The Sentinel=record., 1914-08-28
HIGH GERMAN OFFICIAL NEARLY
HAS SPASM WHEN ENGLAND
FINALLY DECLARED WAR.
SCORED The UNITED KINGDOM
For Striking Germany Just over the
Little Word Neutrality" and
Scrap of Paper Called information
ally, Treaty.

London, Aug. 27.-1O:4O p. m.-The
British foreign office tonight issued
the report OF Sir William Goschen.
former ambassador at Berlin, regard
ing the breaking of diplomatic reid
tions with German,
The report, dated August 5, says
the ambassador he called the German
secretary of state, Gottlieb Won ia
',gow, and inquired whether Germany
would refrain from violating Belgian
neutrality.
Herr Won Jagow." the report con-
tinues. replied that he was sorry to
say his answer must be No. since
German troops having crossed the
frontier that morning, Belgian neu-
trality already has been violated.
Herr Won Jagow again went into the
reasons why the imperial government
had been obliged to take this step,
namely, that they had to advance into
France by the quickest and easiest
way to get well ahead with their op-
erations and endeavor to strike a de-
cisive blow as early as possible.
1T was matter of life or death
for them, as if they had gone by the
more southern route they could not
have hoped in view of the paucity of
roads and the strength of the fortress
to have gone through without form
liable opposition, entailing great loss
of time.
This loss OF time would mean time
gained by the Russians for the bring
ing up of their troops to the German
frontier. Rapidity of action was the
great asset, while that of Russia was
the inexhaustible supply of troops.
Il pointed out to Herr Won Jagow
that this fact accomplished the viola
tion of the Belgian frontier and rem
dered as he would readily under
stand, the situation exceedinly grave,
and asked him whether there stil
was not time to draw back and avoid
possible consequences which both he
and | would deplore.
'He replied that for reasons he had
given me 1t was now impossible for
him to draw back"
The British ambassador went to the
German foreign office again the same
afternoon and informed the secretary
of state that unless the imperial gov
ernment could give assurances by IL
o'clock that night that they would
proceed no further with the violation
of the Belgian frontier and stop their
advance, he had been instructed by
Sir Edward Grey to demand his pass
ports and to inform the imperial gov
ernment that his maiesty's govern
ment would have to take all steps in
its power to uphold Belgium and the
observance of the treaty to which
Germany was as much party as
Great Britain.
Herr Won Jagow," says the report,
replied that to his great regret he
could give no other answer than that
which he had given me earlier in the
empire rendered it necessary that the
imperial troops should advance
through Belgium.
Il gave his excellency a written
summary of your telegram and, point
ing out that you had mentioned II
o'clock when your majesty's govern
ment would expect an answer, asked
| him whether, in view of the terrible
consequences which would necessa-
| rily ensue, it was not possible, even
, at the Iast moment, that their answer
, should be reconsidered. He replied
! that If the time given were even "A
hours or more his answer might be
! the same.
| Il said in that case that | should
have to demand my passports.
| The interview took place about
O'Clock. In short conversation
, which ensued, Herr Won Jagow ex
pressed his poignant regret at the
crumbling of his entire policy ant
. that of the imperial chancellor
/, which had been to make friends will
Great Britain and then through Grea
/ Britain to get closer to France.
Il said that this sudden end to m,