TaÌˆgliches Cincinnatier volksblatt. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1885-1919, 1914-12-21

simile. In It be said that it was MOI
quite safe to trust to the British ant
French TO keep the Belgian neutrality
that it was not wise to take all meas
ures only against German infractior
Of Belgian neutrality and that the Brit
ish spirit was clearly shown by tn,
words of Colonel Barnardiston that tn,
Scheldt might be used for transporting
troops into Belgium.
Furthermore, it win be remembered
that the British and French govern
ments violently protested when th'
plans were made public that the Dutcl
government intended to fortify tn,
mouth Of the Scheldt in 1906. But In
1912, when the Balkan crisis became
acute, the British went one step further
When Colonel Bridges, in conver
sstion with General Jungblut, the chief
OF the Belgian general staff, said that
England was ready to strike, that
100000 men were ready TO be landed
and that they would land them as soon
as any European conflict would break
OUT General Jungblut protested that
for such step the permission OF Bel
GUM was necessary. The cool reply
was that the English knew 1t, but
thought that, as Belgium was not
strong enough alone TO protect herself,
England would land troops anyway.
General Jungblut answered that Bel
gi,im felt strong enough TO protect her
self, which il in keeping with her dec
Iaration 10 France, when she Offered to
protect Belgium by five army corps, az
reported in the British White Book
The position Of England was therefore
that, while in 1906 they had already
concerted plans for a joint action, in
1912 England intended action in any
case. should European conflagration
break out.
ENGLAND DETERMINED UPON
WAR.
Now, II must be reeollected that as
early ms July %, 1914. Sir Edward Grey
said 10 Prince Liehnowsky, n men
TONED in his communication TO Sir u.
6oschen: "The situation was very
grave. While IL was restricted TO the
issues at present actually involved, we
had not thought OF interfering in it.
But II Germany became involved in IL
ard then France the issue might be so
great that it would involve all Euro
Dcsn interests, and did not wish him
10 be misled by the friendly tone Of our
ation-which hoped would
,ontinue--into thinking that We should
stand aside British White Papers
No. s9D
This was at time when the Belgian
ssue had not been raised AT all. II
,nly came about by Sir Edward Grey's
,otes written on July 81. Thus the
British entanglement with France, as
evidenced by the British White Book,
PREVENTED England taking the same at.
.itude in iOis which she had taken in
$40, when she made treaty with
rance as against the German invasion
4 Belgium and with Germany as
eainst the French invasion of Belgium. |
similar agreement was suggested by
'rince Liehnowsky to Sir Edward Grey |
m Aug. ], 1914, as reported in the |
;nglish White Book No. l23, when the
oriner asked Sir Edward Grey whether
Germany gave promise not 70
'iolate Belgian neutrality England |
rould engage to remain neutral, upon
which Grey replied that he could not |
ay that.
II is therefore perfectly evident, in
he first place. that in case Of German
var that was sure TO be brought about
y Russia's mobilization against Ger.
iany, England would go TO war against
ie-nany, and il has been proved that
he English assurance TO that effect has
the hands Of the Russian
Tar party, which thereupon got the
pper hand and forced the Russian Car
ito the war tsee report Of Belgian
barge d'affaires at ST. Petersburg to
be Minister Of Foreign Affairs at
ussels July 30D.
BELGIAN GOVERNMENTS GUILT.
In the second place, it il shown that
ngland meant, with or without Bel
iUm's will, TO land her troops In viola.
on Of Belgiun's neutrality in Belgium
respective OF whether German troops
ere marching through Belgium or not,
eeause no such declaration had been
,ade in 1912 or any time thereafter
ntil Aug. in the German Reiehstag.
is further evident that as soon as
ussia modified, Germany would have
, fight Russia as well az France and
ngland and that In such fight she
ms forced 10 draw quickly when she
w her enemies reaching for their hip
oekets. And only the prompt action
! Liege that put this important rail.
ay center commanding the railway
TO France and Germany into
erman hands prevented the English
a II I