Regular readers will know of my admiration for the late Sir Edward Grey who, probably more than any other politician of his day, moved this country towards war with a Germany he recognised, to use today's jargon, as a 'rogue state'. Others will curse his memory in the belief that Britain taking part in WWI was an atrocious act of folly which led to the greatest mass tragedy in our history. I disagree, or to be precise, I disagree with the accusation of folly, although I endorse the fact of the tragedy - whilst insisting that the alternative would have been worse. Anyway, courtesy of Daniel Hannan in The Telegraph, I can offer you this extract from Hansard which covers Sir Edward's speech to the House just prior to the declaration of war. I cannot emphasise enough the sublety of Sir Edward's approach in the days, weeks, months and years before this culminating moment. He knew, long before most, that Germany was a perpetual menace to the peace of Europe and he understood the grand strategic imperative for us to ensure that both France and Belgium (and Holland!) remained free of German hegemony. But, he also knew and understood the propriety of his position in regard to parliament, that is, that he must not, could not, commit this country to war without final approval from the House of Commons, he was its servant not its master! Hence, all his diplomatic (and military) manouvres, mostly with the French, leading up to this day of decision were always hedged about with 'get out' clauses. This incensed the French who looked for certainty from their 'ally' and were deeply suspicious that perhaps 'perfidious Albion' was up to its usual tricks. They were wrong as far as Sir Edward was concerned, he remained absolute in his belief that France must be helped even, or perhaps especially, in the case of war with Germany. And yet . . . and yet . . . always he was aware that he could not commit this country to war without the consent of parliament. This speech delivered on the eve of war amounts to exactly that plea for consent. Clear, concise, undramatic but, I feel, imbued with great underlying passion, it represents one of those truly decisive days in our history.
http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1914/aug/03/statement-by-sir-edward-grey
Completely off topic (but it is your correspondent JK after all) one would think any beverage labeled Swill would've set off alarms.
http://news.msn.com/us/craft-beer-drinkers-be-wary-of-exploding-swill-1
Posted by: JK | Monday, 04 August 2014 at 18:54
David
Would it be possible to clone him.
Twice one for you and once for us.
Posted by: Hank | Tuesday, 05 August 2014 at 04:03
So you had better watch out, JK, when you go up in them thar hills!
'We shall not see his like again', Hank.
Posted by: David Duff | Tuesday, 05 August 2014 at 09:09
A Hundred years on and world peace is threatened now as it was then by rogue states Russia, China, Islamic extremists, tin pot dictators and barbaric war lords. Two horrendous world wars it appears have not taught us anything. The belligerent if anything are more numerous the West's ability to contain them is as usual not nearly adequate enough. The old adage "if you desire peace then prepare for war" a truism that is once again being blatantly ignored. Unilateralists, appeasers, dim-wit lefties and the like are in the ascendancy and this time as they are destroying our economies and societies they are also destroying our will and ability to resist aggression. Defence is vital for freedom loving people and the price we need to pay to maintain our democracies and civil liberties is to spend very much more on our military even if it means spending less on welfare and social engineering. Not the other way round as we are currently doing.
Posted by: Antisthenes | Tuesday, 05 August 2014 at 10:06
I wonder when was the last time a minister felt the need to carry the House with him in order to achieve the ends which he thought to be most in the interests of the country?
Sic transit...
Posted by: Andrew Duffin | Tuesday, 05 August 2014 at 12:36
Sir Edward Grey was one of a group of politicians and the King who lumbered us with an alliance with France.
Posted by: backofanenvelope | Tuesday, 05 August 2014 at 17:23
Exactly! And he was absolutely right to do so!
Posted by: David Duff | Tuesday, 05 August 2014 at 19:08
He was great man at the right time and place. Something us Brits are lucky to have. Clegg not included. What a knobend the man is giving comfort to Warsi and fundamentalist Islamic nutters.
Posted by: jimmy glesga | Tuesday, 05 August 2014 at 20:11
Happy to agree with you, Jimmy.
Posted by: David Duff | Wednesday, 06 August 2014 at 07:50