The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-08-03
ENGLAND CONFRONTED
BY FATEFUL PROBLEM
Country Should Take in Conflict
Which Convulses Europe.
DECISION is PRoBLE,rATICAL
Measures for Defense Are Taken,
Naval Reserves Called Out, Terri
torials Ordered to Headquarters,
and .Aeroplane Flights Prohibited.

London, August 2.-The greatest
suspense England has known in n CEN
tury was in evidence to-day. For hours
the Cabinet was in council. The whole
country thought II was wrestling with
the question whether Great Britain
should take UP arms in support OF the
triple entente
No official statement was made con-
corning the deliberations except that
the Premier would make an announce
ment In the House of Commons and the
Cabinet would convene In the morning
The government took three measures
for defense to-day. None Is inconss-
side the conflict If that should he her
policy. The naval reserves and naval
marine pensioners We're called out: the
territorials. assembled at the training
camps for annual practice. were or
dered to their headquarters: the Home
Secretary prohibited aeroplane flights
over the entire Kingdom and terri
torial waters. except by military craft.
FEELS OBLIGED TO TAKE
DEFENSIVE MEASURES
Great Britain would feel obliged to
take these measuFes with a great war
raging close TO her shores even IL
there We're no question of her partici-
patton. Censors took charge of all the
cable offices in the kingdom tonight
telephone communication with the
Continent was stopped entirely.
The King issued n proclamation de-
claring a moratorium for a month, and
the suspension of the banking act to-
morrow appears assured. Parliament
probably will pass bill for a loan for
defensive purposes to the amount of
$3.50, 100000. The newspapers of Eng
land are confronted with the possi-
bility OF a paper famine.
The peace movement continues, but
finds little popular response. The
Archbishop OF Canterbury and the
Bishop of London both spoke for peace
o-day. manifesto also emanated
from influential quarters quoting
Premier Asquith's recent statement
that Great Britain had no undetstan nd
ing with France and Russia which
would compel her to join with them in
war.
Lord Charles Beresford has issued
a letter calling upon the country
Ito pay n debt of honor to France"
He declares Great Britain would for
ever be disgraced in the eyes OF Eu-
rope If she failed.
officials to-day Communicated the
latest and most powerful motor
vehicles, turning out passengers and
using the cars for military and Red
Cross purposes
London remains extraordinarily calm.
Such scenes of enthusiasm as werr wit
messed at the time of the Boer War
have been almost lacking.
GREATEST ANXIETY
IN BUSINESS WORLD
The business world looks forward to
this weeks developments 18th the
greatest anxiety. Monday is bank
holiday. and banks will have time to
make arrangements against Il possible
Siege on Tuesday.
1t was said that Viscount Morley.
Lord President OF the council and WIS.,
count Haldanc. Lord High Chancellor.
! led the peace party. and that Winston
F, Spencer Churchill. First Lord of the Adj
| miralty. threatened TO resign If the
| government did not stand by it's un
! written agreement to support France
! against German attack.
J 1t is known that the Lanca shire
Liberals are putting pressure on the
government TO keep out of the conflict
| and 1T Is said Premier Asquith is in
/ nuenced by this. But the average
] EnGlishman is saying tonight that the
| government has no alternative after
! the neutrality OF Luxembourg has been
disregarded by Germany. and after
! Germany's refusal to say what her at :
utude would be with regard TO Bel
| g!um.
! AT big Socialist meeting in Trafal-
| gar Square tonight James Kcir Har-
! die. member OF Parliament. declared
! that Italy, although bound by treaty.
| remained neutral, and there was no
! reason why Great Britain should not
! He announced his intention OF calling
national strike against the war
| The railway stations are crowded
with German. French and other
! reservists. returning home
| The Board OF Agriculture states there
is sufficient wheat in the country to
supply the whole population for four
months, irrespective OF imports.
| The Daily Chronicle says that the
| Continued on Fifth Page)