El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-08-03
ENGLAND READY
To AID FRANCE
IN SEA ATTACK
If Coast Is Menaced, Britain
viii Protect Ally, Says
Foreign Minister.

z oNDON, Eng Aug. Sir
Edward Grey, British for
eign secretary, stated in the
house of commons today tEat the
house was free to decide what the
British attitude in the present En-
rSpean conflict should be.
Sir Edward added that Great
Britain had not committed herself
10 anything but diplomatic support.
Sir Edward Grey told the house
of commons that he had "Etven
France the assurance that II the
German fleet came into the Eng
lish channel or through the NORM
sea to undertake hostile opera
tons against the French coast or
shipping, the British fleet would
give all the protection in its
power"
..Ready to Face Consequence
Towards the close Of his speech Sir
Edward said:
we 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
defend ourselves"
Rallies to France.
Dealing with the question OF reat
Britain's obligations, Sir Edward Grey
said:
up to today we had given no promise
of more than diplomatic support /
was asked at the time Of the Algeciras
crisis If We would give armed support,
and I said 1 could promise nothing to
any foreign power unless II received
the whole hearted support Of public
opinion
7 gave no promise. but I told both
the French and German ambassadors
that if war was forced on France,
public opinion in the British Isles
would rally to France
This part Of the speech was re-
ceived with loud cheering
Army and Navy Mohlizing.
The foreign secretary stated that the
British fleet had been modified and
mobilization Of the British army was
taking place, but that no engagement
had yet been made by the British gov
eminent to send an expedition abroad.
He continued;
Northern Coast DefeneeIess.
The French fleet is in the Mediter-
rean and the northern coasts OF France
are defenceless. II q foreign fleet en-
gagged in war against France should
come down and battle against those
defeneeless coasts we could not stand
eve felt strongly that France was
entitled to know at once whether, IN
the event OF an attack on her unpro-
tected coasts, she could rely on our
support
Not Declaration Of War.
q gave the information TO the French
ambassador Sunday night that II the
German fleet goes into the English
channel or into the North sea to at
tack French shipping or the French
coast the British fleet viii give all the
protection in its power.
THAT answer is subject to the ap-
proval of parliament. II is not a decla-
ration of war against Germany
Andrew BOnar Law, leader Of the
opposition, warmly supported the gov
ernment and reported, amid cheers
pledges OF support received from the
British dominiOns-
Ireland STANDS Loyal.
Wild cheering from all parts OF the
house greeted John E Redmond, the
Nationalist leader, when he assured the
government that every soldier In Ire
land might be withdrawn tomorrow
and the coast of Ireland would be de-
Tended against invasion by her armed
sons. the Catholics Of the south ana
the Protestants Of Ulster.
General Consultation Planned.
James Ramsay Mcdonald, Socialist
and labor member. declared he was not
persuaded that Great Britain was in
danger nor her honor involved. He
was convinced she should have re-
manned neutral
The house adjourned until o'clock
for a consultation between the leaders
Of all the parties