and Mr. Lloyd George roused his audience with eloquence and good cheer. The Rome Conference, said the Prime Minister, was one of the most businesslike Conferences he had ever attended. The parties separated with the feeling that " if victory was difficult, defeat was impossible." More and more the Allied peoples were looking to Great Britain. He wanted teo see cheques " hurtling through the air into the entrench- !thefts of the enemy." Extravagance cost blood. It was worth millions to save the life of one of our splendid men. Tho Old Country was the best investment in the world. The response to the appeal has so far been wonderfully encouraging. If it continues— but it must continue—the Loan will be not only a success, but a tremendous success. Within twenty-four hours very largo sub- scriptions were announced, insurance companies, municipalities, and firms of all kinds taking up the Loan freely. The Prudential Assurance Company, for instance, subscribed £20,000,000. There was also a rush-of small subscribers for what is certainly one of the best and safest investments on record.
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