The Guns Of August

In England, Grey asks the British Cabinet authority to send the fleet to defend the French coast, which causes a split in the Cabinet. To most of England, the war is an old fight between Germany and France—which is not a reason for England to join. The only way the war will be supported is if Germany invades Belgium, which is a “child of English policy” (114). Addressing Parliament, Grey calls on English honor, makes overtures to the economy, and adds in the fear of Germany ruling all of Europe. His speech carries the day, and England soon sends an ultimatum to Germany to stop the invasion of Belgium.

Germany thinks the war will be over “before the leaves have fallen from the trees” (119). Like most of Europe, Germans have bought into Angell’s short-war concept. Only Moltke and Joffre in Germany, and Herbert Kitchener, English Secretary of State for War, see the war lasting longer than six months, and only Kitchener makes any plans. Sill, Germany declares war on France. That evening, Sir Grey, seeing the lamps being lit along the street, says, “The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them again in our lifetime” (122).