THE BRITISH PRESS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 151, 1 August 1914, Page 9

THE BRITISH PRESS.

, OBLIGATIONS OF THE NATION. ',.' SAYS'jDUTY IS PLAIN. ~ ..-;■■•.»•-• ■:■■■'.■. r::--L'OND*6ji; , .■■■• There is much discussion in the lobbies and the . newspapers' oil Great Britain-'s position !in the event off a European conflict. Mr Asquith's replies to Lord Cecil and Mr King on Maxell irj and 24, lJ)i;{, are re-called. > A meeting of Liberal M.P.'s strongly objected to newspaper comments assuming that the eouhtry was under'treaty obligation to take part . ..in Contrnental hostilities, v j Lord '.Lamingtoiv, ; in a letter to the ! newspapers, dealing; with the statement •that fidelity to. the; Entente renders it .{necessary for Great Britain to .participate, in'such a war, re-calls >lrA*quitl;?*s j statements,-and adds that the idea of [the balance of power is antiquated. J The safety of India and the oversea j Dominions is of, greater importance ithan..-the possible defeat of France.

'•'The Times" declares that if France

and Germany mobilise Great Britain J s duty is plain. "We must make instant preparations to back our friends. > 11 Britain.', stands aside when the vital in.teres.ts.:of our friends are- at stake we should justly find; ourselves ailesertfed'in Great -rßitaift'H hour <of trial. ..ro J£ the: A.ngel \of Deatt, descends w« must pay ; tun* share of the- fell tribute.~with -sfiout hearts.. ■V. ■.,■■ i -. ■ ■•■ : • -'.-: - : .>■ The ""/Morning oFsf says the general intention of ; Englishmen is not: to look on at the crushing of France, but to.take ; part in r war to prevent its. ac-r eomplishment. r INDIA, AND DOMINIONS. ~' [[, GUARDING THEIR INTERESTS,

The "Daily Telegraph" says- the Continent is waiting to know what Great Britain wUJ do. If the worst' comes to the worst we will help our friends of the Triple Entente in every

gani.se the British nation to meet the new ■ conditions' of Europe has left us dependent on ■■■■foreign allies. We can be.'true to our duty to-day, though we have neglected it in the past.'' The "Daily Citizen" (Labour) calls upon workers to wage war against war and support the anti-war moveme in Germany. It calls upon trade unions and Socialists organisations to demonstrate to this end.

The "Daily News" savs:—"None but the weightiest reasons could drive \is into a conflict and risk the splendid fabric of the Empire. prin : eiple, and interest dictate the absolute neutrality to Britain, The , war involves no question of principle, Russia's victory would maßd her the dictator of Europe."

The "Daily Graphic" says:-^"Mr Asquith's impartiality is a reproof to the ill-considered efforts- made in certain quarters to predicate the course of British policy in certain contingencies Avhich have not arisen.' Nothing could be more prejudicial' to the high pacific role which Britain has assumed in this crisis."