New-York tribune., 1914-08-04
Crowds Besiege Parlia-
ment Demanding Govern
ment Side with France.
BRITISH NAVY
IS FULLY MANNED
Army Will Mobilize To-day and
Lord Kitchener May Be New
War Minister.
Inv cabls 10 Tbc TrIbune !

London, Aug. 3. ne august baNN
holiday was celebrated in bondon
chiefly by the massing in the streets Of
many thousands Of people stoiidly,
yet without signs of deep anxiety,
awaiting the decision of the leaders
of their government as to whether
Great Britain shall plunge into
greatest conflict Of all the ages.
"Whip Germany" seemed to be the
sentiment actuating the bulk OF the
multitudes, and extra editions OF the
evening newspapers announcing pacific
utterances by Sir Edward Grey in the
House Of Commons were received gen
orally without enthusiasm. In many
cases criticism was heard of the gov
ernment's failure TO reply to Ger
many's warlike activity with battle
ships and guns.
The man i'm the street makes no
bones about wanting war, though ne
displays his sentiment ip phlegmatic
manner that is thoroughly English.
Cheering was infrequent, except upon
the occasional waving Of Union Jack
by a war enthusiast or for army 0fft-
GERS in uniform entering the War
Office. Ministers, emerging from the
Cabinet meeting, also received scatter
ing applause, particularly Winston
Churchill. presumably because his al
ways martial spirit fitted in with the
mood Of the throng. Popular Members
of Parliament, driving through White
hal. toward St. Stephens, were also
warmly greeted when they were recog..
nized, but no evidence was seen Of
such frenzy as actuated the populace
Of Berlin and Paris in the days imme-
diately preceding the outbreak of hos
tilities.
Crowds Await Decision.
The crowds mostly wore waiting
air. as if expecting sensations. And
sensations came thick and fast
throughout the day. The newsboys
CARRYING extras were pounced upon by
eager men and women, and the papers
were fairly torn from them. The keen
est interest centred on the doings in
the House of Commons, particularly
on the statements from Sir Edward
Grey and Mr.. Asquith, ut what little
news of Germany's activities filtered
through from the Continent was also
closely followed.
Among the great crowds in the
streets it would have been impossible
to find single person who did not be
leve England to be on the point of
opening hostilities against Germany,
and it would be difficult to discover,
except among the socialists, anybody
who was opposed to the country being
involved in the war. Since the hostile
reception accorded TO their riotous as
semblage in Trafalgar Square yester-
day the anti-war element appears to
have subsided into complete silence.
Socialists Are Silent.
To-day there were no signs anywhere
of either socialism or anti-mil ilitarism.
Had any one ventured to protest against
the strife believed to be impending it
probably would have gone hard with
him. The crowd was orderly at all
times, but, underlying the outward
cheerness, there was grim resolve to
uphold the glory of England at any
cost, and woe betide the man who would
dare interfere with that determination.
Trafalgar Square was the principal
gathering place of the crowds, who
moved thence down Whitehall and
through Parliament street to the
houses of Parliament street TO the
sembled the biggest host of all. The
entrance to Downing street from White
hall was guarded by a Gordon of police,
who permitted nobody not having busi~
ness with officials 20 pass toward the
Premier's residence. The multitude
moved slowly and aimlessly from place
to place in a steady stream, well regu-
lated by many police, both on foot and
mounted. Everywhere were heard COM
parisons between the scenes to-day and
the "mafficking" of the BOer war period,
and it was agreed that the present
spectacle was far more extraordinary
than the wild scenes then.
Another gathering point of the crowds
was the chief recruiting station in a
side street near the War Office, on
whitehall, where every man entering
to enlist got some cheering and good
deal of chatting. The first event OF the
day for spectators at Downing street
was the visit to Lord Lansdowne and
Mr.. Bonar Law to Mr.. Asquith's resi-
dence for a conference with the Premier,
three-auarters of an hour before the
Cabinet meeting. called for 1915 a. m.
The two Unionist leaders were obliged
to raise their hats several times in re-
sponse to the enthusiastic welcome ac-
corded them.
Prior to the Cabinet session it be-
came known that urgent communica-
tions had passed between Mr.. Asquith,
i'll. All the members of the Cabinet
attended the session, to which all tele-
grams coming to the Foreign Office
were sent as soon as they arrived.
Foresce Coalition Government.
Afterward Mr.. Bonar Law again Wis
tied the Premier and later conferred
with Mr.. Lloyd George. Ex-Premicr
Balfour also conferred with Mr. As
auith. Then came the report that an
understanding had been reached be-
tween the government and the Union
ist leaders with regard TO what busi-
ness should be transacted by Parlia-
ment between now and the prorogation
of the House.
"The Evening Standard" says there
is every probability of the formation
of coalition government in the Brit
ish Isles to tide over the present crisis.
A strong belief was prevalent that
Field Marshal Earl Kitchener is about
to be appointed British Minister of
War. His return to his post in Egypt
was cancelled to-day.
Navy Is Fully Manned.
The Admiralty announces that the
mobilization of the navy was completed
in all respects at 4 o'clock this morn
ing. This was due to the measures
taken and the voluntary response OF
the reserve men in advance Of the royal
proclamation.
The Admiralty has issued an order
prohibiting the use of wireless within
the waters of the United Kingdom BY
merchantmen and the vessels mus,
dismantle their apparatus when or.
dered.
1t was officially stated here to-day
that the British army would mobilize
Tomorrow.