The attitude of England is noteworthy. The leading statesmen of
both sides are clearly of opinion that Germany is in the right, and silently anxious about Belgium, which the Cabinet has, as we believe, decided to protect. The Government, however, though it has ordered important preparations, maintains a determined neutrality, has issued a proclamation warning all British subjects to abstain from assisting either power, has refused Captain Hozier permission to visit the Prussian camp as corre- spondent of the Times, has deprecated debate in the Commons oa the War, has purposely delayed the production of papers, and has hinted moderation to the Press. All that is well, more especially as Indemnity Acts for measures of precaution are known to the British Constitution, and one great squadron at all events can be recalled by telegraph ; but if the Commons think they will get away in a month, they have sanguine views of the situation. There must be, at all events, some authoritative expression of Parliamentary opinion on our relations with Belgium. If the "policy of reticence" now in the ascendant is persisted in too long, the country will be taken unprepared.
