DPENING OF THE WAR.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIV, Issue 14006, 10 March 1920, Page 2

DPENING OF THE WAR.

MR ASQUITH/S DECISION.

A good deal has been" heard of the Council at Potsdam ; Lord ; -'Haklaue. recently revealed' when and in what circumstances the decision . that this country should intervene in the war was reached. Lord Grey of ' Falloden (Sir Edward Grey, ask ,was then) was staying with' Lord' Haldane in Queen Anne's-gate during , the critical weekend. On the Sunday afternoon, Aug. 2, a telegram was received indicating that the-Germans were about to invade Belgium. Lord Grey decided to see Mr Asqurth atyonee. .and, in company with Lord Haldane, went round ! to the Prime Minister's private house. As events were to show; a few hours' delay meant victory or defeat for Germany. Ms Asquith read the message carefully, and then; without an instant's hesitation, remarked that the news settled the issue.; we should have/ to defend Belgium- at all costs. That prompt -adjustment :.o'f his/mind to-the emergency proved the most momentous decision in -the liistojy of civilisation, and on that: Monday—when the. military forces of this cbuntrv were mobilised . without, a hitch—Mr Asquith's intuitive; recognition that a principle, as well as a treaty, had been infringed, and that w e had to fight, was confirmed by Parliament.

The occasion of this interesting sidelight on the opening of the war was a luncheon given by Sir Arthur Spurgeon to Lord Haldane on the occasion of the publication of his book. "Before the War." It was largely attended. After the toast of.the Kiiig, Mr Asauith proposed tho liealth of Lord Haldane. and his tribute as -a. friend of 40 years, and a close political colleague, was endorsed in a long and most interesting speech by Field-Marshal Earl Haig, who spoilt in the warmest terms of tho incalculable debt of gratitude which, the country owed to Lord Haldane- for his work in reorganising- the British Army, creating- the Expeditionary Force, reconstituting the Territorial Aiiny, and developing on sound lines the General Staff.