New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-05
Belgium and Great Britain ARC
Drawn Into the Great
European War.

Rcrlin aud Vienna are OeSlnhi"s ~
bismarck is dead The circle of enemies u'"""
about Germany and Austria Hungary was Ell
,arred Yesterday by the Kaiscrs DETERMINATION u
violate the neutrality Of Belgium, just as he nau
already violated the neutrality OF AuAennOO't'
Iuycmburc was without power TO protect "ss'
AGAINST outrage. but Belgium, though minor
state could not yield to demand which cna"e"s'U
t,s honor and insulted Its sovereignty
The Belgian government made preparations 10
-os,st the German invasion but even before II
could declare war it received declaration OF wa
from Germany. Belgium, which had no part what
o- IN the intcralliance quarrel started by
Austria Hungary, is now forced by Germany un-
unsuitable aggression into the great European con
hict
Rclrium's population is about 100000 and us
army on = war footing consists Of nearly 2ooOW
men. To antagonize a nation with those resources
soons hardly worth the free path into Northeast
o-n France which Germany has demanded The
German troops may crush the Belgian forces ana
.o,vo and hold q right Of way. but at least 10000
"a 75OoO men will have to be left in active service
IN Belgium in order to protect the rear Of the force
operating in Northeastern France That Will prop
sblv proye costly price to pay for freedom 10
strske At Paris from new direction
The assault on Belgian independence was as'
- % ansl provocation TO drive Great Britain into
AR Possibly Germany felt that Great Britains
4 hostility had 10 be reckoned with in any event
erit,sb interests have been preponderantly on the
q side of full cooperation with Russia and france
81 Rut II would have been great gain for German
n d,nomacy II Great Britain could have been per
shaded 70 observe neutralty-even partial neu-
II .r,,,tv-for a time That would have left France
81 a,.besrtened and perhaps less able TO withstand
II the e,st shock of the German attack. But large
a,nlomst,c ends have been sacrificed to the needs
81 ~ a military policy OF thunderbolt activity.
81 Great Britain's ultimatum to Berlin demanding
"a comnIcte respect for Belgian neutrality was tho
british answer to Germany's violation of treaties
But that ultmatum went on an empty mission
hGermany having anticipated it by declaring war OF
<NBelCium. There was nothing left for the govern
n nent in London TO do but to meet Germany's de
ri fance With a similar defiance War, therefore was
declared last night the expiration Of the twelve
hours allowed for an answer
~ The ultimatum, though fruitless, had some uses
"a Behind it British sentiment could rally with prac
"a fical unsnimity. since German disregard of th'
rights Of states like Belgium. Luxembourg and Hol
81 land was as dangerous threat to British security
q IN the North Sea as has been the creation Of 4
j great fighting German navy.
Great Britain could not well have kept out Of
the war. her interest in holding German power
within bounds practically compelling her to strike
< against Germany when so golden an opportunity
: was offered But the wanton attack on Belgium
ished that clear moral justification for decar
81 var which civilized country always prefers
8 ave. Great Britain did not plan for this
" light or rush hastily into it, The necessary provo
cation in the eyes Of history was furnished 10y
q Berrns Reputation OF the international compact
guaranteeing Belgiums neutrality and indepen
deuce
4 Great Britain's participation in the war cannot
j fan 10 restrict its scope and shorten IT, To that
extent the world generally must benefit. II Great
i Britain's imposing sea force should soon drive
4 Germanys fleets from the the worlds com
mcrce could be resumed in large part and the
present block on international transactions
I be raised. American food supplies could be NOV
B freely to Great Britain, France the Scandinavian
& countries and the Mediterranean region, and the
damage inflicted on neutral nations by the war
4 would be nercifully minimized
with Great Britain an armed neutral allowing
naval warfare TO rage outside the English Channel
commerce would have had TO keep to its hiding
: places There would have been long period of
& embargo and destruction and finally Great Britain
would have had to meet the very same issue raised
M the outset whether OF not II should settle .or
j good aud all with germany which OF them was
4 10 have the rlgh Of way as a sea power
TO all those who are, eager 10 see the losses