The statement concluded: "The Government of the Republic, respecting international conventions which it has ratified, protests against those violations of international law, and holds up to reprobation before the opinion of the world the behaviour of an enemy who respects no rule and goes back on his signature affixed to international agreements."
It was observed with immense satisfaction, not merely throughout the British Empire, but by our allies in the field, that Britain in her oversea possessions was quick to come forward with offers of help as soon as the situation on the Continent became known. In Canada, for example, the Government voted large supplies of wheat, cheese and so forth for the troops, and also undertook to raise two contingents, each 20,000 strong, to take part in the campaign. Patriotic funds were started in all the large towns throughout the Dominion, and the women of Canada raised funds for a supplementary naval hospital.
Similar measures were taken by the Australian Government, and both Ministers and ex-Ministers declared that Australia would offer "the vigour of her manhood, the bounty of her soil resources, her economic organisation, all she possesses to the last ear of corn and the last drop of blood." This quotation is taken from a speech by Mr. Millen, the Commonwealth Minister of Defence, speaking at Melbourne on August 23rd. Similar utterances were delivered by his colleagues and by the Parliamentary Opposition. An appeal to Australians to form an Imperial Expeditionary Force resulted in an almost immediate reply from 20,000 volunteers.
Offers of help on a proportionate scale came from New Zealand and South Africa; and the South African Government took steps both to guard the Union from German raids and to co-operate with the Imperial troops in any movement that might be made against the adjacent German colonies. A later and momentous step by the South African Union, taken at the request of the Imperial Government, was notified in the subjoined communications from Reuter's Agency:
Cape Town,
Sept. 9th, 1914.
A special session of Parliament, necessitated by the situation arising from the war, and the mobilisation of the Defence forces, was opened to-day by Lord Buxton.
The Governor-General's first act was to read a personal message from the King, acknowledging the many proofs of loyalty displayed by South Africa in common with the rest of the Empire, and of its determination to play a part in the great conflict forced upon Great Britain. His Majesty relies with confidence upon the people of South Africa to maintain and to add fresh lustre to the splendid traditions of courage, determination, and endurance which they have inherited.
At the evening session of the House of Assembly General Botha moved the following resolution:
This House, fully recognising the obligations of the Union as a portion of the British Empire, respectfully requests the Governor-General to convey a humble address to his Majesty, assuring him of its loyal support in bringing to a successful issue the momentous conflict which has been forced upon him in defence of the principles of liberty and international honour, and of its whole-hearted determination to take all measures necessary for defending the interests of the Union and co-operating with His Majesty's Imperial Government to maintain the security and integrity of the Empire, and further humbly requesting His Majesty to convey to His Majesty the King of the Belgians its admiration for and its sincere sympathy with the Belgian people in their heroic stand for the protection of their country against the unprincipled invasion of its rights.
General Botha, who spoke with deep feeling, was followed with the most earnest attention by a thronged House. The Premier said that never had the Parliament of South Africa assembled at a more critical time. He emphasised that the Imperial Government had informed the Government that certain war operations in German South-West Africa were considered to be of strategic importance. The Imperial Government added that if the Union Government could undertake these operations they would be regarded as of great service to the Empire. The Empire to which South Africa belonged was involved in one of the greatest and cruellest wars which had ever befallen humanity.