Punch/Volume 147/Issue 3814/Essence of Parliament
(Extracted from the Diary of Toby, M.P.)
House of Commons, Monday, Aug. 3.—When Edward Grey stood at Table to make momentous statement on position of Great Britain confronted by spectacle of Europe in arms, he faced a memorable scene. House crowded from floor to topmost range of Strangers' Gallery. Lansdowne, "Bob,", George Curzon and other Peers looked on and listened. Amongst them Lord Chief Justice for first time obtained view of House from novel point of vantage.
Owing to spread of complications, supply of Ambassadors accustomed to repair to Diplomatic Gallery restricted. No room for Germany to-day. Absent, too, the popular figure of Austro-Hungarian Ambassador, familiar these many years in London Society. Russia, Spain, Sweden and Greece were there in the persons of their representatives; and Belgium, conscious that words about to be uttered were big with her fate.
The sight they looked down upon was strange and moving. Setting of scene worthy of drama which finds no full parallel in world's history. Keen eyes accustomed to study potentialities of nations discerned in the gathering a new portentous fact. A week ago to-day political parties in House of Commons preserved customary attitude of hostility. Across the floor they snapped at each other distrust and dislike. Long-brooding revolt of armed forces in Ireland had leaped into flame. Mob and military had come to blows. Victims of the affray lay dead in the streets of Dublin. In the House rancour between Unionists and Home Rulers increasingly bitter.
Here was opportunity for loyal and trusted friend on the Continent to play long-planned game. England's difficulty was Germany's opportunity. Swiftly, unscrupulously, taken advantage of.
Foreign Representatives to-day beheld a startling transformation. Party lines obliterated. Leader of the Opposition, whose conduct throughout crisis has been splendidly patriotic, rallied his forces to the side of Ministers.
"Whatever steps they think it necessary to take for the honour and security of this country," he said amid burst of general cheering, "they can rely upon the unhesitating support of the Opposition."
This attitude, in full accordance with highest tradition of British Party politics, not unexpected. Glad surprise followed when John Redmond assured the Government they might forthwith withdraw from Ireland every man of their troops.
"The coasts of Ireland," he added, "will be defended from foreign invasion by our armed sons. For this purpose Nationalist Catholics in the South will be only too glad to join hands with armed Protestant Ulstermen in the North."
"The last time I saw rows of chairs brought in and set down on floor of the House for convenience of Members who could not find room elsewhere," mused the Member for Sark, looking on from one of the side galleries, "was in 1886, when Gladstone introduced his first Home Rule Bill. Twelve months earlier, under guidance of Land League, Ireland was in a parlous state. Coercion Act in full force. Jails thronged with patriots convicted under its rigorous clauses. Still there were left at liberty enough to maim cattle and shoot at landlords. If Germany had happened to step in at that epoch it would have been a perilous time for England. The House of Commons after many years' hesitation has offered to bestow Home Rule upon Ireland and this is Ireland's first articulate response. Her Nationalists range themselves with Ulster by the side of Great Britain threatened by a foreign foe."
Business done.—Foreign Secretary, amid prolonged cheers, announces that England means to stand by France in the coming war, and will fulfil her Treaty obligations to Belgium.
Tuesday.—Rising from Treasury Bench Premier walked down House as if he were about to leave it by glass door. Reaching the Bar he halted and turned about to face crowded benches watching him with quickened anxiety. Grave events have within the last few days made him the Herald of War. What might be this new missive he held in his hand?
"A message from His Majesty," he said, "signed by his own hand."
Advancing to Table he handed document to the Clerk who passed it on to Speaker. All heads were bared as Message was read. It announced that Proclamation would forthwith issue mobilising the Regular Army and embodying Territorial Forces.
This the significant supplement to statement made by Premier immediately on Speaker taking the Chair. It told how telegram had that morning been sent to German Government demanding assurance of maintenance of Belgian neutrality.
"We have asked," said the Premier as quietly if he were mentioning request for early reply to a dinner invitation, "that a satisfactory answer shall be given before midnight."
House knew what that meant. On the stroke of midnight Great Britain and Germany would be at war.
A cheer almost fierce in its intensity approved the epoch-making challenge. The House knew that England's hands were clean; that she was spotlessly free from responsibility for the slaughter and sorrow, the destruction of prosperious cities, the devastation of fruitful lands, the breaking-up of Empires, that might follow on Germany's final jack-booting of the emissary of peace.
IN A JUST CAUSE.
(Sir Edward Grey.)
Since the danger-signal was flung out by thrusting to the front the puppet figure of aged Austrian Emperor making ponderous attack on little Servia, Edward Grey, representing a Ministry supported by a loyal Parliament and a united Kingdom, has night and day been tireless in effort to avert war. If yielded to, such interference would be fatal to plans, diligently elaborated in the dark over a period of months, probably a full year, by our old friend and frequent guest, the German Emperor.
Accordingly, after maintaining till last moment favourite disguise of peacemaker "on easy terms with Heaven," William, innocent sufferer by "the menace of France," throws aside the cloak.
House of Commons' immediate response was to pass in five minutes all outstanding votes for Army, Navy and Civil Services amounting to £104,642,055.
Business done.—Premier announces dispatch of ultimatum to Berlin and imperative demand for answer before midnight.
Wednesday.—Benches less crowded than hitherto during week of tumultuous interest. Explanation forthcoming in fact that something like a hundred Members belonging to Territorial Service have buckled on their armour and responded to call of mobilisation.
Premier's announcement that "since eleven o'clock last night a state of war has existed between Germany and ourselves" hailed with deep-throated cheer. Its volume nothing compared with that which burst forth when he concluded statement with casual remark that to-morrow he will move a Vote of Credit for one hundred millions sterling. Had he mentioned the sum as an instalment paid in advance by Germany on account of war indemnity House couldn't have been more jubilant.
Byles of Bradford uneasy in regard to Bill introduced by Home Secretary authorising imposition of restrictions upon aliens in time of war or great emergency. Thinks it might cause inconvenience to worthy persons. Otherwise Government receive unanimous support for various legislative proposals rendered necessary by state of war.
Chancellor of Exchequer reports conclusions arrived at in conference of leading bankers and manufacturers met at the Treasury to consider best way of grappling with unprecedented financial situation created by events of past fortnight. Happy thought to include in invitation his predecessor at the Treasury. In accordance with patriotic spirit obliterating party animosity, Son Austen promptly accepted invitation. Gives valuable assistance to Lloyd George in recommending proposals to appreciative House.
In short, whatever may be happening in Belgium or the North Sea, Millennium reigns at Westminster.
Business done.—Many Bills advanced by various stages.
"ONE TOUCH OF POTSDAM…
Sir Edward Carson. "A marvellous diplomatist, this German Kaiser."
Mr. John Redmond. "Yes, he's made comrades of us when everybody else had failed."
Thursday.—In moving Vote of Credit for one hundred million sterling Premier wholesomely lets himself go in comment on the "infamous proposal" of Germany that for a mess of pottage (extremely thin) England should betray her ally, France. Crowded House loudly sympathised with righteous indignation.
Fresh burst of cheering when he pays finely phrased tribute to Edward Grey, as the "Peacemaker of Europe."
Captain Lord Dalrymple of the Scots Guards lends opportune gleam of martial splendour to bench where he sits arrayed in khaki uniform that has seen service in the Boer War. The Premier's eye catching a glimpse of it, he with great presence of mind asked for authority to strengthen the army by an additional half-million of men.
In its present mood the House denied him nothing.
Business done.—Vote of Credit for £100,000,000 granted with both hands.
Monday, Aug. 10.—House adjourned till Tuesday the 25th.