AUGUST 4,1914

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 4 August 1931, Page 6

AUGUST 4,1914

DECLARATION OF WAR SPEECH THAT SHOOK THE NATION HISTORIC! DAYS RECALLED It was to-day—seventeen years <igo. A man with an extraordinarily pale lace stood in the House of Commons, lie spo for an hour—as few men in the annals of nations have the chance ot speaking. Sir Edward Grey told Britain it was war. The British ultimatum requesting an assurance from the German Government that the neutrality of Belgium would be respected had been despatched eaily in the morning, reminding Germany ot the numerous proofs of His Majesty s friendship,, and making a supreme appeal to the diplomatic intervention o the German Government to safeguaul the integrity of Belgium. “His Majesty’s Government are hound to protest against the violation of a treaty to which Germany is a party, in common with themselves,” concluded the ultimatum, “and must, request an assurance that the demand made on Belgium will not be proceeded with and that her neutrality will be respected b” '“ermany. However, the German Government s reply, given by Herr von Jagow, Secretary of State, was “No.” the following day the Commons stood to a man, and in an unforgettable moment a voice asked the Speaker if the National Anthem could be sung. For the first time in the history ol the British House of Commons, “God Save the King” echoed down the corridors of the building. Britain faced a day of breathless misery ending in despair. England and the nation had but only one thought. Disputes were forgotten. The Irish quarrel was declared ended. ' Big Ben chimed midnight —the nation was at war. Britain’s participation in the war was not generallv known in New Zealand until the afternoon of sth August, when His Excellency the Governor-Gene-ral, Lord Liverpool, read a cablegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to a large crowd assembled at Parliament. House, Wellington. Prior to making the announcement of the declaration of war His Excellency read the following message from His Majesty the King:— I desire to express to my people of the overseas dominions with what appreciation and pride I have received messages from their respective Governments during the last few days. These spontaneous assurances of their support recall to me the generous sacrifice and help given by them in the past to the Mother Country. 1 shall be strengthened in the discharge of the great responsibilities which rest upon me by the confident belief that in the time of trial my Empire will stand united, calm, resolute, trusting in God.

On the announcement in Nelson of Britain’s entry into the war a patriotic demonstration was held in the city .at the junction of Trafalgar and Hardy streets, and though arranged at very short notice several hundreds were present, and the proceedings were of a most enthusiastic nature. A lorry had been requisitioned and from that elevation stirring speeches were made by the then Mayor (Mr W. Lock), the Bishop of Nelson, Mr C. Y. Fell, president of the Nelson branch of the Navy League; Mr John Graham, ex-M.P. for Nelson ; Mr H. R,. Duncan, secretary of the Navy League; and Lieut.-Col. Grace. The Bishop and the clergy of the Diocese attending a service at the Cathedral, joined the gathering. The Dominion’s first active participation in the war was on 29th August when a force of New Zealand troops, under command of Colonel R. Logan, took possession of German Samoa.