THE WAR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 10, 29 August 1914, Page 3

THE WAR.

No Regrets

"EUROPE SHAKEN TO ITS FOUW DATIONS." QUARREL IN WHICH BRITAIN AND BELGIUM HAD NO CONCERN j [By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright] 1 [United Press (Association.] j Loudon, August 28. 1 Mr Asquith, the Premier, speaking in the House of Commons, said: — j ‘Tiie war has now shaken the whole of Europe’s system to its foundations. It originated in a quarrel wherein Great Britain had no concern, and it was only when Britain was confronted with the choice between keeping or breaking her solemn obligations in the discharge of a binding trust, and with shameless subservience to naked force, that we threw away the scabbard.” The Premier continued;—"l do not repent our decision. The issue was one which a great and selfrespecting nation, bred and nurtured in this ancient home of liberty, could not, without undying shame, have declined. Belgium had no interests of her own to serve, except the supreme interest of preserving her integrity and her national life. History tells us that the beauty of assorting and maintaining that great principle, which is, after all, the w'ell-spring of civilisation and progress, has fallen at critical times to States of relatively small area and population, but of great courage and resources—(cheers) —on Athens, on Sparta, on the Swiss Cantons, and three centuries ago, on the Netherlands. Never has duty been more bravely acknowledged, or more heroically discharged, than during the last few weeks by the Belgian King and people. They faced without flinching almost incalculable odds, the horrors of devastation, spoliation, and of outrage. (Cheers.) The Belgians have won that immortal glory which belongs to a people who prefer freedom to ease and security, even to life itself. We salute them with respect and honor. We are with them heart and soul, because they are defending two great causes—the independence of small States and the sanctity of international obligations. They can count to the end on our wholehearted and unfailing support.” Mr Bonar Law (Leader of the Opposition) said: — "Our admiration and sympathy are not confined to the Belgian army, but go out to the x>eople who are enduring horrors of war which ought to be impossible among civilised nations. Whatever doubts there may have been regarding the necessity for Britain engaging in the war have been removed by what is happening in Belgium. This wai is in reality a struggle of civihsaton against brute force, not loss brutal because it has at its disposal the material resources of inventions of science.”'' Mr Redmond suggested that the ton-millions should not -boa, loan, but i? or-r • " j •" , .( . it gift- . :,UA .-I'’ , -.•! ■ "JUST FOR A SCRAP OF PAPER.’ FINAL INTERVIEWS BETWEEN diplomats. KAISER ADDS INSULT TO INJURY. London, August 28. The Foreign OlEce has issued tin text of Sir W. E. Goschen’s despatch to Sir Edward Grey tin rupture of relations with Germany. In the final interviews with Hr. von Bethmann-Hollweg (Imperial Chancellor) and Herr von Jagow (Minister for Foreign Affairs), the lattei declared that it was absolutely necessary that the German troops should pass through Belgium. It was a matter of life and death to Germany to advance in the quickest and easiest way. Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg was oreatlv agitated. Flo’said the step taken "by the British Government was terrible to a degree. _ Just for the word "neutrality,” which had so often been disregarded in war time, jus for a scrap of< paper, Great Britain was going to make war on a kindred I nation, who desired nothing bettei than to be friends with her. Sir W. E. Goschon protested | against the insinuations that Great Britain was responisblo for the war. He intimated that Great Britain would keep her solemn compact. ■ _ I The Gorman Chancellor interjected : "But at what price will the compact have been kept? Has the Britiish Government thought of that?” The British Ambassador replied thal fear of consequences could hardly be regarded as an excuse for breaking a solemn engagement. Sir Edward Goschon adds: “Dr von Bethmann-Hollweg was so oxcitec and overcome by the news of our action, and so little disposed to hear tlu reason, that I refrained from adding to the’ final flame by further argument.”

Following upon the mob’s attack on tlio Embassy after tho declaration of war, the Kaiser sent a riiessago by bis aide-de-camp regretting the occurrence, but adding; “At the same time, it will give you some idea of the people’s feelings over Great Britain’s action in joining the other nations against their old allies of Waterloo. The Kaiser bogs that you will tell the King that ho has been proud of the title of a British field-marshal, hut ho must now divest himself of those titles.”