Monday, August 3, 1914

Rain

Correspondence (1 of 1)

Letter #114Time not recorded
"

The clouds tend rather to thicken to disperse. . . . This morning two letters arrived for me – one from J. Morley, the other from the Impeccable – announcing that they must follow J. Burns's example. . . . The Germans, with almost Austrian crassness, have delivered an ultimatum to Belgium . . . Grey made a most remarkable speech . . .

Asquith describes the resignation of four colleagues (later withdrawn by two), the German ultimatum to Belgium, and Grey's speech.

Mentioned:John Burns • Reginald McKenna • Violet Asquith • Elizabeth Asquith • Cyril Asquith • Edwin Montagu • John Morley • Sir John Simon • Lord Beauchamp • Lloyd George • Bonar Law • Lord Lansdowne • King of Belgians • Edgar Vincent • Barbara Wilson • Percy Wyndhams • Sir Edward Grey • Redmond • Ramsay MacDonald • Viscount Haldane • Kitchener

Metric Analysis

Romantic Adoration6/10
Political Unburdening9/10
Emotional Desolation4/10

Thematic Tags

ResignationsBelgian ultimatumGrey's speechMobilization
Map Unavailable
H.H. Asquith
Londonⓘ
HIS DAYCabinet. Meeting with Law and Lansdowne. Lunch. House of Commons. War Council.
Venetia Stanley
Travellingⓘ
HER DAYTravelling (train). Wrote to Asquith (regular daily letters). In 'present isolation'

Official Register

1914-08-03

Top News

Daily Edition

Germany declares war on France and issues an ultimatum to Belgium. Sir Edward Grey addresses the House of Commons, announcing that Britain will protect the French coast and maintain Belgian neutrality. The Bank Holiday is extended,.

Cabinet Council

MEETING
>>Ref: War CouncilTopics: Ultimatum to Germany, Mobilization

Parliament

IN SESSION

>>Topics: War In Europe, The European Crisis, Belgium Neutrality, Germany And Belgium, British Shipping State Insurance

Witness Observations

Margot Asquith
Margot Asquith

"I forgot to say that on 3rd August 1914, the day Henry stopped Kitchener going to Egypt, he sounded him about taking the W. Office... H. ‘I’ve just been sounding K., as I can’t go on with this heavy work.’"

Lord Riddell
Lord Riddell

"John Burns has resigned. I met him at the Reform Club... Ramsay MacDonald, whom I met in the afternoon, says that if we go to war we shall have food riots... I went to see Sir Edward Grey... He seemed very calm..."