The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-31
specta, cobi, D.spotoh to tn, sus.


Britains present position, contends that
self-preservatiou compels her, n her eff
forts TO keep peace fail TO strike with all
her force for her own safety and that OF
her friends
She Is bound by moral obligations, the
Times continues, 20 side with France and
! Russia lest the balance OF the forces Of
| the Continent be upset TO her disadvan-
tage and she he left alone to face n pre-
| dominant Germany Her interests. the
| Times says. include the general interest
OF European equilibrium and
the more direct interest of preserving the
| Independence of Holland and Belgium.
The English cannot regard with indif-
} ference. the article continues. the posi-
bility Of German advance through Bel
Cium into the north OF France. which
Alght enable Germany TO acquire Ant
| werp, Flushing and even DuniIirk and
Calais as naval bases. England cannot
| AFFORD to await the realiztion Of such a
contingency. the Times concludes, and
| adds that German victory over France
would threaten British security. irremedia-
| bly,
| hopeful feature OF the situation is that
| active conversations OF a most cordial
nature continue between Sir Edward Grey.
the British Foreign Secretary. and Prince
Max Lichnowsky. the German Ambas-
| sador at London.
Sir Edward Grey asked Germany yes-
terday to suggest some form OF media
ton that would be acceptable to Austria.
Germany. while expressing n willingness
20 continue the mediation conversations.
has made no suggestion up to the present,
but urges Great Britain 10 advise calm
ness on the part OF Frame and Russia.
whose military measures make the posi-
ton OF Germany extremely difficult.
The Conservative press generally sup
ports the view that Great Britain will
have TO fight II the war becomes general.
Tho Morning Post expresses the belief
that the national instinct and purpose will
| not allow France to no crushed and will
participate In the war to prevent this.
The Daiiy Telegraph says:
I'VE belong to the European system
and must needs b. loyal TO those whom
We ask to be- loyal TO US. We owe allie
glance to the Triple Entente and intend
to discharge our debit
The Daily Mdii says:
when France is imperllled and fight
ing for her existence we cannot stand by
and SEQ our friend stricken down"
The standard is less certain as 10 wha,
should be done IT admits that II British
interests are closely affected 1t may be
necessary 10 support them by force, but
| SAYS IL will have to he made clear exactly
how and where British interests are In
vovod
The Radical Daily Netcs aud Leader
controverts the arguments In favor OF
British participation in general war.
It declares that honor. principle and in
terest alike dictate one course. namely,
absolute neutrality"
II is of little use to look to London's
! r slical press for guidance, but none can
| deny the significance Of the utterances
Of the great provincial LIBERAL organs,
rich as the Manchester Guardian and
the Liverpool Post. These papers. while
protesting strongly that the present quar-
| rel ia no concern OF EnEland's. show
plainly that they believe and fear that
the British Government for the moment
at least does seriously contemplate draw
ing the sword.
The Guardian referred Yesterday to the
phrase in Premier AsquIths speech IN the
House OF Commons Wednesday in which
he said that the situation is one OF ex-
IRENE gravity" and says:
at is a phrase rather more serious than
any used by any English Minister before
Mr.. Asqu!th does not use Idle phrases and
the words extreme gravity on his lips are
a danger signal OF which note must he
taken"
After saying that tho Engl shman's first
duty is to EnSland and the peace Of Eng
land the paper proceeded
although our neutrality ought to he
assured. II Is not. Mr.. Asouth speaks
with a brevity which would he natural.
perhaps. II we were directly concerned.
but quite unnatural II It were certain. as
It ought to be, that we should not he in
VOWED. Sir Edward Grey walks de-
lIberately past his opportunities by say
ing: We are and will he neutral In the
quarrels of Europe
From the Admiralty we have ominous
rumors OF naval concentrations and the
House of Commons hastens to efface H.
self by unanimously deciding not to dis
cuss the political uses to which the navy
may be put or Why it should be put to
any use at all in this crisis"
II the Guardian thus ftcrprets the
| seriousness OF the statements made
Wednesday by Premier Asquith and Sir
Edward Grey, those which these states
men made yesterday must be far more
disquieting to persons who are opposed
to Great Britain entering the fray. No
prominent man will consent TO give an
individual opinion on a question so mo-
mentous as this one especially while a
CLEAN Of hope remains.
A general conflict In Europe may vet
be avoided, but there is no question that
in substance and manner the statements
of the Premier and the Foreign Secre-
tary, combined with the universal seri-
BUSINESS OF the whole thinking part OF
the community and the openly expressed
fears of her adversarles OF British inter
vention. can only be interpreted as a
general acceptance. at present at all
events, that European conaagration will
see England involved.
Edward f.rnv tho prIttab