"ACTION RATHER THAN SPEECH"

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2260, 21 September 1914, Page 5

"ACTION RATHER THAN SPEECH"

KING GEORGE'S ADDRESS TO PARLIAMENT "PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC LAW OF EUROPE" (Rec. September 20, 5.5 p.m.)' _ London, September 18. ' Tho King in his speech proroguing Parliament to October 27 said:—"Circumstances call for action rather than speech. After the Government, had made every endeavour to preserve peace, I was compelled to go to war in the assertion of treaty obligations deliberately set at naught, and for the protection of the public law of Europe and the vital interests of the Empire. . The Navy and Army havo sustained a just and righteous cause with increasing vigilance, courage, and skill, in association with gallant and faithful Allies. A' spontaneous and enthusiastically to the common flag has come from every part of the Empire. AVe are fighting for a worthy purpose, and shall not lay down our arms until the "purpose has been achieved." The members of the House" of Commons, led by Mr. Will Orookes, Labour AJ.P. for Woolwich,'sang the National Anthem and cheered the King. MR. ASQUITH REVIEWS THE SITUATION. (Rec. September' 20, 2' p.m.) London, September 19. Mr. Asquitk, speaking at a recruiting meeting at Edinburgh, said that Britain had no direct concern with Austria's quarrel with Servia. A settlement was actually in'sight when Germany deliberately made war on Britain. It was a well-founded belief of leaders of .German thought that German domination carried with it the supremacy of.German culture, and that an infusion of the German spirit was tho best thing that could happen to the wotM. Of this German culture and spirit the Kaiser's armies were now missionaries in Belgium and France. That which was specifically a German world movement during.the last thirty years had been.a side development of the doctrine that the supreme and ultimate progression of i human affairs arose from material force. In the pursuit of this doctrine Germany believed that treaties were only pieces of parchment, and that all ' talk about the rights of tho weak and the obligations of the strong was only nauseating cant. This, added the speaker, had turned out a very purblind philosophy, and had led the Kaiser into grave miscalculations Tegarding the British Empire. After six weeks of war full supplies of food and raw material were reaching our shores, and our industries, with one or two exceptions, were able to maintain their activities.. Unemployment so far had not boon seriously in excess of the average. Tho monetary situation had improved, and every effort was being made to re-establish foreign exchange. • Meanwhile Britain's supremacy at sea was not seriously questioned. The Fleet was still patiently waiting to try conclusions with the Germans. The Army had revived the most glorious records of the past, and had shown itself equally splendid in retirement and advance. Sir John French and his gallant officers and men would be long remembered.