Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-08-03
England Promises to
Defend France Against
Attacks by Germans
BY Associated Press

London, Aug. Sir Edward Grey
told the House of Commons that he
had given France the assurance that
if the German fleet came into the
English Channel or through the North
Sea to undertake hostile operations
against the French coast or shipping
the British would kive all the protec-
ton in its power"
Sir Edward said: when the d0cu-
ments are made public it will be seen
how genuinely and Fundamentally we
have made efforts to preserve the
peace"
Dealing with the question of Great
Britain's obligations, Sir Edward said:
up to yesterday we had given no
promise of more than diplomatic sup
port. l was asked at the time of the
Algeciras crisis if we would give arm
ed-support and l said 1 could promise
nothing to n foreign power unless
it had the support of public opinion.
Would Rally to France
Il gave no promise, but l told both
the French and German ambassadors
that if war was forced on France pub
lie opinion in the British Isles would
rally to France"
This part of tbs speech was received
with loud cheers.
Sir Edward added that If a foreign
fleet came down the English channel
to lombard the Franch coast, I'VE
could not stand idle"
The foreign secretary stated that the
British fleet had been modified and
the mobilization of the British army
was taking place but that no engage
ment has been yet made by the British
government to send an expedition
abroad. He continued:
THE French fleet is in the Mediter-
ranean and the Northern coasts of
France are defenseless. If a foreign
fleet engaged in war against France
should come down n battle against
those defenseless coasts we could not
stand aside.
Wants France to Know
I'VE felt strongly thai France was
entitled to know at once whether in
the event of an attack on her unpro-
.tected coast she could rely on our sup
port.
"I gave the engagement to the
French ambassador last night that If
the German fleet goes into the English
channel or into the North Sea to at
tack French shipping or the French
boast the British fleet will give all the
protection in it's power.
THAT answer is subject to the APP
.proval Of parliament. 1t is not a dec
.laration of war.
L understand tina lHe Iell HAL 6ON-
eminent would be prepared If we
would pledge ourselves to neutrality
to agree thai it's fleet would not at
tack the northern coast of france.
That is far too narrow an engage
ment."
The House broke out into cheers at
this remark.
Sir Edward Grey then recited the
history of Belgian neutrality, saying:
"Our interest is as strong to-day as
1t was in 1870. We cannot take a
less serious view of our obligations now
than did Mr. Gladstone in that year.
when mobilization began 1 tele-
graphed to both the French and the
German governments asking whether
they would respect Belgian neutrality.
France replied that she was prepared
to do so unless another power vio-
lated that neutrality.
1.-The German foreign secretary re-
piled that he could not possibly give
a response before consulting the I'm
perial Chancellor and the German en-
peror. He intimated that he doubted
whether it was possible to give an ans
wer because that answer would dis
close the German plans.
I'VE were sounded last week as to
whether, If Belgian neutrality were
restored after the war. 1T would pacify
US and we replied that we could not
barter our interests or our obliga-
tons"
Another burst of cheering greeted
this declaration.
Sir Edward Grey then read a tele-
gram from tne King of the Belgians to
King George making a supreme appeal
for diplomatic Intervention to safe
guard the independence of Belgium.
Toward the close of his speech Sir
Edward Grey said:
I'VE must be prepared and we are
prepared to face the consequences of
using all our strength at any moment
we know not o soon, in order to
defend ourselves"