Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - August 4, 1914, Winnipeg, Manitoba Manitoba free press Winnipeg tuesday August 4. 1914. Do had Grey s Fiji fable continued from Page Oneo Channel to bombard the coast we could not stand the foreign Secretary stated t the British Fleet had. Been sri lived and the mobilization of she British army was taking place Tot that no engagement had yet made by the British govern to Send an expedition Fleet is continued the French Iii the Mediterranean and Northern coasts of France Are defenceless. If a foreign flee tent aged in War against France hould come Down and Battle Quinat those defenceless coasts be could not stand aside. Will Aid Fiance we Felt strongly that France was support. T to i ave the engagement to me French ambassador last night that if fhe German Fleet goes into Tje of gosh Channel or into the North sea to at uck French shipping or the French wast the British Fleet will give All the Protection in its Power. That answer is subject to the approval of parliament. Its not a declaration of War. House broke into cheers. Understand that the German gov Ament would be prepared if we would pledge ourselves to neutrality to ree that its Fleet would not attack the Northern coast of France. That is far too narrow an engage House broke out into cheers at this remark. Edward Grey then recited tha ii Story of belgian neutrality saying our interest is As Strong to Day As it was a 1870. We cannot take a less serious View of our obligations now than did the late or. Gladstone in that year. Belgian neutrality. Wien mobilization began i Tele graphed to both the French and the German governments asking whether Tley would respect belgian neutrality is replied that she was prepared 3 do so unless another Power violated that neutrality. The German foreign Secretary re plied that he could not give a response before consulting the Imperial Chancellor and the German emperor he intimated that he doubted whether it was possible to an Ansof be cause that answer would disclose the German plans. Could not barter. We were sounded last week As to whether if belgian neutrality w6re re stored after the War it would pacify us and we replied that we could nol barter our interests or our another burst of cheers rented this declaration. Sir Edward Grey then read a Tele . From the King of the belgians to King George making a supreme a peal for diplomatic intervention to safeguard the Independence of Bel Gium. Should remain Neutral James socialist and labor member declared he was not persuaded that great Britain Wasi in danger nor her Honor involved. He convinced she should have remained Neutral. The House adjourned until 7 o clock ror a consultation Between the leaders of All the parties. _ Belgium s status. In other parts of his speech sired Ward Grey Gaid the intervention with Germany in regard to the Independence of Bel Sim was carried out by England last night. It the Independence of Belgium should of destroyed the Independence hoi Laid also would be the foreign Secretary then asked the House to consider what British inter ests were at stake if in a crisis like his we were to run refers this was greeted with loud cheers and sir Edward continued do not imagine that if a great Power stands aside in War like this t is going to be in a position to exert to influence at the end. I am not quite sum whether the facts regarding Bel Gium Are As they reached this govern ment but there is an obligation on country to do its utmost to pre rent the consequences to which those facts would Lead if they Are not opposed. We have As yet made no engage ment for sending an expeditionary Force out of this country but we have mobilized our Fleet Ana the mobilization of our army is taking place. Must be we must be prepared and we Are prepared to face the consequences of using All of our strength at any to know not Liow de fend ourselves. So far As the forces of the Crown Are concerned the i remier and the first lord of the admiralty no doubt whatever of their readiness and their they never were a a higher Mark of readiness. There never was a time when Confidence was Mere justified in thar ability text our shies and our if the sit f Tion develops v seems probable it will develop we. Face it. Germany s offer to Belgium. The entire communication made by the British foreign Secretary to the House of commons on his second appearance there today was As Lorows a message was received by. The belgian legation Here stating that Germany sent to Belgium at 7 o clock last night a note proposing to Belgium Friendly neutrality coupled with the free passage through Belgium Terri tory of German troops promising the maintenance of belgian Independence at the conclusion of peace and threat ening in Case of refusal to treat Bel Gium As an enemy the time limit of twelve hours was fixed for the re this statement was received with murmurs from All parts of the House sir Edward Grey continued would not sacrifice Honor. Belgium Ansa Vered that an at tack on her neutrality would be a flagrant violation of the rights of nations that to accept the German proposal would be to sacrifice her Honor and being conscious of her duty Bel glum was firmly tse olved to repel aggression by All possible the belgian reply was received with loud chewing by the .members1 and s in Edward concluded that the Declara Tion that government iad taken the information received into grave consideration and that he make no further comment German forces have captured Czestochowa Berlin aug. German Border troops from Silesia today after a Short skirmish with russians took Possession of Guenst Ochoa rus Sian Poland. Benzin and Kalasz rus Sian Poland also have been occupied by the germans. Sloop Shearwater seeking German boats in Pacific san Diego cal., aug. For action the British Sloop of War Shearwater hurriedly left the Harbor at "3.25 o clock this afternoon for the West coast of Mexico to join the British Sloop Algerine and the Canadian auxiliary Cruiser Rainbow. Before he left port commander Trousdale of the Shearwater gave out the information that the japanese Cruiser id Iima the Algerrie arid Rainbow from the German Leipzig and Nuernberg which yesterday off Magdalena Bay captured Che British Steamer Queen Maudy bound from Newcastle Australia for san Francisco with six thousand tons of Coal Don wore a Sabbath streets and packs were crowded the people in their Best clothes congregating around parliament and other govern ment buildings and at offices of the newspapers awaiting War save for the display Small flags there were no -.patriotic, demonstrations ;