"The last time I saw rows of chairs brought in and set down on floor of
the House for convenience of Members who could not find room elsewhere,"
mused the MEMBER FOR SARK, looking on from one of the side galleries,
"was in 1886, when GLADSTONE introduced his first Home Rule Bill. Twelve
months earlier, under guidance of Land League, Ireland was in a parlous
state. Coercion Act in full force. Jails thronged with patriots
convicted under its rigorous clauses. Still there were left at liberty
enough to maim cattle and shoot at landlords. If Germany had happened to
step in at that epoch it would have been a perilous time for England.
The House of Commons after many years' hesitation has offered to bestow
Home Rule upon Ireland and this is Ireland's first articulate response.
Her Nationalists range themselves with Ulster by the side of Great
Britain threatened by a foreign foe."
_Business done._--FOREIGN SECRETARY, amid prolonged cheers, announces
that England means to stand by France in the coming war, and will fulfil
her Treaty obligations to Belgium.
_Tuesday._--Rising from Treasury Bench PREMIER walked down House as if
he were about to leave it by glass door. Reaching the Bar he halted and
turned about to face crowded benches watching him with quickened
anxiety. Grave events have within the last few days made him the Herald
of War. What might be this new missive he held in his hand?
"A message from HIS MAJESTY," he said, "signed by his own hand."
Advancing to Table he handed document to the Clerk who passed it on to
SPEAKER. All heads were bared as Message was read. It announced that
Proclamation would forthwith issue mobilising the Regular Army and
embodying Territorial Forces.
This the significant supplement to statement made by PREMIER immediately
on SPEAKER taking the Chair. It told how telegram had that morning been
sent to German Government demanding assurance of maintenance of Belgian
neutrality.
"We have asked," said the PREMIER as quietly as if he were mentioning
request for early reply to a dinner invitation, "that a satisfactory
answer shall be given before midnight."
House knew what that meant. On the stroke of midnight Great Britain and
Germany would be at war.
A cheer almost fierce in its intensity approved the epoch-making
challenge. The House knew that England's hands were clean; that she was
spotlessly free from responsibility for the slaughter and sorrow, the
destruction of prosperous cities, the devastation of fruitful lands, the
breaking-up of Empires, that might follow on Germany's final
jack-booting of the emissary of peace.
Since the danger-signal was flung out by thrusting to the front the
puppet figure of aged AUSTRIAN EMPEROR making ponderous attack on little
Servia, EDWARD GREY, representing a Ministry supported by a loyal
Parliament and a united Kingdom, has night and day been tireless in
effort to avert war. If yielded to, such interference would be fatal to
plans, diligently elaborated in the dark over a period of months,
probably a full year, by our old friend and frequent guest, the GERMAN
EMPEROR.
Accordingly, after maintaining till last moment favourite disguise of
peacemaker "on easy terms with Heaven," WILLIAM, innocent sufferer by
"the menace of France," throws aside the cloak.
House of Commons' immediate response was to pass in five minutes all
outstanding votes for Army, Navy and Civil Services amounting to
£104,642,055.
_Business done._--PREMIER announces dispatch of ultimatum to Berlin and
imperative demand for answer before midnight.
_Wednesday._--Benches less crowded than hitherto during week of
tumultuous interest. Explanation forthcoming in fact that something like
a hundred Members belonging to Territorial Service have buckled on their
armour and responded to call of mobilisation.
PREMIER'S announcement that "since eleven o'clock last night a state of
war has existed between Germany and ourselves" hailed with deep-throated
cheer. Its volume nothing compared with that which burst forth when he
concluded statement with casual remark that to-morrow he will move a
Vote of Credit for one hundred millions sterling. Had he mentioned the
sum as an instalment paid in advance by Germany on account of war
indemnity House couldn't have been more jubilant.
BYLES of Bradford uneasy in regard to Bill introduced by HOME SECRETARY
authorising imposition of restrictions upon aliens in time of war or
great emergency. Thinks it might cause inconvenience to worthy persons.
Otherwise Government receive unanimous support for various legislative
proposals rendered necessary by state of war.
CHANCELLOR OF EXCHEQUER reports conclusions arrived at in conference of
leading bankers and manufacturers met at the Treasury to consider best
way of grappling with unprecedented financial situation created by
events of past fortnight. Happy thought to include in invitation his
predecessor at the Treasury. In accordance with patriotic spirit
obliterating party animosity, SON AUSTEN promptly accepted invitation.
Gives valuable assistance to LLOYD GEORGE in recommending proposals to
appreciative House.
In short, whatever may be happening in Belgium or the North Sea,
Millennium reigns at Westminster.
_Business done._--Many Bills advanced by various stages.
_Thursday._--In moving Vote of Credit for one hundred million sterling
PREMIER wholesomely lets himself go in comment on the "infamous
proposal" of Germany that for a mess of pottage (extremely thin) England
should betray her ally, France. Crowded House loudly sympathised with
righteous indignation.
Fresh burst of cheering when he pays finely phrased tribute to EDWARD
GREY, as the "Peacemaker of Europe."
Captain Lord DALRYMPLE of the Scots Guards lends opportune gleam of
martial splendour to bench where he sits arrayed in khaki uniform that
has seen service in the Boer War. The PREMIER'S eye catching a glimpse
of it, he with great presence of mind asked for authority to strengthen
the army by an additional half-million of men.
In its present mood the House denies him nothing.
_Business done._--Vote of Credit for £100,000,000 granted with both
hands.
_Monday, Aug. 10._--House adjourned till Tuesday the 25th.
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