Norwich bulletin., 1914-08-28

1OnQOns Aug. Sf, ll-4O D. m--1 us British foreign office issued tonight in the form of a white paper the report of Sir William Goschen, the former ambassador at Berlin, on the rupture of diplomatic relations with Germany.
 The report is dated August s and says that in accordance with instruc- tions of August 4, from Sir Edward Gray, secretary of state for foreign affairs. the ambassador called upon the German secretary of state Gottlieb Won Jagow. He inquired whether Germany would refrain from violating Belgian neutrality.
 Reason For Penetrating Belgium.
 Her Won Jagow,' the report con- tinues. 'at once replied that he was sorry to say his answer must be No as in consequence of the German troops having crossed the frontier that morning, Belgian neutrality had al- ready been violated. Herr Won Ja- gow again went into the reasons why the imperial government bad been obliged to take this step, namely, that they had to advance into France by the quickest and easiest way, so as to be able to get well ahead with their operations and endeavor to strike some decisive blows early as possible It was a 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 fortresses. to have got through without formidable opposition, entailing great loss of time.
 Rapidity of Action German Asset.
 This loss of time would mean time gained by the Russians for the bring ing up of their troops to the Ger man frontier. Rapidity of action was the great German asset, while that of Russia was the inexhaustible supply of troops.
 'I pointed out to Herr Won Jagow that this fait accomph of the violation of the Belgian frontier rendered, as he would readily understand. the sit uation exceedingly grave and I asked him whether there was still not time to draw back and avoid possible con- sequences which both he and l would deplore.
 He replied that for reasons he had given me it was now impossible for him to draw back"
 Interview With German Secretary.
 The British ambassador proceeded to the German foreign office again the same afternoon and informed the sec retary of state that unless the imperial government could give assurances by 12 o'clock that night they would pro- ceed no further with the violation of the Belgian frontier and stop their ad-
  mand his passports and to inform the imperial government that His Mai estys government would have to take all steps in their power to uphold neu- tral Belgium and the observance of the treaty to which Germany was as much a party as Great Britain
 Her 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 day, namely, that the safety of the empire rendered it absolutely necessa- " that the imperial troops should ad- vance through Belgium
 Would Not Reconsider.
 'I gave His Exce1lency a written summary of your telegram and point ing out that you had mentioned r. o'clock as the time when His Majes- tyIs government would expect an an swer. asking him whether. in view ot the terrible consequences which would necessarily ensue, it was not possible even at the last moment that their answer should be reconsidered- He piled that if the time given were even 24 hours or more his answer must be the same.
 T said that in that case I should have to demand my passports.
 "The interview took place about seven o'clock In a short conversation V hich ensued Herr Won Jagow ex- pressed his poignant regret at the crumbling of his entire policy and that os the imperial chancellor, which had been to make friends with Great Britain and then through Great Britain. to get closer to France
 T said that this sudden end to my work in Berlin was to me. also. a mat. ter of deep regret and disappointment but that he must understand that un- der the circumstances and in view of our engagements His Majesty's gov ernment could not have acted other wise than they had done"
 WE-at Imperial Chancellor Said.
 The ambassador then went to see the imperial chancellor Dr. Won Beth- mann -Hollweg. and he found him in a very excited condition.
 "The chancellor" says the report began a harangue, which lasted about twenty minutes He said the ster taken by Great Britain was terrible tc a degree Just. for a word. 'neutraliay "a word. which in war time had been co often disregarded; just for a scrar of paper. Great Britain was going to make war on a kindred nation, who desired nothing better than to bc friends with her. All his efforts in that direction had been rendered use- less by this last terrible step. and the policy to which, as I knew. he had de- voted himself since his accession tC office. was tumbled down like a house of cards.
 Held Great Britain Responsible.
 'FWhaf uye had do1a u-aa ,,1fh;rL,