New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-20

ported in the English White Book No.
1913, when the former asked Sir I'd
ward Grey whether If Germany gave
a PROMISE not to violate Belgian neu-
trality England would engage 10 re-
main neutral; upon which Grey replied
that he could not say that.
Gar Forced Into War.
IL is therefore perfectly evident, in
the first place, that in case of Ger
man war that was sure TO be brought
about by Russia's mobilization against
Germany, England would go to war
against Germany. and il has been
proved that the English assurance TO
that effect has strengthened the hands
Of the Russian war party, which there
upon got the upper hand and forced
the Russian Car into the war (see re-
port of Belgian Charge d'Affairs at st.
Petersburg TO the Minister of Foreign
Affairs at Brussels July 800.
In the second place, it is shown that
England meant, with or without Bel
GUMS will, TO land her troops in vio-
lation of Belgium's neutrality in Bel
GUM irrespective of whether German
troops were marching through Belgium
or not, because no such declaration had
been made in 1912, or any time there
after until August 4 in the German
"Reichstag." II is further evident that
as soon as Russia modified, Germany
would have TO fight Russia as well as
France and England, and that in such
a fight she was forced to draw quick
" when she saw her enemies reaching
for their hip pockets. And only the
prompt action at Liege that put this
1xt-a m n ~ NJ
the railway connections TO France and
Germany, into German hands prevented
the English landing and invading Bel
GUM.
The guilt of the Belgian government
in this matter consists. in the first
place. in making and concerning plans
with the English and French govern
ments as TO what stems to take in case
of war A plan of the French mobiliza-
tion was found in the same docket,
and it cannot be presumed that the
between British and French
experts was known 10 the British mil
tary attache in Brussels.
Greindl's Advice Unheeded.
1t is, Furthermore, impossible 70 be
lieve that the French railway for the
shipping of British troops from Calais,
Dunkirk and Boulogne into Belgium in
Belgian cars could have been used with
out the knowledge of the French au-
thorities. Second, that Belgium did not
heed the advice Of Baron Greindl, and
did not try to insure her independence
in the same way by approaching Ger
many and making a similar contract
with her. This disposes Of the conten-
ton that the Belgian conversations had
a purely defensive character as against
all corners. II shows the one sided
ness Of the inclination, which is evil
denced also by the display Of all Bel
gums fortresses on the eastern from
tier.
The Belgian people had been told at
the beginning Of the war that Germany
demanded that the Belgian force should
fight with the Germans against the
French and the English. and the truth
had become known only three full
months later. when the Belgian Gray
Book was published. Then Belgium was
occupied territory. While
Belgium pretended neutrality and
friendship toward Germany, IL was
secretly planning for her defeat IN
a war which was considered unayoid-
able. The poor Belgian people, how
ever. must suffer because OF the large
ambitions of King Leopold, of Congo
fame, and Of a broken down diplomacy.
The Imperial Chancellor has declared
that there was irrefutable proof that u
Germany did not march through Bel
gium her enemies would. This proof.
as now being produced. Is Of the
strongest character. So the Chancellor
was right in appealing 10 the law o.
NECESSITY, although he had 20 regret
that it violated international law.
This law Of necessity has been recog-
nized a. paramount by nearly every
prominent statesman, including Glad
stone. and by all teachers Of interna-
tional law. even By the United States
Supreme Courts decision. Volume 1870,
page sol. stating in regard TO the treaty
with China concerning Chinese immi-
grafton into the United States;
at will not be presumed that the
legislative department Of the govern
ment will lightly pass laws which are
in conflict with the treaties Of the coun-
try. but that circumstances may arise
which would not only justify the gov
eminent in disregarding their stipula-
lions. but demand i'm the interests o.
the country that it should do so, there
can be no question. Unexpectedly
eyents may call for change in the
policy Of the country.
And 20 strengthen this opinion an
other decision by Justice Curtis, rem
dered in 1908. may be cited. stating
that. while IL would be a matter Of the
utmost gravity and delicacy 10 refuse
TO execute a treaty, the power 70 do so
was g prerogstive Of which no country
could be deprived without deeply az
fecting its independence"
We now let these Belgian documents
speak for themselves:
l.
Translatinr of the nrieiral draft