Weighty Words

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 93, 10 August 1914, Page 5

Weighty Words

SPEECHES IN THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT. London, August 7. In the House of Commons Mr Asquith, in the course of a speech asking for a AOte of £100,000,000, said that none knew better than Ministers the terrible,incalculable suffering associated with war. With that awful overpowering consciousness they have thought it their duty as well as in their interests to go to war. He was sure the country would agree that they had unsheathed the sword in a just cause. (Loud cheers). They were fighting for the principle that reliance could lie placed in national good faith. Now we had entered the struggle let us make sure that all the resources, not only of Britain, but of the vast Empire, were thrown in the scale. He mentioned that India was prepared to send troops, cdHainly two divisions. Mr Asquith continued: Posterity would pay Sir Edward Grey the best tribute—that of a statesman who, never derogating for an instant or an inch the honor and interests of the country, had striven as few had striven to secure universal peace. Proceeding, lie commented on Herr von BethmannHollweg’s offer regarding the French colonies and small States, and said that whereas an assurance was given regarding the independence and neutrality of Holland, no mention of Belgium’s neutrality had been made. Without seeking to inflame passions, and without seeking to incite feeling against Germany, he asked the House to consider what the proposals amounted to. They meant that, behind France’s back, Germany should be given a free license to annex France’s txtra-Europeau possessions. What reply could we make to Belgium’s appeal, which none could read with an unmoved heart ? The Belgians were lighting gallantly, and sacrificing their lives. We would have been obliged to say that without Belgium’s knowledge we had bartered away to the Power that was threatening her own obligations to keep our plighted word. Mr Asquith added: “If you are asked what we are fighting for, you can say, firstly, to fulfil our solemn international obligations which, if entered between private persons, would have been an obligation of law and honor which no self-respecting person could repudiate; secondly, we are fighting t<> vindicate the principle that small nations are not to be crushed, in defiance of international good faith, at the arbitrary will of a strong overmastering power.” The Government, he said, asked a free hand in spending a hundred millions, which would he applied not only to military and naval operations, but to assisting the food supply, and promoting a continuance of trade and industry. The House would agree that it was wise in this way. It would be a great disaster if the Government were unable to make provision which was more needed than under the simpler conditions of former days for the ratifications of expenditure which a state of war between the ,Gi'eat Powers must entail. After paying a tribute to the efforts of India and the overseas Dominions, Mr Asquith concluded,: “It is not the purpose of any patriot to inflame a feeling of excitement ox - animosity. Ihe situation is far too grave. We have a great duty to perform, a great trust to fulfil. I am confident that Parliament and the country will enable us to do it.” Mr Bonar Law said he was optimistic enough to believe that top gloomy a view was taken regarding the efiect on our credit. Five-sixths of Britain's production was employed in the home trade, and the total exports to all belligerent-; did not exceed the exports 'to India and Australia. The war was due to human folly and human wickedness, hut neither the folly 7 nor the wickedness lay upon England. It was Napoleon over again,but thank heaven, so far as we know there is no Napoleon. Mr Ponsonhy, on behalf of the Radi cals, heartily supported, saying that all stood shoulder to shoulder. The hundred million vote and increase in the army were both adopted amid tremendous cheering.