The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1914. ON THE BRINK.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2220, 5 August 1914, Page 6

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1914. ON THE BRINK.

The anxiously awaited announcement of Britain's attitude and intentions in connection with tho war made in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon by Sir Edward Geey, British Foreign Secretary, leaves little room for doubt as to what the ultimate result must be. Sib Edward Grey's pronouncement indicates unmistakably that the position, so far as Britain is concerned, is just as critical as it possibly can bo apart from the actual declaration of war. It is not surprising to be told that in Canada war with Germany is now regarded as inevitable. The same feeling exists in Australia and New Zealand. Indeed, the whole 'Empire 1 is hourly expecting tho news that hostilities have commenced. 'Sir Edwakd Grey has now expressly stated that Britain will not leave the French coasts unprotected, and if tho German fleet comes into the Channel or tho North Sea to undertake hostile operations' Britain will. : give France all the assistance in her power. This shows clearly enough that the British Government has firmly made up it's mind to face the extreme contingency, of war, for it is almost inconceivable that Germany could allow her great navy, to lie idle,while.a. continual supply of foodstuffs was pouring into by sea routes. Such a, state of affairs would place tho Germans at an enormous disadvantage. According to a later message the Foreign- Minister jaut. the case for Bri-

tish intervention even more strongly. He asked tho House of Commons to consider_ what would be the position of Britain if Franco were beaten and subordinated to Germany, with Belgium, Holland, and Dehmark under the same dominating influence. Ho concluded with these significant words:

If wo ran away from our obligations, honour, and interest regarding the Belgian Treat} , , ho doubted whether any material force would'lx3 of much value in face of tho respect we should have lost. Such, craven conduct would not be tolerated by tlie British people-' if any Government were weak enough to suggest it. It would be almost equivalent to-the abdication of Empire, and Britain would be humiliated in the eyes of the whole world. .But'the fact that the mobilisation of the British Navy has. already been completed, and the mobilisation of thejArmy has now commenced, may be 'regarded as an unmistakable guarantee that the Imperial Government has no intention \of deserting its friends or running away from its obligations; but is .determined to do its duty with all its might. The British Empire is of ono mind in the present crisis. The vast-majority of its people have now come to the conclusion that the Empire must inevitably take part in the great struggle. This conviction is not based on rumour and speculation, but upon the well weighed words of Sir Edward Grey himself. Some days ago he declared that should, a third Power 'tako a hand in the conflict between Austria and Servia, tho. position would at once become '. critical. Since _that_ statement the gravity of the situation has enormously increased. Germany has moved with ruthless determination. She has declared'war on Russia, and the Kaiser's armies have invaded France without any declaration:of war, and have ruthlessly trampled upon the rights of Luxemburg, a neutral Stato v JThc latest advices show that tho neutrality of Belgium and Holland is now threatened by the same aggressive Power. No one knows what nation may. receive the next blow from tho "mailed fist." It may be Britain herself, and it is therefore satisfactory to know that Britain is prepared and ready td act at a moment's notice. That Germany's aggression will force her'to participate in the ' struggle now seems beyond all question.