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VI. Lord Bryce and the First World War

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 December 2010

Keith G. Robbins
Keith G. Robbins
Affiliation:
University of York
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Extract

James Bryce considered that 1914 would be a satisfying year. He had just been created a viscount and, at the age of seventy-six, could look back on a career of distinction in university life, politics and diplomacy. He could continue to write books and indulge in correspondence with his friends. In fact, the books were not written and his correspondence became very practical. The tension in Europe in the summer of 1914 caused many people to ask him for advice on the best course of action. What, in particular, were Liberals to do? Some M.P.s were talking of peace demonstrations to keep Britain out of European war, but Bryce hesitated. On the evening of 31 July, the matter was discussed with J. A. Spender who noted that ‘… Bryce … strongly advised not to join this demonstration. He agreed that violation of Belgium would be casus belli.’ When Belgium was violated, Bryce was committed to the war but his commitment was reluctant, hesitant and with foreboding. The consequences of his decision are the subject of this article.

Type
Articles
Information
The Historical Journal , Volume 10 , Issue 2 , 1967 , pp. 255 - 278
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1967

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References

1 Lord Bryce to J. A. Spender, 31 July 1914, Spender MSS., British Museum Add. MSS. 46392.

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