New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-06
GRAY BOOK
TELLS STORY OF WAX

man government feels itself under the
obligation to prevent that attack ana
10 violate Belgian territory Under
these circumstances Germany proposes
TO the Kings government to adopt IN
,eferennc to her a friendly attitude
and engages at moment OF peace 10
guarantee the integrity Of the kingdom
and It's possessions in all their extent.
Must Yield or Fight.
The note adds that if Belgium puts
any difficulties in the way Of the Tor
ward movement Of German troops Ger
many will be obliged to consider her
as an enemy and leave the final settle
ment between the two states TO the
decision Of arms
This note has produced in the
Kings government profound ana
grievOus astonlshment, says the nSI-
pian reply. "The intentions II attr0-
utes TO France are in contradiction
with the formal declarations which
have been made TO us on August in
the name of the government Of the
republic. Moreover, if. contrary to our
expectation. violation Of Belgian
neutrality should come TO be made by
France, Belgium would fulfil all her
international duties, and her army
would oppose TO the invader the most
vigorous resistance. The treaties oil
1889. confirmed by the treaties OF lSIU,
consecrate independence and neutral
ity to Belgium under a guarantee OF
the powers, and notably under that OF
mis- majesty the King of Prussia.
Belgium ever has been faithful 10
her international obligations. She has
accomplished her duties in spirit OF
! loyal impartiality. She has neglected
no effort to maintain her neutrality
/ and to have it respected. An attempt
upon her independence, which the Ger
man government threatens, would con
/ stitute fragrant violation OF the
/ rights Of nations. No strategic con-
/ sideration justifes violation of a
right. Were it to accept the PROPOSE
tions that have been put to IT. the Bel
eian government would sacrifice its
honor as q nation and at the same time
90 back in its duties toward Europe.
"Con scious of the role that Belgium
has played for more than eighty years
in the worlds civilization, it realizes
and believes that the independence Of
Belgium can be preserved only by the
prevention of the violation of her neu-
trality. If that hope is ill-founded. the
Belgian Government is firmly resolved
30 repel by every means in its power
any attempt upon ITS right
IL j. to be noted that no. until a
definite infraction Of this territorial
right had been committed did Belgium
appeal to the Triple Entente powers
for assistance. On August 9 the Dutch
Minister Of Foreign Affairs consented,
evidently with some reluctance. %
transmit as an intermediary the le-
a .lsr-r,v
The American representative had 10
decline 70 undertake the tasE. The
German offer was as follows:
The fortress of Llege has been taken
by assault after a courageous defence.
The German government regrets that
i in consequence of the attitude Of the
Belgian government against Germany
such bloody encounters should have
occurred. Germany does not want an
enemy of Belgium 1t is only by the
/ force Of events that she has been
4 forced, By reason OF the military meas
, ures of France, 10 take the grave de-
termination of entering Belgium and
occupying Liege as the base Tor ncr
/ further military operations. Now that
the Belgian army has in heroic re-
sistance against great superiority
maintained the honor OF its arms in Il
most brilliant tashlOn, me herman gov
eminent prays His Majesty the King
and the Belgian government TO avert
/ Tor Belgium further horrors OF war.
The German government is ready for
any agreement with Belgium which
could be reconciled in any conceivable
wav with its conflict with France. Once
more Germany offers her solemn assur-
ance that she has not been actuated
bv any intention TO appropriate Bel
gan territory and that that intention
is far from her. Germany is always
ready to evacuate Belgium as soon as a
state of war will permit her"
Belgium simply answered that the
German request. despite its compli-
ments. was merely a repetition OF the
demand or ultimatum and that all that
Belgium could do was to repeat her
former answer.