The Dominion. TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1914. BRITAIN'S ATTITUDE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2219, 4 August 1914, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1914. BRITAIN'S ATTITUDE

L\_a few hours,_ perhaps before the publication of this issue, the Empire will know definitely whether it is to remain at peace or be plunged into war. The cable news to hand at time of writing states' that the Asquith Government has now decided on a course of action and that it will m ; ake'its decision known-to Parliament when it meets on Monday. That is to say, about 2.30 o'clock this morning in New Zealand Me. Asquith was making in London the momentous announcement for which the whole Empire has been waiting. From the . information available, the probabilities appear to .point to/war. Britain has striven for peace. Her statesmen used-every endeavour to bring about a peaceable settlement of the Austro-Ser-vian disagreement; and, failing in that direction, then attempted to so circumscribe the area of conflict as to enable Europe to .escape the-cal-' amity of a general conflagration. Again she failed. Austria was unyielding in ' her attitude of aggression, and Austria,, has been supported_ by Germany to the extent of plungintr Europe into what promises to be the most terrible strugglo the .civilised world has ever witnessed. Germany declared war against Russia and .without declaring war against France invaded French territory and committed acts of 'aggression plainly intended to provoke hostilities. These are not the acts of nations desirous of peace. For years Germany has been preparing for the day when she could issue her challenge for supremacy in Europe and the day has come. The Kaiser has chosen his own time and the/blow by which he seeks to overthrow the balance of power in Europe is aimed as much at Britain as at any of the Great Powers on the Continent itself. The defeatyof Russia and France would make the position of Germany such that it must be a standing menace _ to the peace and security of the British Empire. J ■ ' That is the situation' with which Britain is faced to-day. She • docs not want war, hut can she stand by idle while a life-and-death struggle, ■vitally affecting the interests of her whole Empire, is being fought at her doors ? For many years now the menace of German ambitions, .has been held over tho British people. Germany, not content with the possession of the most perfect and powerful military organisation in the world, set out to • challenge the greatest naval Power, and has pursued unswervingly her policy to place. Britain at a disadvantage, There is' not a nation to-day which has not

recognised the peril to the world's peace that lies behind the soaring ambitious of Germany. Now the blow has fallen. The fact that it'has been •directed in the first place against the friends of Britain and not against Britain herself does not relieve Britain of her responsibility. Much as an Empire may desire to avoid .war it is always possible that the time may come when it is not merely desirable, but essential to its future existence, that it should draw the sword. That time would seem to have come now to the .British nation. Apart from its obligations to France and Russia—and it is plain that it is at least under some moral obligation to France—Britain _ cannot stand aloof without sustaining injury to her prestige and probably building up a still graver peril to be faced at a -future day. War means loss and hardship and _ suffering, but the people of Britain and their descendants who havo settled in the Dominions overseas will not shirk the' sacrifice when the issues at stake involve tho honour and integrity of the Empire. Mb. Asquith's announcement may reach us at any' moment and/ circumstances point to the probability that we shall learn that war has become unavoidable. The Empire will find New Zealand ready. ■