80 PEESONAL INFLUENCE OF GREAT COMMANDERS IN THE PAST. 



more marked effect than in cases where the poUtical power is in the 

 hands of another." 



That applies to-day just as much as it did in the times of Alexander, 

 and I imagine most of us here to-day will agree that if the negotia- 

 tions now going on at the Peace Conference in Paris had been left 

 in the hands of the military leaders of the Allied Armies instead of 

 in the hands of the politicians of some twenty different countries, 

 we should have a better prospect of a quick settlement than we 

 seem to have at present. 



Lt.-Col. Mackinlay drew attention to the fact that notwithstand- 

 ing the great number of scientific mechanical inventions now used in 

 warfare and the immense amount of organization now involved in 

 military operations, that the man behind the gun remains the 

 important factor, and the influence of the general on the fighting 

 men still remains paramount. 



Sir George Scott -Moncrieff has drawn attention, he said, to the 

 good discipline inspired by great captains, and especially by the 

 high religious ideals of Cromwell and Gustavus Adolphus, fighting 

 for religious liberty ; the Christian characters of many of our own 

 commanders in our great war have doubtless contributed to the 

 success, which was granted to us after the widespread day of prayer. 



Lt.-Col. Mackinlay then proposed a sincere vote of thanks to 

 the learned Chairman, Professor W. P. Ker, for presiding, and for 

 his helpful opening of the discussion. 



Seconded by Mr. Hoste. Carried unanimously. 



