New-York tribune., 1914-08-04

7 mcnt Tor ScndlEg an tNPtui'iV, e''
force out OF tins country, but VIC have
modified our feet and the mobillza-
tion of our army is taking place.
"We must be prepared and we are
prcparcd to face the consequences OF
using al our strength at any moment
we know not how soon-to defend
ourselves.
British Forces Ready.
$50 far as the forces of the Crown
arc concerned the Premier and the
/ First Lord Of the Admiralty have no
doubt whatcvcy of their readiness and
their efficiency. They never were at
a higher mark of readiness. There
never was a time when confidence was
more justified in their ability to pro-
tect our shores and our commerce.
"1f the situation develops as IT
seems probable it will develop &c shall
face il.
81 believe when the country realizes
what is at stake it will support the
government with determination, with
resolution and with endurance
/ From all parts of the House there
came roars of cheering. In preceding
part of his discourse, while discussing
/ the question of Belgium, Sir Edward
had said:
T at is said we might stand aside and
husband our resources in order to in
I tervene in the end and put things
right. If i'm a crisis Of this kind we
! ran away from our obligations Of hon
/ or and interest with regard to the
/ Belgian treaty | doubt whether what
ever material force we might possess
at the end would be of much value in
/ face of the respect we should have
lost"
Peace Costly Also.
At this Sir Edward was interrupted
by loud cheering. He continued:
/ az we engaged in war we shouli
: suffer but little more than if We stood
aside. We are going to suffer terribly
in this war whether this country IS at
peace or war; for foreign trade is going
70 stop"
Sir Edward gave an explanation Of
what occurred during the Moroccan
crisis Of 1911. He said he took pre-
olscly the same view in 1912. He con-
tirued
1T was decided that we ought to nave
a definite understanding in writing and
that the conversations which had
passed between military and nava! OFF,
GERS of France and England were not
binding on either side"
The Foreign Secretary then read
letter he wrote on December %, 1912,
tn the effect that if either governmea:
had grave reason to expect an unpro
voked attack by third power it should
discuss whether both governments
should act together 10 prevent aggres-
sion. He then continued:
"Thst is cur starting point and that
statement clears the ground as to the
settlement of our obligations.
Servian Dispute a Beginning.
"The present crisis has not originated
in a matter which principally concerns
France. No government and no copn-
try had less desire to be involved in
the Austro-Servian dispute than France.
France was involved because of its OBJ
legations of honor.
ave must be prepared and we are
prepared TO face the consequences Of
using all our strength at any. moment
we know not how soon, in order to de-
fend ourselves.
ave have along standing friendship
with France. As to how far thaS friend
ship entails obligations, let every man
look into his own heart and feelings
and construe the extent of our obliga-
tions."
Andrew Bonar Law, leader Of the
Opposition, warmly supported the gov
ernment He said he was sure the
country had taken the course II had
because it had been forced upon the
country and, in his opinion, England
had absolutely TO alternative.
John +. Redmond, the Irish Nation
, alist leader, said there was POSSIBLE
ity that from the present situation
might arise a result which would be
good for the future welfare and integ-
, rity Of the empire. When Mr.. Redmond
assured the government that every SOL
der in Ireland might be withdrawn to-
! morrow and the coasts of Ireland
! would be defended against invasion by
her armed sons, the Catholics Of the
South and the Protestants of Ulster,
wild cheering broke. out afresh.
Discordant Socialist Note.
James Ramsay Macdonald, Socialist
and Labor member, declared he was
t, not persuaded that Great Britain was
in danger nor her honor involved. He
was conviPced she should have re-
mained neutral.
Sir Edward Grey, in a second state
ment in the House of Commons after
the conference Of ministers in regard
TO the German ultimatum to Belgium,
said:
"A message has been received from
the Belgian Legation here stating that
Germany sent to Belgium at o'clock
last evening a note proposing 10 Bel
gium friendly neutrality. coupled with
the free passage through Belgian ter
ritory Of German troops, promising
the maintenance Of Belgian indepcn-
dence al the conclusion of peace and
threatening in case of refusal to treat
Belgium as an enemy. The time limit
of twelve hours was fixed for the re-
ply" -
This statement was received with
murmurs from all parts Of the House,
and then Sir Edward Grey continued;
Belgium answered that an attack on
her neutrality would be fragrant vio-
lation CT the rights Of nations; that TO
accept .he German proposal would be
TO sacrifice her honor, and, being con-
scious Of her duty, Belgium was firmly
resolved 20 repel aggression by ell pos
gible means
The Belgian reply was received with
loud cheers by the members, and Sir
Edward concluded with the declara..
/ tion that the British government had
/ taken the information received into
grave consideration and that he would
make no further comment.