The Irish standard., 1914-11-07

SAAAn "Atu VAeuud W DeLIcr the pur-
pose as friend, who. If her counsels
of moderation were disregarded,
might one day be converted into an
ally, than il she were to declare her
self Russia's ally at once" (17.)
How we'll she played this role'' of
Germany's friend is evinced by the.
protest on the part of her allies and
by the hopes and disappointment of
Germany. The Russian Minister de-
clared that unfortunately Germany
was convinced of our (England's)
neutrality" (No. ~ In explana-
ton Sir Edward Grey affirmed to
Sazanof: This impression ought, as
l have pointed out, to be dispelled by
the orders we have given to the First
Fleet. which is concentrated, as it
happens, at Portland, not to dispense
for maneuver leave" (No. 40 When
M. Cambon referred to telegram
from the French Ambassador in Ber-
lin saying that it was the uncertain
ty with regard to whether we eng
land) would intervene which was the
encouraging element in Berlin, and
that If we would only declare de-
finitely on the side of Russia and
France it would decide the German
attitude in favor of peace" Sir Ed
ward said, that it was quite wrong
to suppose that we left Germany I'M
der the impression that we would not
Intervene. I had refused overtures
to promise that we should remain
neutral. had not only definitely de-
clined to say that we would remain
neutral, have even gone as far this
morning as to say to the German Am
bassador that if France and Germany
became involved in war we should be
drawn into it," M. Cambon urged
that cit could not be to England's
interest that France should be
crushed by Germany" (No. 119.)
Nevertheless up to the last moment
Germany was of the conviction that
England was working Shoulder to
shoulder" with her.
Various diplomatic proposals were
made in order to avoid a rupture.
Russia, however, and France began
to mobilize and Germany did like
wise. Germany next delivered to the
Belgian Government note proposing
friendly neutrality entailing free
passage through Belgium territory,
and promising to maintain the indie
pendence and integrity of the king
dom and it's possessions at the co1clu-
sion of peace, threatening in case Of
refusal to treat Belgium as an en-
envy. (No. 1889 A formal assurance
was sent to the British Government
that "even in case of armed conflict
with Belgium, Germany will under
no pretense whatever annex Belgian
territory" (No. 1879 Sir Edward
Grey insisted through Sir William
Goschen on the absolute neutrality of
Belgium mos. 1873 and 1870. Herr
Won Jagow answered that it was too
late, they had already entered Bel
GUM, being obliged to advance into
France by the quickest and easiest
way" Sir William hereupon de-
manded his passports and war was
formally declared. "In conversa-
ton which ensued Herr Won Jagow
expressed his poignant regret at the
crumbling of his entire policy and
that of the Imperial Chancellor,
which had been to make friends with
Great Britain, and then, through
Great Britain, to get closer to
France" (Sir w. Goschen's Report,
N. Y. Times. Aug. %, 1914.) DR..
Won Bethmann-Holweg, the Imperial
Chancellor, said: 1.-THE step taken by
Great Britain was terrible to a de-
gree. Just for a word, neutrality
word which in war time had been
SO often disregarded; just for a scrap
of paper, Great Britain was going to
make war on a kindred nation who
desired nothing better than to be
friends with her. All his efforts in
that direction had been rendered USE
less by that last terrible step, and the
policy for which, as 1 (Sir William)
knew, he had devoted himself since
his accession to office, was tumbled
down like a house of cards." Eng
lands action, the Imperial Chancel-
lor declared, was unthinkable. 1t
was like striking a man from behind
while he was fighting for his life
against two assailants" Sir William
replied: "a solemn compact simply
had to be kept" (Same Report.)
That Germany was confident of
England's friendship is conspicuous
not only from the above interviews
and negotiations, but also from the
evidence of Germany's white Pa
per-" Furthermore Prince Lichnow-
sky, Germany,'s representative in
London. accused Lord Grey of offer
ing. French neutrality. Grey excuses
himself on the plea that he was mis-