The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 1914-08-28
ENGLISH AMBASSADOR TO
BERLIN MAKES SUCH A
REPORT
THE ONLY COURSE:
England Was Honor Bound To
Defend Belgium's Neutrality
Which Germany Ignored

British foreign office tonight issued
the report of Sir William Goschcn,
former ambassador at Berlin on the
rupture Of diplomatic relations with
Germany.
The report, dated August 8, says
that the ambassador called on tho
German secretary OF state, Gottlieb
Won Jagow. and inquired whether
Germany would refrain from violat-
Ing Belgian neutrality.
Herr yon JagOw," the report con-
tinues. replied that he was sorry to
say his answer must bc no. since
German troops having crossed the
frontier that morning, Belgian ncu-
traiity already had 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 cas-
lest wav 10 get we'll ahead with their
operations and endeavor to strike a
decisive blow as carly as possible.
No Other Alternative.
1T was a matter OF life or death
for them, as. II they had gone by the
more southern route thcy could not
have hoped. in view Of tho paucity of
roads and the strength Of tho fort
reyses. to linyc rot through without
formidable opposition, cntailing great
loss Of time.
This loss of time would mean time
gained by the Russians for the bring
ing up vi their tTuup5 TO thv German
frontier. Rapidly OF action was the
great asset, while that OF Russia was
the inexhaustible supply OF troops.
II pointed out to Herr Won Jagow
this fact accomplished of the viola
tion Of the Belgian frontier rendered.
ag he would readily understand, the
situation exceedingly grave and I
asked him whether there still 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
Plendfngs Were In Vain.
The British ambassador went to tho
German foreign office again the same
afternoon and informed the secre-
tary OF state that unless the imperial
government could give asSuranccs By
twelve o'clock that night that they
would proceed no further with; the
violation Of the Belgian frontier and,
stop their advance. he had been in
imperial governor that his majesty's
structed by Sir Edward Grey to de-
mand his passports and to inform the
government would have to take all
steps in It's power to uphold neutral
Belgium and the observance of tho
treaty to which Germany was as much
q part as Great Britain.
Herr Won Jagow," yays the report,
replied that to his great regret he
could give no other answer than that
which he had given me earlier in tho
day, namely; that the safety OF the
empire rendered 1t necessary that tho
imperial troops should advance
through Belgium.
Decision Was Ffnal.
II gave hiy excellency written
summary OF your telegram. and point-
Ing out that you had mentioned 12
o'clock as the time when his majesty's
government would expect AIN answer
asked him whether in view OF tho ter
rible consequences which would nee
essarily ensue. IL It was not possible
event at the last moment that their
answer should be reconsidered. He
replied that IL the time given wero
even "a hours or more, his answer
must be the same.
Il said that in that case I should
have to demand my passports.
"Tho Interview took place aoout
z o'clock In short conversation
which ensned Herr Won Jagow ex-
pressed his poignant regret at the
crumbling of his entire policy and
that or tile imperial chancellor, which
had been to make friends with Groat
Britain, and then. through Great
Britain. to get closer to France.
Il said that this sudden end to my
work In Berlin was to me also a mat
ter Of reep regret and disappoint-
ment, but that he must understand
that under the circumstances and tn
view OF our engagements his majes-
tvs government could not have acted
otherwise than 1t had DONE"
Chancellor Was Excited.
The ambassador. then went to see
the imperial chancellor, Dr. yon
Refh1n ann Hnilreg &C., $ eshnm he found
excited. 81, n 3 q. 4,
"The chancelior.r' says @she .report,
began . ilarangue which 4asssta about
twnety minutes. He eaid the step
taken by Great Britain. was terrible
20 9 degree just fora ,2eeSa GDeutral-
tty word =sA.sH L. t.2ae ;a ;iaai &
been So often disfegarGedYtstfs Tor a
scrap Of papor. Great Britain was go-
Ing to make war on d kfEa inati6n,
who, deTred nothing better than 10 be
friends with her. And his efforts In
thatt direction had been fa4dES&h Sse-
less by this last terrible step and the
policy to which i know he had des1
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