WHAT ENGLAND IS FIGHTING FOR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1283, 11 August 1914, Page 4

WHAT ENGLAND IS FIGHTING FOR.

SPEECH BY PREMIER ASQUITH. London, August 7. In the course of his speech in the House of Commons asking for a vote of a hundred millions, Mr Asquith said posterity would pay Sir Edward Grey the best tribute that he was a statesman who never derogated tor an instant or an inch the honour and interests of the country and strove as few have striven to secure universal peace. He commented on Herr Von Bethmann Hollweg’s offer regarding the French colonies and small States, and pointed out that, while an assurance was given regarding the independence and neutrality of Holland, there was no mention of Belgium’s neutrality. Without seeking to inflame the passions, without seeking to incite the feeling against Germany, be asked the House to consider what proposals amounted to. They meant that behind France’s back Germany should be given a free license to annex France’s extraEuropean possessions. What reply could we make in view of Belgium’s appeal, which none could read with an unmoved heart ? The Belgians were fighting gallantly and sacrificing lives, and we would have been obliged to say that without Belgium’s knowledge, we had bartered away to a Power threatening her our obligations to keep our plighted word.

None knew better than the Ministers the terrible and incalculable suffering associated with war. With that awful overpowering consciousness they have thought it their duty as well as in the interests of the country to go to war. He felt sure the country agreed that the sword had been unsheathed in a just cause. (Loud cheers.) They were fighting for the principle that reliance could be placed on the national good faith. “Now we have entered on the struggle let us make sure,” he said, “that all the resources, not only of Britain, but of the vast Empire, are thrown in,the scale.”

He mentioned that India was prepared to send troops, and would supply at least two divisions. What England is Fighting For. Mr Asquith added : “If asked what are we fighting for, I would say : Firstly, to fulfil our solemn international obligations, which if entered into between private persons would have been obligations of law and honour which no self-respect-ing man would repudiate. Secondly, we are fighting to vindicate the principle that small nations are not to be crushed in defiance of international good faith and at the arbitrary will of a strong, overmastering Power. The Government asked for a free hand in spending a hundred million sterling, which would be applied not only for military and naval operations, but also for as-

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sisting the food supply and promoting the continuance of trade and industry. “The House,” he added, “will agree it is wise to extend the ambit of a vote of credit this way. It would be a great disaster if the Government were unable to make provisions which would be more needed than under the simpler conditions of former days for the ramification of expenditure which a state of war between great Powers must entail,”

After paying tribute to the efforts of ludia and the overseas Dominions, Mr Asquith concluded [ “It is not the purpose of any patriot to inflame the feeling or excite the animosities ; the situation is far too grave. We have a great duty to perform and a great trust to fulfil, and we are confident Parliament and the country will enable us to do it.”

Mr Bonar Law (Leader of the Opposition) said he was optimistic enough to believe that too gloomy a view was being taken regarding the effect of credit. Five-sixths of Britain’s production was employed in the Home trade, and the total exports to all belligerents did not exceed the exports to India and Australia. The war was due to human folly, and human wickedness, but neither the folly nor the wickedness lay upon England. It was Napoleonistn over again, “but, thank Heaven, so far,” he said, “we know there is no Napoleon.” Mr Ponsonby, on behalf of the Radicals, heartily supported the Government. All stood shoulder to shoulder. The hundred million vote and the increase in the Army were both adopted with tremendous cheering.