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against being left thus unprotected, but the French Government were anxious to make it clear to public opinion that in no case will France be the aggressor. Thus did France evince her keen desire for peace.
July 31st, Friday. Last night the Kaiser and his Cabinet sat in Council till midnight. This morning Russia and Germany both ordered general mobilisation, but that German preparations were far ahead of those of Russia was soon evidenced by Germany's rapid march into Russian territory.
Sir Edward Grey now addressed an enquiry to the German and French Governments, to ask whether they were prepared to fulfil their treaty obligations to Belgium. France replied in the affirmative. The German Secretary of State replied that he must consult the Emperor and the Chancellor, but that as any reply they might give would disclose their plan of campaign, he was doubtful if any answer would be given. In other words, Germany had resolved to invade Belgium and treat her own imperial script as a "scrap of paper."
The French Ambassador to day pressed Sir Edward Grey that England should declare itself as the ally of France and Russia, and that if he did so Germany would decide in favour of peace. Sir Edward Grey replied that he had already made it quite clear to Germany that public opinion in England would not permit England to sit still and watch Belgium invaded and France crushed, but it was impossible for him to pledge the British Parliament without its consent, and therefore at present he could not enter into any engagement.
Germany formally declared war against Russia, and this despite the fact that Russia and Austria had again entered into friendly discussions for a settlement of their dispute, discussions which gave promise of success. It seems as if Germany were determined against peace.
August 1st, Saturday. Sir Edward Grey told the German Ambassador that the reply of the German Government to his request in regard to the neutrality of Belgium was a matter of very great regret, because the neutrality of Belgium affected feeling in this country. If there were a violation of Belgian neutrality by one combatant while the other respected it, it would be extremely difficult to restrain public feeling in England.
August 2nd, Sunday. Germany invaded Luxemburg, and sent an ultimatum to Belgium proposing that she should give free passage for German troops through Belgium, and also threatening, in case of refusal, to treat Belgium as an enemy. A time limit of 12 hours was fixed for a reply, Belgium answered that an attack on her neutrality would be a flagrant violation of the rights of nations, that to accept the German proposal would sacrifice the honour of a nation conscious of its duty, for Belgium was firmly resolved to repel aggression by all possible means.
Germany also on this date detained two English ships in the Kiel Canal.
The French Ambassador in London issued a statement that "the whole responsibility "for the present situation, and anything that may eventuate, rests with Germany. At the "present moment Germany has not declared war against France, nor has the German **Ambassador left Paris, yet German troops are invading French territory.
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"intentions may be judged from the fact that, although we knew what was going on, we
withdrew our troops ten kilometres from the frontier in order to prevent a conflict.
"Germany's declaration of war against Russia was made while negotiations between "the two Powers (Austria and Russia) were actually in progress. That these negotiations gave promise of success is shown by the fact that the Austrian Ambassador in Paris "declared to our Foreign Minister that Russia and Austria were approaching an agreement. "These facts speak for themselves."
August 3rd, Monday. Italy, a member with Germany and Austria of the Triple Alliance, on this day declared her neutrality. She did so because her Alliance was only for defensive, and not for aggressive warfare. By this action she declared her clear belief that the aggressors were not Russia nor France, but her Allies Germany and Austria.
Sir Edward Grey placed the whole case before the British Parliament at a sitting of the gravest character. Germany broke off relations with France the same evening.
August 4th, Tuesday. The King of Belgium appealed to the King of England, saying: "Remembering the numerous proofs of your Majesty's friendship and that of your predecessor, " and the friendly attitude of England in 1870, and the proof of friendship you have just "given us again, I make a supreme appeal to the diplomatic intervention of your Majesty's Government to safeguard the integrity of Belgium." It was impossible for such appeal to fall upon deaf ears in a country with the traditions of England in favour of liberty. Sir Edward Grey telegraphed to the British Ambassador in Berlin to protest against this violation of a treaty, and requesting au immediate assurance that the demand made upon Belgium would not be proceeded with and that her neutrality would be respected by Germany.
The German Minister to Belgium informed the Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs that Germany would carry out her intentions, if necessary by force of arms. This information was telegraphed to England, and Sir Edward Grey replied to Belgium promising that Great Britain would join Russia and France in resisting German aggression, and in securing Belgian independence and integrity in future years.
Germany instructed her Ambassador in England to assure Sir Edward Grey that Germany would give back her territory to Belgium after the war, but must now disregard Belgian neutrality.
Soon after, England was informed that German troops had entered Belgium and summoned Liége to surrender.
Thereupon Sir Edward Grey communicated with the British Ambassador in Germany, saying "We hear that Germany has addressed a note to Belgian Minister for Foreign "Affairs, stating that German Government will be compelled to carry on, if necessary by "force of arms, the measures considered indispensable. We are also informed that Belgian "territory has been violated at Gemmenich. In these circumstances, and in view of the "fact that Germany declined to give the same assurance respecting Belgium as France gave last week in reply to our request made simultaneously at Berlin and Paris, we must repeat
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