The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-23
ENGLAND'S ATTITUDE
IN WAR DEFENDED

SAID The most incomprdhensible feature |
OF the present confiagration is the attitude
of Britain. What does England expect ?
Why does she fightT'
There is no doubt that the "Oficiai
German Press Bureau" In New York has
circulated these questions, and because
there is no "Oficial English Press Bureau"
In this city venture to give the English
answer, which I am quite sure will be
heartily Endorsed by every impartial
American.
To take the last question first, why
does she fght?' She fights to preserve
the neutrality and territorial integrity Of
Belgium. to which Germany was also
committed by solemn treaty now in
famously violated. A glance at the map
will remind us that the neutrality and
territorial integrity of Belgium IL as vital
to Britain as. let us say. the territorial
integrity of Long Island to our United
States. The presence OF Germany in
Belgium would be about as acceptable TO
England as the occupation of Staten ISL
and by japanese to the State Of New
York. To quote Sir Edward Grey's speech
in the House of Commons on August
defining the policy OF the British Gov
eminent:
THE honor and the interest OF the
Powers guaranteeing Belgian neutrality
are at least as strong to-day as they were
In 1870. and We cannot take a more mar
row view or a less serious view o. our
obligations than was taken by Mr.. Glad
stones Government in 1870"
And Mr.. Gladstone. as Americans know,
was no lingo.
Not only the independence OF Belgium
| but OF Luxembourg was set aside by the
a. .nha, af tn all nd ha
man autocratic Government justified the
| words of Bismarck that In case OF war
treaties are not worth the paper they
are written upon" In word, Britain Is
| fighting TO uphold her honor as treaty
| making Power. She 10 also fighting for
her own preservation as a world Power.
| II is not less true that she is fighting for
the cause OF the independence OF the small
nations.
Britain's cooperation with France was
7 wholehearted and sincere. II was based
| on an understa nding between gentlemen
to use the popular phrase There was
| no quibbing about a treaty--whether We
| meant what we said or said what We
meant Britain's answer TO Germany's
breach OF international faith was sturdy
refusal TO assent to Germany's infamous
proposals of neutrality. This she fol-
lowed up by despatching her fleet TO the
North Seattle real strategic centre OF
| marine power just now-and her troops
to stand by Frances side.
That Britain's cooperation was whole
hearted you can realize by reading Mr..
Redmonds declaration OF Irish patriot
| ism in the House OF Commons.
THE wider knowledge OF the real
facts OF Irish history" said Mr.. Redmond,
has altered the view OF the democracy
OF England toward the Irish question,
and to-day I honestly believe that the
- x.yt11 t..r- n
the utmost anxiety and sympathy. to-
England In every trial and every danger
that may overtake IT,
To-day there are in Ireland two large
bodies Of volunteers. One OF them sprang
into existence in the north; another has
sprung into existence in the south
II say TO the Government that they
may tomorrow withdraw every one Of
their troops from Ireland. I say that the
coasts OF Ireland will be defended from
foreign invasion by her armed sons-and
for this purpose armed Nationalist Catho-
lies in the south will be only too glad to
Join arms with the armed Protestant
Ulstermen in the north"
Englands declaration to stand by the
side Of France was supported by the
unanimous vote OF the House of Com
mons, as II is supported to-day by the
unanimous voice not alone OF Britain.
but OF every section OF her widespread
empire
Britons everywhere with calm convic-
ton and with full consciousness OF what
this terrific conflict must Involve. realize
that anything would be better for their
country-anything than to stink away
like a frightened cur from the menace
OF the Prussian jackboot and risk the
imposition upon Europe, Of which Great
Britain is a part, OF the absolute domi-
nance OF a Power which can act as Ger
mans have acted In this crisis.
The sophistries OF Prof. Muensterberg
and other German pedants In this country
who describe this war as one merely of
Slav against Teuton will not appeal to
: Americans, who know from experience
that both races make good American
citizens and that as regards the second
generation born In the United States one
Is virtually indistinguishable from the
other
AS TO the German Chancellor's FIRST
question, What does England expect %
Two things chiefly, OF which the first is
the safeguarding OF the French coasts
and shipping from attack by Germany
Secondly she expects by sealing up the
| German fleet in her home ports or de-
feating II in the North Sea to maintain
the ocean trade routes for the ships OF
all countries except the enemy. Both
= these things England appears to he ac-
complishing satisfactorily. The Mediter.
I
t gic importance and there the warships
Of France and England are cooperating
to defeat the plans OF German and Aus.
e trian. Finally England has fulfilled hei
2 promise to land an expedtlonary force
estimated at 100000 men, for the assist
: ance of France and Belgium.
: England tried long, patiently and earn
estly to avoid war. 1t was due chiefly II
1 the efforts OF Sir Edward Grey that tn,
$ present catastrophe did not arise durins
q the first Balkan war England woult
e have made every conceivable sacrific,
v consistent with honor 10 perpetuate peace
= She has all the land she wants and
Z more. She has desired nothing better
= than TO be left alone In honest industr,
? and TO work with other countries for tn.
y advancement OF civilization. Since how
Y ever, Germany desired war and not peac,
y England expects she will have II and II
y full measure. Furthermore. England ex
r poets that the Power which has consti
4 tuted itself the mad dog of the European
. crisis will be 80 curbed shortly that tn