Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-02-08
HALLS ACT OF j. S.
WITH ACCLAMAT|0N
Former Premier Asquith Says
German Challenge Is Taken
Up With Dignity.
MEMORABLE EVENT IN WAR
American Ambassador Center of
Marked Attention at Open
ing Of Parliament.

LONDON. February King George.
in "pcninS Psi'liamen, to-day. said ina.
tho response Of tho allies 10 tho invi
tation Of the President nf tho United
states outlined their aims a. far as
could be done At present, TIL. King
added: Threats OF further ou,ragcs
upon public order ana the common
rights of humanity serve to steel our
determination"
King George said IN part.
For tn" tiird time in succession |
summon YOU TO your deliberations in
the midst Of war. Certain ovcrturcs q.
which YOU arc aware have been made
by the enemy with a view to opening
peace negotiations. Their tenor. how
ever. indicated no possible basis OF
peace. Ny people throughout the ON
piro and my faithful and heroic allies
remain stea dfaStly and unanimously re-
solved 70 secure the just demands for
reparation and restitution in respect to
the past and for the future which We
regard as essential 10 the progress 4
civilization.
I'm r; Sponse TO an invitation by the
President of the United States OF Amer
ca. have outlined so far as car
l.. done at present the general objects
necessarily implied by these aims.
Threats Of further outragcs upon
public Law and the common rights OF
humanity will but serve 10 steel our
determination more"
MEANS TNSPARING DEMANDS
On ENERGIES AND RESOURCES
.+fter brief reference 10 the work
OF the British naval and land forces
and the coming conference Of British
overseas dependencies, the King con-
cludsd
You viii he asked to make ncccs-
sary provision for effective prosecution
OF The war. Accomplishment OF the
task to which have Sc, my hand will
entail unspa ring demands on tho ensr-
sios and resources OF my subjects. |
am assured however that my people
will respond to every call necessary
for the success OF our cause with tho
same indomitable ardor and devotion
that have ,iiled me with pride ana
gratitude since the war began. I,
therefore. confidently commend to your
patriotism the measures which viii he
laid before YOU. and pray that Al
mighty Cod may give Ills blessings 10
your counsels.
The scene within the House Of Lords
as King George read his speech pre-
sented a striking military spectacle
in marked contrast TO the usual civil
procedure. Tho King wore a uniform
Of an admiral of tho heet. The escor;
of Their Majcsties included Admiral
Jcllicoe Firs, Sea Lord; Lieutenant
Sir William Robertson. chief OF the
. imperial general STAFF. and Field Mar
chief of the armies in the United
the left OF Their MajcS;ics, thirty ono
were in khaki
AMERICAN AMBASSADOR
CENTER OF INTEREST
Walter Hines Page. the American
am mbtssador. occupied a front scat in the
diplomatic box imm ediately TO the right
OF the thrones. Recent events had
made rim the center OF marked attcn-
ton. the lord justices. bishops and
peers leaving their places TO greet him
The Lord Chief Justice. in impressive
robes. even paused as he entered the
cha mber for cordial exchange with
the American ambas dor. Lords
Bryce, Northcline and Eeresford were
among those who exchanged greetings
with Mr.. Page.
In addressing the House OF Com
mons. former Premier AsQUith de-
scribed Germany's new naval policy
as one OF "undisguised savagery." lie
said il was not worth while discussin z
the motives which actuated the Ger
man government The novel feature o,
it was that il was direct and defiant
challenge TO the conscience and TO the
interests OF the entire neutral world
This declaration OF war on neu-
trality." continued Mr. Asouith. lis 4
challenge which has been taken un
with dignity and without delay by the
greatest OF neutral states. 1t is not
for us to forecast the bearing OF this
memorable event on the future OF the
war. Still less is il fitting for us 10
tender advice or suggestions 10 gov.
ernment which is we'll able TO take
care of itself. We shall hail with ac-
! clamation. with a strain OF family
pride, the stern and resolute deter
mination OF the other great English
| speaking power 10 Illustrate the onor-
nifty OF those who have abundantly
earned for themselves the title OF enc.
niles OF the human race"
AsoUITH VOICES FEELINGS
ON ROLE or NEUTWALs
| Andrew Bonar Law. the Chancellor
| OF the ENcheQuer. in addressing the
Commons. expressed satisfa ction Ia
what he alluded to as the perfect man
ner in which former Premier ,aspuith
had voiced the feeling of the country
on the role Of the neutrals in the face
of the submarine menace.
| Bonar Law said he did not minimize
the submarine danger. but that some
OF the best brains in the Country were
concentrated upon the problem, and
he was not without hone. whatever the
ravages OF submarines might be. that
som netting might he done TO ropla ce