The Press. TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1914 England and the War.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15037, 4 August 1914, Page 8

The Press. TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1914 England and the War.

While we must all approve the strenuous and unswerving efforts made by Sir Edward Grey to preserve tho peaco of Europe, and while wo hope almost against hope that it may not bo necessary .for England to throw her sword into the scale, there is not a Briton worthy of tho name who does not feel that at whatever cost Britain must be true to her allies, and must not shrink from her duty in the great world crisis. Ever sinco tho passing of tho German Navy Act, which clearly set forth in its preamble that tho object in viewwas to challenge England's Navy supremacy, thero has been a- growing conviction in the heart of tho British people that war _;th Germany was bound to come. If that is so, wo do not know that wo could hopo for a raoro favourable time than tho present. H cannot be said that tho occasion was of Britain's seeking. On the contrary, from the moment Germany's ally, Austria, made her savage attack upon Servia, tho efforts of British statesmen and diplomatists have been increasingly devoted to securing, if not an immediate restoration of peace, yet tbo strict localisation. of tho war. Germany, which at first appeared imbued with the same desire, suddenly made an im-

possible demand upon Russia to cease mobilisation, and when this was not complied with, launched a declaration of war against that Power. This, if yesterday's cable messages are to be believed, 'was followed by a German invasion of French territory. If the.se facts are true, it is difficult to sec how England can withhold assistance from France, who has thus been aggressively attacked. If England is now involved in tho war, no one can say it has been her own doing. She has been dragged into it against her will, and in spito cf her utmost efforts to preserve tho poaco If the long-expected conflict comes now, it will find us not only with rfcht on cilr tide, but also, we believe, in tho best possible position to meet it. Of the land forces of Russia and Franco competent observers havo given the most favourable accounts. They aro both believed to be in the highest state of efficiency. With Italy neutral, as seems likely to be the case, tho French and Russian forces largely outnumber the AustroGerman forces, and Germany and Austria will be under a considerable disadvantage from having to wage war on two frontiers, with tho additional disability, so far as Austria is concerned, of having in her midst a Slav population whose sympathies must largely bo with Russia as the great Slav Power. So far as the naval issue is concerned, England can look forward to tho result with confidence. Fortunately, despite the soothing 6yrup

administered to tho British public so seductively and persistently by German hands, the people, as tho striking demonstration outside Buckingham Palaco makes clear, havo remained alive to tho menace of the expansion of tho German Fleet, and even the preeent Government, supported as it is by a large pcace-at-any-price faction, has maintained our superiority in every arm of the service. We have tho ships, we have the men, and never in its history has the British Navy been more efficient, or its officers and men keener, than at .the present timo. Should wo bo forced into war, no timo will be lost in launching its dread majesty of power and terror against the enemy. Sir A. Wilson, in his position as Sea Lord, has defined tho true policy to be pursued, i.nd we have no doubt it will be acted upon. "The main object of "our Fleoit," ho said, "whether for ••' tho defence of commerce, or for any "other purpose, is to prevent any ship " of the enemy from getting to Bea far " enough to do mischief beforo sho is "brought .to. action." With Britain's supremacy at sea thus maintained, as we feel assured it will he, the trado routes will be kept open, and wo in tho furthest portion of the Empire can sleep securely in our beds.