I believe that would be the
feeling of this country. There are times when one feels that if these
circumstances actually did arise, it would be a feeling which would
spread with irresistible force throughout the land.
But I also want to look at the matter without sentiment, and from the
point of view of British interests, and it is on that that I am going to
base and justify what I am presently going to say to the House. If we
say nothing at this moment, what is France to do with her fleet in the
Mediterranean? If she leaves it there, with no statement from us as to
what we will do, she leaves her northern and western coasts absolutely
undefended, at the mercy of a German fleet coming down the Channel to do
as it pleases in a war which is a war of life and death between them. If
we say nothing, it may be that the French fleet is withdrawn from the
Mediterranean. We are in the presence of a European conflagration; can
anybody set limits to the consequences that may arise out of it? Let us
assume 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 Let us suppose the French fleet is withdrawn from the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.
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