Page 6 - WW1 - 1914

Remembering Redditch Residents & WW1 Redditch Local History Society

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The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger – Saturday 1 August
1914

The European Crisis - Lord Plymouth and the need for unity – The Earl of Plymouth,
addressing a gathering at his Glamorganshire seat, St Fagan’s Castle, on Wednesday, said
that, strongly as he condemned the present Government and much as he hoped an
opportunity might soon be given to the people to show their detestation of a set of ministers
who would stoop to anything, We are confronted at this moment with a situation which
prevents us, so far as I can see it, from calling upon the Government for an immediate
General Election. The nations of Europe are in a most critical state. Nothing is worse than
that we should entirely occupy ourselves with our own quarrels, deep as they may be and
strong as our feelings may be about them, lose sight of the fact that the nation and the
Empire itself may be endangered if we do not hold together in support of the Minister who is
directing our foreign affairs at this moment, and who, I will most frankly admit, is
administering those affairs as well as they could be administered. It is our duty to hold our
hands for the moment, so that a united Britain, a united Empire, should be presented in
support of a policy which shall not endanger our position in the counsels of Europe.

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