The Washington herald., 1914-08-05
KAISER DECLARES
WAR ON BRITAIN
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

| Tense silence reIgned as Premier Asquith
| arose to make his long-expected state
ment, and no sound was heard In the
chamber as he made known the fact
\ that an ultimatum expiring at midnight
had been sent to Germany.
| The premier stated that Sir Edward
Grey, the Foreign Secretary, had sent to
| the British Ambassador at Berlin tele-
gram informing him Of the appeal from
King Albert of Belgium for diplomatic
intervention. He proceeded to state that
Belgium had categorically refused to
| sanction a fragrant violation OF the law
| of nations" and then announced that
the German government had been asked
to give a satisfactory reply by midnight
on the question of neutrality.
After making his statement, Premier
Asquith produced the Kings proclama-
ton calling out the army, including re-
serves and territorials.
At this point Chancellor Lloyd George
asked II the question OF the unemployed
was receiving government attention. To
this the premier replied that the govern
ment was preparing a scheme for the
distribution Of food and hoped 1t would
be completed in a day or two.
Indemnity Is scorned.
Continuing, the premier said that Ger
many had assured Belgium that II would
compensate her for any damage she
might suffer by the movement Of troops
across Belgian territory.
THE British government cannot regard
this as in any way satisfactory" added
the premier. I'VE must protect Bel
GUMS neutrality to prevent what means
to her a question OF life or death-the
advance Of troops through Belgium"
Mr.. Asquith then read a telegram from
the German foreign secretary to Sir Ed
ward Grey, which stated:
Please dispel any distrust that may
exist on the part OF the British govern
ment regarding our intentions by repeat
ing most positively the formal assurance
that even in case of armed conflict with
Belgium, Germany will under no pretense
whatever annex Belgian territory"
The reading Of this telegram brought
shouts of derision from the whole house.
In conclusion, the telegram stated that
Germany could not be expected to place |
her army in a position to be attacked by |
French troops which might cross Bel |
gium and Germany, and, therefore, disre- |
gard Belgium's protest.
Text of Peace Note.
The contents of the telegram Of King |
George. which was sent to Emperor
Nicholas Of Russia in a last attempt to
MAINTAIN the peace OF Europe, ana inc L
text Of the Cars reply were made public
here tonight.
King George, after declaring that there
must have been some misunderstanding.
wrote:
81 make q personal appeal to you to \
remove the Misrepresentation and leave
open the ground for negotiations for pos
sible peace"
The fact that Germany had declared
war, the Emperor said in his reply, made
L impossible for him to comply with King
Georges request He wrote:
Germany showed no disposition to
mediate. and lher preparations and those
Of Austria made IT imperative that Rus
Ma should mobilize, but ! gave most
categorical assurance to the German Em-
Deror that the Russian troops would not
move so long as the negotiations con-
tinued.
II trust that your country will not fan
20 support Russia and France. God
bless and protect you"
KinR's Declaration.
The London Gazette tonight published !
! special edition containing the follow |
ng declaration OF martial law In the I