The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-08-05
Silently Waiting.

/
Great Britain has mobilized her
forces and is silently waiting for ev-
ents. Today she is not a belligerent
power nor is she neutral one.
The government has given France
assurance that the British fleet will
not allow the German fleet to attack
the French coast. It has not pledged
itself to contribute an army to the
continental war.
The British government regards
with the deepest distrust Germans
violation Of Belgium's neutrality, but
makes no declaration as to whether it
! considers that measure provocation
for war.
The pronouncement. of government
j.policy-the result of two days almost
continuous deliberations-was made
to the House Of Commons late today
by Sir Edward Gray, secretary of
state for foreign affairs, the trying
hour of suspense for the British peo-
pie is prolonged Indefinitely.
Pleads Germany's Cause.
Meanwhile the German embassy in
London is exertiag every effort Of di-
plomacy to induce Great Britain to
hold aloof from the conflict and to
bring public opinion to Germans side.
The counsellor Of the German embas-
sy issued strong appeal for the neu-
trality of Great Britain asserting that
Germany would agree to keep her
fleet from attacking the northern and
western coasts of France if England
would pledge neutrality, and argued
that England would gain more in the
end by standing outside the European
war and using her influence as medi-
ator when the moment was ripe.
Referring to this suggestion the
British foreign secretary said:
have only heard that shortly be-
fore I came to the house. He raised
his voice and raped the table before
him sharply, declaring: "But that is
far too narrow an engagement"
Sir Edward Gray dispelled the
shadows OF doubt which flickered over
the triple entente in the minds of ma
ny liberals by exposing some mile
stones in the history of the reproach-
ment, revealing it as essentially ma
tional one with France, without defi-
mite obligations. ..
Finally, on one tremendously vital
question: question upon the an
swer of which the British empire and
the whole world are hanging-wheth-
e. the government considers that the
German policy compas Great Britain
to wage war, the foreign secretary left
an impression of doubt.
Inference Drawn.
That doubt may reflect the mind of
. cabinet not wholly unanimous, and
the Interpretation drawn by many is
that Sir Edward Gray's speech to Ger
many was hint that if she will keep
her soldiers off Belgian soil and her
battleships away from the coast of
France, that will be the price of
Great Britain's armed neutrality.
The first outbreak of patriotic en-
thusiasm since the possibility arose
Of England becoming involved in the
war, occurred in London tonight, as
crowds of Englishmen and Frenchmen
in West End, waving flags and sing
ing national anthems. When they
reached Buckingham palace, in re-
sponse to great outburst of cheering,
the king, queen and Princess Mary ap-
peared on the balcony and bowed ac-
acknowledgement Of the enthusiastic
/ demonstration of loyalty.
Long Live the King.
This did not satisfy the crowds;
which chanted: "We want King
George" and sang "Rule Britannia" "
This finally brought the king and the
queen out again. They were accom-
panied by the Prince Of Wales and
received another noisy greeting. The
demonstration lasted several minutes
and for a long time after the royal
ties had retired the people continued
to sing patriotic songs.
King George and Queen Mary were
heartily cheered when they drove in
the parws in the afternoon and great
crowds remained around the palace,
the House of Parliament and Down
! ing street.
The people generally, were un-
demonstrative, APPARENTLY being more
curious than excited. Occasionally
there was cheering as some cabinet
minister passed and when the guards
at the palace gates were changed. But
on the whole, Londoners preferred to
spend the holiday in their usual quiet
manner.
Anxiety Shown.
AS, evening drew on, however, and
anxiety increased as to the attitude
the government intended to adopt, the
people became more excited. Winston
Spencer Churchill, as he walked from
the adimarity to the commons, was
greeted with cries of Good Old Win
ston."
Premier AsQuith was greeted in a
similar manner and was escorted from
his home to the precincts of the House
by cheering crowd, and other mem
bers OF the cabinet, as we'll as mem
bers OF the House, received cheers as
they passed into the historic building
to hear what England intended to dc
in the hour Of her crisis.
John Redmond, Irish Nationalist
leader, came in for a splendid recep'
tion as he left the House, the news o1
his speech, in which he said that ev-
cry soldier could be withdrawn from
Ireland, having preceded him.
Field Marshal Lord Roberts, the
Marquis of Landsdowne, and Andrew
Bonar Law, leader of the opposition