Afternoon: Grey tells Paul Cambon the cabinet has agreed “we could not propose to Parliament at this moment to send an expeditionary force to the continent”. This did not mean under no circumstances would Britain assist France, but it did mean France must take her own decision without reckoning on assistance from Britain.
Cambon reminds Grey the French fleet is concentrated in the Mediterranean as a result of understandings with the British and the French Channel and Atlantic coasts are undefended.
Cambon is shocked and distressed. He thinks the British are going to abandon France. A discussion with Nicolson helps him recover.
Nicolson goes to see Grey and tells him angrily “you will render us a by-word among nations”. [More]