Evening star., 1914-08-22

stood, II rev uIluISputdpAS toSsS NV
brought out before are taken into con-
sideration.
Belgium is fortified on its German
boundary. whereas 1t has neglected
during the last thirty years TO take
similar precautions to protect itself
against Its French and English neign-
Dors There is a secret Angio-french-
Belgian agreement, the real existence
of which was established at the begin
ning of the Morocco struggles. Ger
many for a long time had knowledge
If this agreement and acted accord
ingly.
England Modified Early.
England decreed the mobilization of
its army on the I'd of August, started
the transportation of it's troops to the
continent in the night between the sd
and 9Th. sent its ultimatum regarding
the neutrality of Belgium on the 4th
of August. declaring war on Germany
in the night between the 4th and 9th.
The only course left open for Ger
many.s self-preservation was TO anucl-
pate the passage of troops through the
neutral territory of Belgium and to
take possession of it's fortresses. The
quick and precise strategic movements
of its armies assured their success and
checkmated French-English actions IN
Belgium.
Every government that seriously
outsiders the inviolability of its
boundaries, that desires to protect its
neutrality at any cost. takes measures
% protect itself in all directions i'm
partially against all neighbors, as we
ind in the case of Holland and Swift
zcrland They are alert and ready for
self-defense in their attitude to all
their neighbors.
Never Relied on Herself.
has never even tried to rely upon her
self. Wooed for decades by French and
English politics, she always confided the
maintenance of her neutrality to these
powers.
',rhis even went so far that French
engineers. under the supervision of Gen.
Brialmont constructed the Belgian fort
resses. Since Gen. Brialmonts retire
ment in 1Ss6 up to the present time,
French engineers had charge of the mod
ernization of all her forts. The entire
Belgian army for the last thirty years
has been under French instruction and
influence.
ealize that the fortihcations along the
Ieuse at Liege, Huy and Namur would
9 of Importance only in case of Ger
man attack. There is not the slightest
ace Of a fertilization opposite the
rench boundary. OF all the seaports
of Belgium only Antwerp is fortified
against a possible attack bt Holland.
Hence it can clearly be deduced that
Belgium has not for decades counted on
the necessity of protecting herself against
France and England, but rather count
I'd on the assistance of these two gov
crpments in case of hostilities.
cit should be remembered with what
Indignation the entire English and
French press met Hollands intimatiou
that she intended to modernize the forti-
;lcations along the Schelde.
''surely Holland protects her neutrality
against England. too. But if these pro-
fected Notifications had been completed,
access to Antwerp would have been made
iif.icut il not impossible, for an English
iriry corps landing from the sea. Hence
these Dutch plans were regarded as hos
tile to England.
Logic of the Situation.
But even this logic is easily under
stood.
How could Belgium for instance, have
Jared to fortify Ostend against the Brit
ish?
AT the time that France and England
openly disregarded the original Morocco
treaty (which disregard led to the Alge-
riras conference) treaty that was guar
tnteed by the big powers just as the neu-
trality of Belgium was guaranteed-Ger-
many showed clearly that she would not
permit herself to be erased from the map
on account of a private French-Englisll
agreement that gave Morocco to France
and Egypt to England in defiance of all
previous treaty arrangements. England
then openly appeared on the scene, Of
fering her help and arms to France.
"'rhe German government is in posses
sion of documents that were exchanged
between the present commander of the
British army. Gen. French. and the
French secretary Of war, in which all the
details of landing of an English army
..xpedition on French and Belgian terri
tory were discussed and settled.
English transport ships were ready u
sail
.. Secret Agreement.
~ secret AngIo-French- Belgian mill
rary agreement would have been callet
INTO action Instantly tas happened in tn,
present war just as soon as German,
and France started hostiIities
No better troof could he offered o.
tltc real existence of such IL secret agree
Tent than the recent English mobiiza
lion OF the t,agnsh army that started OF
the I'd Of Nugust and in the night be
ween the 81 and the 18th the first trans
ports of troops had already left thu
English shores for the continent.
THE ultimatum regarding Belgium!
neutrality was forwarded to Berlin OF
The 4th of August. And the war on Ger
many was not declared before the nigh
between the ith and the 5th.
France, according to secret agree
ment dispatched officers and troops I,
Liege before the declaration of war. IL
order to maintain the fort until tn
French army of the north succeeded il
i,s formation south of Brussels.
Doesn't the statement of these fact
successfully replace miles of French ant
English newspaper talk and correspond
lar he Ra1
xian side is unprotected and not forti
He'd.
SHOULD Germany wait until England
md France. after a free passage through
Belgium attack her unprotected righ
wing?
Germany Knew Plans.
Germany had knowledge Of tn