WWI
I was interested in reading what the House of Commons and Lords said in Hansard on the 5th August 1914 about
the European War as it was called.
House of Commons Hansard vol.65 1914
Prime Minister…Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs- a note
of which the following is a literal translation: “Belgian Government
regret to have to inform His Majesty's Government that this morning armed
forces of Germany penetrated into Belgian territory in violation of engagements
assumed by treaty. Belgian Government
are further resolved to resist by all means in their power. Belgium appeals to
Great Britain and France and Russia to co-operate, as guarantors, in defence of
her territory. There would be concerted and common action with the object of
resisting the forcible measures employed by Germany against Belgium, and at the
same time of guarding the maintenance for future of the
independence and integrity of Belgium…”
The House of Lords Hansard vol. 17 1914
The Marquis of Crewe
He reiterated what the House of Commons said about Belgium
but then carried on to say …That is all, my Lords, that I have to say at this
moment upon the general situation. But on the particular
points of the situation as it affects us here in our daily life and the financial
situation in this country, I desire to say one or two words. During the last
few days the Government have been conferring at great length with the most
important representatives of finance and commerce in the country, including
representatives of bankers, bill brokers, the Stock Exchange, discount houses,
and also with an almost complete representation of all the great industries of
the country-textile, iron, docks, and the rest; and I can say that we have
found an absolutely universal desire among those representatives of great
interests to combine so far as possible to meet the crisis which has arisen, in
the interests of the country at large. … Our main object has been that the normal
life of the country should be carried on with as little displacement as is
possible in the unprecedented circumstances in which we are placed, more
especially as they affect the wage-earning classes. We found that both the
financiers, speaking in the widest sense, and the captains of industry have
been absolutely of one mind in determining that so far as possible things shall
pursue their normal course, and that, so far as they are able to ensure it,
money shall be forthcoming to meet the ordinary needs and concerns of life. We
found that the great manufacturers are steady in determination to keep their
works open so far as is possible for them, contemplating, no doubt, that in
some cases they would be on short time, but with the resolve that so far as
possible men or women should not be altogether thrown out of employment. They
are prepared to do this even at the risk of accumulating stocks for which there
may be no obvious market at the moment, and I am sure the House will agree that
that is a most honourable and a most helpful determination on their part.
To read both statements you can find them either at GHC.5 for
the House of Commons Hansard and GHL.5 for the House of Lords Hansard or see
the electronic versions online, if you are a registered reader, in our licensed
digital resources.
