nemy
ship to our trade is infinitesimal, compared with the amount of harm
that must be done by the economic condition that is caused on the
Continent.

The most awful responsibility is resting upon the Government in deciding
what to advise the House of Commons to do. We have disclosed our minds
to the House of Commons. We have disclosed the issue, the information
which we have, and made clear to the House, I trust, that we are
prepared to face that situation, and that should it develop, as probably
it may develop, we will face it. We worked for peace up to the last
moment, and beyond the last moment. How hard, how persistently, and how
earnestly we strove for peace last week the House will see from the
papers that will be before it.

But that is over, as far as the peace of Europe is concerned. We are now
face to face with a situation and all the consequences which it may yet
have to unfold. We believe we shall have the support of the House at
large in proceeding to whatever the consequences may be and whatever
measures may be forced upon us by the development of facts or action
taken by others. I believe the country, so quickly has the situation
been forced upon it, has not had time to realize the issue. It perhaps
is still thinking of the quarrel between Austria and Servia, and not the
complications of this matter which have grown out of the quarrel between
Austria and Servia. Russia and Germany we know are at war. We do not yet
know officially that Austria, the ally whom Germany is to support, is
yet at war with Russia. We know that a good deal has been happening on
the French frontier. We do not know that the German Ambassador has left
Paris.

The situation has developed so rapidly that technically, as regards the
condition of the war, it is most difficult to describe what has actually
happened. I wanted to bring out the underlying issues which would affect
our own conduct, and our own policy, and to put them clearly. I have now
put the vital facts before the House, and if, as seems not improbable,
we are forced, and rapidly forced, to take our stand upon those issues,
then I believe, when the country realizes what is at stake, what the
real issues are, the magnitude of the impending dangers in the west of
Europe, which I have endeavored to describe to the House, we shall be
supported throughout, not only by the House of Commons, but by the
determination, the resolution, the courage, and the endurance of the
who