The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-27
VII
The Balance of Power.

/ have never doubted the good faith
of Sir Edward Grey in protesting his
devotion TO peace. He strove desper-
ately to prevent the war that devas-
,ates Europe. Peace was an English
interest. The famous balance of
power maintained Itself exactly even.
The British Government had nothing
To complain of
No sooner had France hurried her
self into the crisis by following Rus
STA to Armageddon than England was
confronted by a serious menace.
France being much the weaker must
be crushed by Germany. The ball
ance OF power, so delicately contrived
in London, would be thrown out of
gear forever France, to be sure,
might not lose a quarter mile of ter
ritory She would nevertheless emerge
too weakened to figure seriously in
the European concert. England, for
her own sake. must not permit the re-
duction of France to the level OF a
second rate over.
This consideration explains much
that went before. 1t accounts for the
growth of that entente cordiale" or
complete understanding between Paris
and London which dates from the
closing years Of the reign OF the late
King Edward 1t explains also why
England permitted herself to become
involved in the fate OF France rather
more completely than even Sir Ed
ward Grey may have realized.
We find him, two years ago at
least in animated correspondence
with the French Ambassador with
reference to the disposition Of British
fleets and French fleets in the event
Of war. There had been even prior
to this episode an exchange of views
hot 1s-Z he nv RI al n l.
tary. of these most friendly powers
They talked over what they would do
together in case war broke out with
Germany. The Cabinet in London was
not apprized of these things at the
time. The correspondence between
Grey and Cambon shows that even
before that date the French fleet was
stationed in the Mediterranean to po-
lice that route to the Indies while the
British fleet was concentrated in the
North Sea,
Thus was developed situation
which could not be changed at will
when the war broke out~-which could
not be altered. Sir Edward Grey told
the House of Commons as much very
bluntly some twenty-four hours be-
fore his government declared war on
Germany. Let me quote paragra phi
from his speech IT was delivered on
AUG USt IdSNr Hrft tItc tSduitI
istry had not declared itself on the
subject of peace or war with Ger.
many:
1.-The French coasts are absolutely
undefended. The French fleet is ir
the Mediterranean. and has for some
years been concentrated there because
of the feeling Of confidence and friend
ship which has existed between the
/ two countries My own feeling Ii
that If foreign fleet, engaged In 8
war which France had not sough
and In which she had not been ag-
gressor, came down the English Chan.
mel and bombarded and battered the
iundefended coasts of France, we could
not stand aside and see this COINS
on practically within sight Of our eyes
with our arms folded, looking on dis
ipassi doing nothing"
/ And in a few mements more Sil
Edward Grey told the listening Com
mons this:
What is France to do with he
fleet in the Mediterranean? If sh
leaves II there with no statement from
us az TO what we will do. she Leaves
her northern and western coasts alb
solutely unattended, at the mercy o
a German fleet coming down tn
channel, to do az II pleases In wa.
which is war of life and death be
tween them"
There was then. a factor. a de
cisive factor. determining England