that today we stand aside in an attitude of neutrality, saying,
"No, we cannot undertake and engage to help either party in this
conflict." Let us suppose the French fleet is withdrawn from the
Mediterranean; and let us assume that the consequences--which are
already tremendous in what has happened in Europe even to countries
which are at peace--in fact, equally whether countries are at peace or
at war--let us assume that out of that come consequences unforeseen,
which make it necessary at a sudden moment that, in defense of vital
British interests, we shall go to war; and let us assume--which is quite
possible--that Italy, who is now neutral--because, as I understand, she
considers that this war is an aggressive war, and the Triple Alliance
being a defensive alliance her obligation did not arise--let us assume
that consequences which are not yet foreseen and which, perfectly
legitimately consulting her own interests, make Italy depart from her
attitude of neutrality at a time when we are forced in defense of vital
British interests ourselves to fight--what then will be the position in
the Mediterranean? It might be that at some critical moment those
consequences would be forced upon us because our trade routes in the
Mediterranean might be vital to this country.

Nobody can say that in the course of the next few weeks there is any
particular trade route, the keeping open of which may not be vital to
this country. What will be our position then? We have not kept a fleet
in the Mediterranean which is equal to dealing alone with a combination
of other fleets in the Mediterranean. It would be the very moment when
we could not detach more ships to the Mediterranean, and we might have
exposed this country from our negative attitude at the present moment to
the most appalling risk. I say that from the point of view of British
interests. We feel strongly that France was entitled to know--and to
know at once--whether or not in the event of attack upon her unprotected
northern and western coasts she could depend upon British support. In
that emergency, and in these compelling circumstances, yesterday
afternoon I gave to the French Ambassador the following statement:

I am authorized to give an assurance that if the German fleet comes
into the Channel or through the North Sea to undertake hostile
operations against the French coasts or shipping, the British fleet
will give all the protection in its power. Thi