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>Usually somnolent in August, London surged and churned with conflicting streams of humanity: urbanites leaving for the country, vacationers coming back, foreigners seeking refuge or trying to leave for home (see p. 40). All Germans were ordered out by their Embassy. But life went on unchanged for lots of people. Dancer Tilly Losch proceeded with her design to marry young Lord Carnarvon. Promoters went ahead with a walkingstick show, were miffed when Prime Minister Chamberlain refused to let his umbrella be exhibited. But 19 walking sticks owned by Lady du Maurier were there, one containing a telescope, another a gold toothpick.
>To Stockholm on schedule went 117 deaf British athletes, one carrying a gas mask, to compete in the 5th International Deaf Games.*
>Safest spot near London was judged to be Harrow, because the steeple on its hill is German aviators' prime landmark approaching London from the Channel and they would not likely bomb it down.
>In any crisis, Englishmen crave an apt quotation from Shakespeare. The London News-Chronicle performed great public service last week by discovering in Hamlet (Act IV Scene 4): "Goes it against the main of Poland, Sir? . . . Yes, it is already garrisoned."
>The whole British Labor Party sent this message to the whole German people, whose censors throttled it: "War is very near. You must clearly understand that if war comes Britain and France both stand firmly by their pledges to Poland. "Your Government does not tell you the truth. British labor, which is the friend of the German people, will tell you the truth. "There need be no war. Provided that the threat of force is renounced, there can be just and peaceful settlement of all international disputes."
>Parliament sat. The Government asked for war powers—powers for the King to issue decree laws, for the Government to confiscate property, order arrests, search premises, control railways, conduct secret trials, impose financial regulations. Debate began. At 5:30 p. m. Prime Minister Chamberlain, his old-man's voice steady, started his speech. If war came in spite of
Britain's efforts for peace—"God knows I have tried my best"—Britain would fight.
The debate was over. Four members—a Quaker, a Pacifist, a Laborite, an independent Laborite—walked out the door that signified they were voting against the measure; 457 members walked out on the Government side. Politically, Great Britain was ready for war. The King put his hand to the measure in the traditional Norman phrase: "Le roy le veult."