Punch/Volume 147/Issue 3817/Essence of Parliament
(Extracted from the Diary of Toby, M.P.)
House of Lords, Tuesday, Aug. 25.—After fortnight's recess Parliament meets again. Scene mightily changed. At time of adjournment country on brink of war. Now in thick of it.
Contrary to custom interest centred in Chamber at this end of corridor. Man of the moment is the tall strongly-framed figure that enters on stroke of appointed hour and marches with soldierly step to Ministerial Bench. This is Kitchener, Secretary of State for War, primed with message from the Army which, making its first stand at Mons, had a baptism of fire that lasted thirty-six hours.
With characteristic modesty the new Minister seated himself at lower end of Bench. Crewe presently arriving signalled him to come up higher. Accordingly seated himself next to Leader of House. Thence rose at half-past four to make his maiden speech, a deliverance effected under rarely momentous circumstances. Brought with him one of those "scraps of paper" which the Kaiser scorns when they contain such trifling matter as a solemn treaty with a neighbouring nation. On this Kitchener, more at home on the battlefield than in a place where a man's business is to talk, had written his speech.
It was brief, manly, simple. Made haste to point out that, though associated with the Cabinet, holding high office in the Government, his appearance on the Ministerial Bench did not imply that he belonged to any political party.
"As a soldier," he said, " I have no politics."
House startled to hear him add that his occupation of the post of Secretary of State for War is temporary. Terms of his service are those of the recruits for the new Army. He is engaged to serve during the war. If it lasts longer than three years, then for three years only.
Faced by grim suggestion that the war just opening may last for three years, a deeper gravity fell over listening House. Kitchener pre-eminently a man who knows what he is talking about. And here he was in level tones, unruffled manner, taking into account the contingency of the war lasting three years.
That this was no idle conjecture, rather a well-thought-out possibility intelligently provided for, appeared when he went on to describe how the contingency must be faced. The enemy had already brought his full resources into the field. It was a maximum which, after a succession of days like last Sunday, must necessarily diminish. On the other head, whilst we have put a comparatively small force afoot, there is behind it, at home and in the Colonies, a vast reserve which, diligently trained and organised, will steadily reinforce the fighting line. In the course of six or seven months there will be a total of thirty divisions, continually kept up to full fighting strength.
Nor was that all.
"If," said the soldier-Minister, "the war be protracted, and if its fortune be varied or adverse, exertions and sacrifices beyond any already demanded will be required from the whole nation and Empire."
Ominous words increasing prevalent gloom. At least satisfactory to know that in his official communications Kitchener will always cheer us by presenting to closest view the worst that has actually happened or is possibly in store.
Business done.—Kitchener makes his maiden speech.
Another "Scrap of Paper" (K. of K.)
House of Commons, Wednesday.—No one looking in on House this afternoon would imagine that the country is engaged in an armed fight, issues of which will in one direction or another transform the aspect of Europe. Atmosphere unruffled. "Business as usual" the order of the day.
Pretty full attendance considering House has with brief intervals been in session since February and meets again at what in normal times would be period of full recess. Premier on Treasury Bench at opening of sitting. Having answered a few questions, withdrew to his private room and was no more seen.
Lloyd George, left in charge, moved through various stages series of emergency measures.
On Currency and Bank Note Bill question of design of new twenty-shilling and ten-shilling notes came up. Some disrespectful things said of it. Chancellor of Exchequer admitted its imperfection but pleaded that in the hurried circumstances of the day it was the best that could be done. Exception especially taken on score that the design made forgery easy. Here the Chancellor differed.
"I have been told by an expert in these matters," he said, with the pleased air of one recalling the dictum of a respected friend, "that the plainer the design on a note the more difficult it is to forge it."
All the same the notes are to be called in and replaced.
Business done.—Second reading of Bill giving Government blank cheque for meeting expenses of war carried without debate or division.
Thursday.—Premier's surpassing gift of speech, equally concise and eloquent, never more brilliantly displayed than this afternoon. Proposed Resolution conveying expression of sympathy and admiration for heroic resistance offered by the Belgian Army and people to wanton invasion of their territory. In speech that occupied less than ten minutes in delivery the Premier, himself moved to loftiest pitch of righteous indignation, touched deepest feelings of a crowded House.
Referring to Great Britain's intervention in "a quarrel in which it had no direct concern," he pointed out that the country threw away the scabbard only when confronted by necessity of choice between keeping and breaking solemn obligations, between the discharge of a binding trust and a shameless subservience.
A deep-throated cheer approved his emphatic declaration, "We do not repent our decision."
Cheers rang forth again when in another fine passage he said, "The Belgians have won for themselves the immortal glory which belongs to a people who prefer freedom to ease, to security, even to life itself. We are proud of their alliance and their friendship. We salute them with respect and honour. We are with them heart and soul."
Difficult to follow outburst of genuine eloquence like this, delivered with thrilling force. Bonar Law in equally brief speech voiced hearty acquies- cence of Opposition in Resolution. John Redmond, associating Ireland whole-heartedly with it, made practical suggestion, that, instead of lending Belgium ten millions as proposed, we should hand the money over to her as a free gift, an instalment of a just debt.
Business done.-More Emergency Bills advanced by stages. Ominous hint of fresh taxation dropped by Chancellor.