New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-28

opposition, entailiug great loss Of time.
This loss Of time would mean time
gained by the Russians for the bringing
up Of their troops 10 the German from
tier. Rapidly Of action was the great
German asset, while that Of Russia
was the inexhaustaible supply o..
troops.
81 pointed out 10 Herr Won Jagow
that this fat accompli of the violation
of the Belgian frontier rendered, as
he would readily understauf re stu.
alton exceedingly grave, and ! asked
him whether there was still not time
70 draw back and avoid possible conse-
quences, which both he and 1 would
deplore.
"He replied that for reasons he had
given me il was now impos bic for
him TO draw back
The British Ambass ador proceeded 20
the German Foreign Office again Il t.a
same afternoon and informed the Sec
rotary Of State that unless the imperial
government could give assurances by
twelve o'clock that night that they
would proceed no further with the vlo-
lation Of the Belgian frontier and stop
their advance. he had been instructed
70 demand his pas ports and 20 Ir-
form tho imperial government that,
his majesty 5 government would have
to take all steps IN their power 20 up-
hold neutral Belgium and the ohserv-
ance OF the treaty 10 which Germany
was as much a party as Great Britain.
Herr Won Jagow," says the report
"renIed that 10 his great regret be
CO az give no other answer than that
which he had given me earlier In the
o. FE o. %
empire rendered 10 absolutely ucce--
sary that the imperial troops should
advance through Belgium.
Germany Determined.
81 gave his excellcncy "a written SUM
mary OF your telegram and, pointing
out that you had mentioned twelve
o'clock as the time when his majcsty's
government would expect an answer.
asked MIN whether. in view Of the ter
rlble consequences which would ueces-
sarily ensue, It was not possible. even
at the last moment, that their answer
should be reconsidered. lie replied
that If the time given were even TWEEN
ty-tour hours or more, his answer must
be the same.
have to demand my passports.
"The interview took place about T
o'clock. In a short conversation which
ensued Herr Won Jagow expressed his
poignant regret az the crumb.iUg Of his
entire policy ana that Of the Imperial
Chancellor, which had been &C. make
friends with Great Britain, and then,
through Great Britain, TO get closer 10
France
81 said that this sudden end 10 my
G.VL ia aa. rrf
OF deep regret and disappointment, but
that he must understand that under the
circumstances and in view of our en-
gagements his majesty's government
could not have acted otherwise than
they had done"
The Ambassador then went TO see
the lmperia. Chancellor. Dr. Won Beth
mann-Hollweg, and he found him in
very excited condition.
The Chancellor" says the report,
began harangue, which lasted about
twenty minutes. lie said the step
taken by Great Britain was terrible To-
degree. Just for a word, neutrality
"A word. which in war time had been
SO often disregarded; just for a scrap
OF paper Great Britain was going 30
make war on kindred nation, who
desired nothing better than 20 bee
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 20
office, was tumoled down Ike q house
of cards.
What we had done was uuthjnk-
able. 1t was like striking a man from
behind, while he was lighting for his
life against two assaiiants. lie held
Great Britain responsible for all the
terrible events that might happen
81 protested strongly against this
statement and said that IN the same
way as he and Herr Won Jagow wished
me TO understand that for strategical
reasons it was matter Of life or death
10 Germany TO advance through Bel
gium and violate the lattcr's neutral
ity, so | would wish him 20 understand
that IL was, so 10 speak. a matter Of
life or death for the honor of Great
Britain that she should keep her sol
emn engagement TO DO her utmost 10
defend Belgium's neutrality II attacked.
A solemn compact simply had 10 be
kept, or what confidence could any one