The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-08-04
british House Of Commons
Hoots When German
Explanation is
Received.
AsoUITH MAKES SPEECH
ENGLAND Can Hardly Keep Out OF the
War Game and 10 Expected
Soon to Enter
In.
IBy Ed L. Keen, United Press Stalr
Correspondent

IBy Ed l. Keen, United Press STAR
Correspondent
LONDON, Aug. 4-Open sneers
and leers at kaiser Wilhelm, sensa-
4ionaIized tho sitting Of the commons
This afternoon. This was Enoiand's
answer to Germany's protestations
that she had been forced into war.
Premier Asquith's explanations OF
Germanys announced position toward
Belgium was fIouted by the members.
The advocates Of Immediate war far
outnumbered those who still raised
tnejr voices for further temporizins.
The united kingdom believes that
Germany has studiousiy carried Tor
ward a series Of insults designed to
provoke England and force her to as
sumo the onus Of war declaration.
To keep the record straight, Premier
Asouith formally demanded that Ger
many agree by midnight tonight -
respect BeIgium's neutrality. This ul'
timatum was useless, because before
II could be presented, Germany had
answered with war against Belgium.
That alone II there were no treaty
obligations with Russia and France,
would demand that England fight. Her
own coast line would be at the msr-
cy Of a hostile German fleet at all
times should Germany take over
kina AIberts kingdom.
The cabinet was In almost oontinu-
nj session today. Up to the assem-
biino Of the commons, the members
conferred. The peace members Wis
count Merely and John Burns, have
reslqned. That Of Itself was the most
significant development Of the day.
Mobilization OF the navy, eritaIn's
chief weapon. Is complete. Army
mobilization had progressed 90 far
that troops could be put In the field
at an hours notice. War 10 believed
Inevitable. Tho only question I,
when. Experts say tonight or tomor
row, but no ono can definitely cay the
hour.
Angry Cheers.
LONDON, Aug. An the house OF
commons this afternoon Premier AS
ouith announced that Germany had
sent a note to Belgium stating that
because Belgium refused to give Ger
many the needed facilities for moving
her forces against France, it would
lbe necessary for Germany to take
that right by force. This announce
lment was greeted with angry cheers
from the war party, Sho demanded
that England take steps at once to
guarantee the Independence of Bel
GUM.
Premier Asquith, in discussing the
German attitude towards Belgium en-
phatically confirmed the earlier state
iment that England had addressed a
very forcible note to Germany, insist
,dug that the kaiser respect the neu-
Itralfty OF Belgium. He stated that
the cabinet had agreed that Germany
would be given until midnight tonight
to reply.
Continuing his speech Premier As
,uuith stated that Germany only this
,morning had renewed her assurance
10 England that she would respect
TBelg1um's territorial integrity. This
announcement drew a chorus OF de-
trisiye cheers from every corner Of the
chamber.
Premier AsQuith made 1t clear thai
Germany had again fallen back upor
dts claim of French aggression to JUS
,tify her violation of Belgium. The
premier told the house Of commont
Germany had declared that she disre
earded Belgfum's neutrality and IN
vaded her territory 10 prevent ad
vance OF the French by this route
This answer as explained by Aspuitt
was obviously not accepted by the
commons.
Premier Asquith explained that al
England had demanded Of Germany
was that she give the same assur
ances regarding respecting Belgium't