The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1914. STILL STANDING BY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 89, 5 August 1914, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1914. STILL STANDING BY.

The, Empire calmly awaits the worst. Sir Edward Grey lias told the world now that the recently-given British undertaking to France is not a declar- ! ation of war against Germany. At time of writing there have been no further aggressive developments, noi yet any serious conflicts between the active belligerents. The Empire rea- : Uses, however, that Britain is perilous. : ly near the brink of war. Man> ; thoughtful men feel also that sooner or later this war must come, and that Germany having issued her challenge in her own good time for the supremacy of Europe, that challenge had better be accepted, and taken up before a day comes when one arrogant military power, dominating Europe and dictating to all nations, may be in a position to force England to her knees. Britain does not want war—she has mad: that abundantly clear-—hut can she stand out ol the conflict at this tiiner Only, it seems, in one of two ways. by loss of honor or by Germany realising the falsehood of Jioj- cause and at once abandoning w; rlikc aggression. Britain's firm attitude and the careful utterances of Sir Edward Grey may' yet cause the madly militant, ruler o! Germany to stay his hand. The game is not to be so easy for Germany as she at first seemed to think, and with Britain's avowed intention of preventing the bombardment of the French coast, and Belgium's dignified refusal to facilitate German operations against Freiico, there appears to have been {■ailed a halt. Nevertheless the predominant partner in the Triple Alliance is unlikely to be stayed for any length of time from the ambitious course she has set out: before her unless the sword be wrested from her hand.