New Britain herald., 1914-08-28
BELGIAN HfRO|SN
 LAUDED IN ENGLAND
AsquiIh and Boua Law Pay Hlgh
 Tribute to HsrOt RcslstaLet.

London, Aug. 2s.-Premier Asquith announced in commons yesterday that Field Marshal French, commander of the British force. mad reported he was engaged Wednesday against supe- rior German forces. The British troops fought splendidly and Gen. French considered the prospects in the impending battle satisfactory. Premier Asquith added: Gen. French speaks in high terms of the quality and efficiency of the French regular troops and their officers"
 On Premier Asquith's motion the
 house adopted an address to King George praying his majesty to convey to the king of Belgium an expression
 of the admiration of parliament of Belgium's heroic resistance to the German invasion.
 House Adopts Motion. Premier Asquith and Andrew Bonar Law, the unionist leader, each in turn, paid high tribute to Belgian bravery and the house then adopted the mo- tion with enthusiasm.
 Premier Asquith, in moving the ad- pressing sympathy with Belgium, said - The war which is now shaking co the foundations the European system, originated in a quarrel in which this country had no direct concern. We strove with all our might, as every one now knows, to prevent its outbreak. When that was no longer possible, we strove to limit its area. Threw Away scabbard. "It was only when we were con- fronted with the choice between keep ing or breaking our solemn obliga- tions in the discharge of a binding trust and shameless subservience to naked force that we threw away the scabbard. We do not repent our de- cision. 'The issue was one which no self respecting nation, certainly none bred and nurtured like ourselves in this ancient home of liberty, could, with. out undying shame, have declined. We were bound by obligations, plain and paramount to assert and main. tain the threatened independence ot d small and useful state. Belgium had no interests of her own to serve. save and except the | one supreme and overriding interest of every state, great or little, which is worthy of the name-the preserva- tion of her integrity and her national life. .t.. ~ Fell on Small States. History tells us that the duty of asserting and maintaining that great principle, which, after all, is the well-spring of civilization and prog ress, has fallen at the most critical m moment in the past on states of rela- lively small area and population. but of great courage and resource. Never, I venture to say, has this duty been more clearly and bravely acknowl- edged, never more coursgeously and heroica1ly discharged than during the last few weeks by the Belgian kins and the Belgian people
 They have faced without hinching and against almost incalculable odds the horrors of invasion, devastation. spoliation and outrage. They have stubbornly withstood and successfully arrested the thrush, wave after wave. of a gigantic and overwhelming force~ The defence of Liege will always be the theme of one of the most inspir- ing chapters in the annals of lib- erty.
 Win Immortal Glory.
 "The Belgians have won for them- selves immortal glory, which belong to a people who prefer freedom to {. ease and security even to life itselfs. We are proud of their alliance and their friendship. We salute them with respect and honor. We are with them heart and soul, because, bv their side, we are defending at l. the same time two great causes-the independence of small states and the sanctity of international obligations.
 we assure them today in the name of this united kingdom and the whole empire that they may count to the end on our whole-hearted and unfailing support"
 Law Seconds Motion.
 Mir Law. seconding Premier As- ouiths motion, said:
 This motion will command the warmest approval not only of the house of commons but of the nations engaged in this struggle, which was not sought by them and which neith- CT their wisdom nor their forbearance could have averted. The Belgian army has offered a resistance against overwhelming odds which has been as conspicuous as heroic, and which has won the admiration of the whole world"
 John Redmond, on behalf of the Irish nationals, said he associated himself with everything that had been said. by the prime minister and MT. Law. Continuing he declared: