New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-06

81
London. oct. 5.-The Belgian LeGa'
ton has issued a copy of the Belgian
Grey Book containing the diplomatic
correspondence relating to the wal
me correspondence to some extent
CunpIements the English White Paper
and Russian Orange Book. II ranges
from July "a to August ~. Naturall!;
most Of the documents cover GROUND
already familiar. but several new iacls
Some of these are Of considerable
interest. II is interesting, Tor exam
ple. to note that Belgium took alarm
carly in the crisis. The Austrian uIu-
matum was delivered TO SerNla on
July "a. On the same day the Belgian
Foreign Minister sent under cover TO
the Belgian ministers IN the great cap
itals tho following note:
international situation IS grave,
of conflict between several
powers cannot be omitted from pre-
occupations Of Kings government: All
measures necessary to insure obseE-
walton of her Belgian neutrality
nevertheless, has been taken by the
Kings government. The Belgian army
is modified and takes its stand on
strategic positions chosen 70 insure
the defence of the country and the re
spect Of its neutrality. The forts o.
Antwerp and of the Mouse are IN a
state Of defence"
France Gave Promise.
This was anticipated by a note. anC
its presentation to the various govern
ments was to be withheld until tn
Il ussels government definitely realized
il. The actual order for mobilization
was not given until July 81, two day
before TIE Belgian army had been pu
on a strengthened peace footing" Oh
Julv 81 the French Minister at Brus
sells waited upon the Belgian Foreigl
Minister and gave him the following
assurance: 81,
"No incursion Of French troops will
take place into Belgium, even if i'm
portant forces should be massed on tn
frontiers Of your country. Franc
would not like to have the responsible
/ lily of committing. in regard 10 Bel
gium, the first act OF hostility. lnstruc
/ lions in this sense viii be given to tn
I French authorities
A more formal assurance was give
I by the French Minister in these terms
81 am authorized to declare that in cas-
Of an International conflict the gov
eminent Of the republic, as il has a.
ways declared, viii respect the neutrali
Is Of Belgium. In Hypothetical cas-
Of that neutrality not being respecte
by another power the French govern
mert, to safeguard its own defence
might be led 20 modify It's attitude
Germany Breaks Word.
On July 81 the Chief of the RelRial
Foreign Office and the Secretaire Gen
eral had an important conversation
/ with Herr Won Buelow, the German
/ Minister a. Brussels. II was pointe'
out to him that in the course Of tn
controversy raised in 1911 by the in
PRODUCTION Of the Dutch project for tn
fertilization Of the Scheldt hi.
predecessor. Herr Won FlOtow, had as
Sured the Belgian government that II
the even, of 4 Franco German war Ger
many would not violate Belgian neu
tralty; that VI. Bcthmann-llollweg, thu
Imperial Chancellor, had given similar
assurance; that in 1913 Herr vor
Jag0w. the German Foreign Secretary
had made similar statements OF re
assuring character IN the Budget Com
mitee Of the Reichstag concerning th'
neutrality Of Belgium; 20 which The
German Minister replied that he wa
aware of the conversation with his pred
ecessor. and that "he was certain tina
the sentiments expressed at that epoci
had not changed"
Yet within forty-eight hours the same
Herr Won Buelow delivered the Ger
man ultimatum. The text of the Bel
gian reply has not hitherto appeared
Ii IS as fellows:
"Bv It's note of August ,, 1914. the
German government. makes it known
that, according TO its certain informa
ton, the French forces have the in
tontion Of marching upon the Meuse
by way of Givet and Dinant and that
Belgium, Notwithstanding her good in
tcntion. would not be in a condition ia
rcpel without assistance an advance
march osethe French troops. The Ger