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"that request, and ask that a satisfactory reply to it and to my telegram of this morning be "received here by 12 o'clock to-night. If not, you are instructed to ask for your passports,
and to say that His Majesty's Government feels bound to take all steps in their power to uphold the neutrality of Belgium and the observance of a treaty to which Germany is as *much a party as ourselves."
K
No reply was given by Germany to this last hope and call for peace between Britain and Germany. Even yet, had Germany played the game, and stood by her pledged word as France did now and in her hour of dire necessity in 1870, peace might have been preserved and Britain would have continued to use her utmost endeavours for that object. The German Government did not wait till 12 o'clock, but handed Sir E. Goschen, the British Ambassador, his passports at 7 o'clock,
The same evening the King of England informed Parliament that he proposed to mobilise the Army.
That the war is really a German and not an Austrian war is evident from the fact that it was not until August 12th when Austrian troops were assisting the Germans against France, that France first, and Englaud afterwards, both regretfully declared themselves at war with Austria.
The German White Book published certain telegrams which passed between the Czar and the Kaiser, but it deliberately omitted a most important telegram from the Czar to the Kaiser, in which the Czar offered to submit the case for the decision of the Hague Conference. This telegram is as follows;—
"July 29th. Thanks for your telegram, which is conciliatory and friendly, whereas the "official message presented to-day by your Ambassador to my Minister was conveyed in a very "different tone. I beg you to explain this divergency. It would be right to give over the "Austro-Serbian problem to the Hague Conference. I trust in your wisdom and "friendship."
On whose shoulders lies the blame for this monstrous war? Had the German Government been willing to consult for a settlement, or had the Kaiser referred the matter to the Hague Conference as proposed by the Czar, the war, with its incalculable suffering, would easily have been avoided,
CHINA AND JAPAN IN THE
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
Tuesday, 17th February, 1914.
THE CLAIM FOR DAMAGE TO
PROPERTY OF FOREIGNERS.
Mr. Edmund Harvey asked the Foreign Secretary whether his attention had been called to the situation which has beep created by the offer of the Republic of China to meet claims for compensation for direct damage to the property of foreigners during the military operations of 1911-12; whether a number of claims for indirect damage bave been made; whether the British claim is at present confined to direct damages, but with the proviso that it will be substantially increased if other European Powers continue to press claims based on indirect losses; and whether His Majesty's Government is supporting the appeal of the Chinese Govercment that the whole question be referred to the International Court of Arbitration at The Hague?
Sir Edward Gray: The question of claiming compensation from the Chinese Government for damage incurred by foreigners as a result of the Revolution is at present under discussion between the Chinese Government and the Legation at Peking, and accordingly, I am not in a
position to make any detailed statement on the subject. It is the case that the British claim is confined to direct damages. I am not aware that the Chinese Government has made any appeal for arbitration.
Mr. E. Harvey: In the event of an appeal will the right hon. gentleman use his influence with the Powers in the matter?
Sir E. Gray I cannot make a definite promise, but I will consider it if the question comes up. We are very anxious, of course, that the claims should all be put on the same footing so far as we have power.
Tuesday, 17th March, 1914.
COCAINE IMPORTS (MEASURES FOR DEALING WITH).
Mr. Gershom Stewart: Will the hon. gentleman bear in mind the amount of cocaine that is now going into China imported from Great Britain, and cut it off at the source, if possible?
Mr. C. Roberts: I think legislation is actually being considered and framed with a view to carrying out the provisions of The Hague Opium Convention.
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