The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-08-12
DEFINES ATTITUDE
BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY
TALKS TO COMONS.
PROTECT FRENCH COAST

Sir Edward Edward Grey Says He
Has Informed France That in Case
of Attack by German Fleet on
French Coast English Navy Will
Render All Possible Aid.
Sir Edward Grey, British foreign
secretary, stated in the House OF
Commons Monday that the British
attitude in the present European con-
fict should be. Dealing with the
question Of Great Britain's obliga-
tions, Sir Edward said:
Cup to yesterday we had given no
promise of more than diplomatic sup
port. I was asked if we would give
armed support and I said I would
promise nothing to any foreign power
unless it received the whole-hearted
support of public opinion. 4
81 gave no promise but told both
the French and German ambassadors
hat if war was forced on France pub
Ilic opinion in the British Isles would
rally to France"
This part Of the speech was receiv-
ed with loud cheering The foreign
|secretary stated that the British fest
has been modified and the mobiliza-
ltion Of the army was taking place,
but that no arrangements had yet
been made, to send an expedition
Iabroad. He continued:
| "The French fleet is in the Medit-
Ierranean and the northern coasts are
| tdefenseless. If foreign feet engas-
led in war against France should come
down and battle against those de-
fenseless coasts we could not stand
taside.
1; eve felt strongly that France was
Ientitled to know at once whether In
the event Of an attack on her un-
tprotected coasts she could rely on
our support.
u "I gave the engagement to the
French ambassador last night that Il
the German feet goes into the Eng
Ilish channel or into the North sea to
attack French shipping or the French
, coast the British feet viii give all
the protection in its power.
"That answer is subject to the ap-
: proval of parliament. 1t Is declara-
J ton of war.
81 understood that the German
government would be prepared II We
: would pledge ourselves be prepared
Iif we would pledge ourselves to neu-
trality to agree that its feet would
not attack the northern coast Oh
France.
; "That is far too narrow an engage
ment."
The House broke out into cheers at
: ithis remark. Sir Edward Grey then
Irecited the history of Belgian neutral
, Iity, saying:
"Our interest is as strong to-day az
il was in 1870. We can not take
less serious view of our obligations
now than did the late Mr.. Gladstone
in that year.
"When mobilization began I tele-
graphed to both the French and the
German governments asking whether
they would respect Belgian neutral
Iity. France replied she was prepared
to do so unless another power NO.
, lated that neutrality.
"The German foreign secretary re-
piled he could not possibly give a re-
sponse before consulting the imperial
chancellor, and the German Emperor.
He intimated that he doubted wheth-
er it was possible to give an asWer
, because that answer would disclose
the German plans.
awe were sounded last week as to
whether, il Belgian neutrality were
restored after the war, it would pac-
|ify US, and we replied that we couia
not barter our interests or our ooil-
. cations"
Another burst of cheering greeted
this declaration. Sir Edward then
iread telegraph from the King OF
the Belgians to King George making
a supreme appeal for diplomatic IN
l+eryention to safeguard the independ-
ence of Belgium.
| Toward the close OF his speech slr
Edward Grey said: eve must Dc
prepared and we are prepared to face
the consequences Of using all our
strength at any moment to protect
Yourselves"
Andrew Bonar Law. leader OF tne
Ionnosition, warmly supported the
lgovernment and referred amid cheers
/ to the pledges of support recelVeo
from the British dominions.
Wild cheering from all parts OF the
House greeted John e. Redmond tns
Nationalist leader, when ne assured
1.-The government that every soldier IN
IIrelan6 might be withdrawn to-mor-
Irow AMI the coasts of Ireland would
Ibe defended against invasion by nef
|armed sons. the Catholics OF tne
lSouth and the Protestants OF uister.
War and the Price of Cotton.