New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-31
DECLARES GREY
DODGES ISSUE
Berlin Repeats Belgium
Violated Her Own
Neutrality.
"FOSTERED BRITISH
MILITARY PLANS"
Official Statement Replies TO
Minister'S Attack on Beth
mann-Hollweg.

Berlin, Aug. 30 (by wireless to Say
Vile, Long Island).-The North Ger
man Gazette publishes an official reply
20 the recent statement by Sir Edward
Grey, the British Secretary for For-'
eign Affairs, as to the speech of Chan
cellor Won Bethmann- Hoilweg at the
opening of the last session Of the
Reichstag. The Oversees News Agency
to-day summarizes the reply as fol-
lows:
"The article alludes to the fact that
Sir Edward Grey automatically ignored
the valuable material contained In re-
ports from Belgian Ministers to various
European capitals prior to the war. re-
Gently published in Germany, but goes
exhaustively into the subject OF
threats against Belgian neutrality. The
Chancellor never said that Belgium
sold her neutrality to England, but as
serted that documents proved that Bel
GUM had fostered British military
plans, thus herself violating her neu-
trality.
"The article points out that the dis
cussion Of all evenruaiities by British
and Belgian military officers must have
been reported to ths 3ritish Cabinet
Documents found in brussels, 1t is as
serted, show conclusgely that British
military attache coolly told his Belgian
colleague that Great Britain would land
troops in Belgium without Belgum's
consent. and that Belgium had decided
not to resist British violation of Bel
cian neutrality; but that upon the
mere supposition that German in
vasion was possible the Belgian gov
eminent prepared complete plans Tor
cooperation with British forces. Such
\ country, II is declared, is not a neu-
trial country.
"The Chancellor, it is added, did not
endeavor TO bring to light facts that
would Justify a violation of Belgian
neutrality In August, 1914, and stated
In his Rciehstng speech that German
troops invaded Belgium after the latter
had already broken her own neutrality.
Ridiculous Excitement.
Resides" the Gazette" continues,
"the excitement over the morals of vio-
lation of a seventy -year-old treaty
made for entirely different purposes
was ridiculous for a country which un-
concernedly disregarded promise sol
EMMY given twenty-five years ago TO
all Europe, and which continuously sup
ported French violations Of the obliga-
tons accepted in 1911 regarding Mo-
rocco"
The memorandum in which Prince
Lichnowsky. the German Ambassador at
London, recorded his interview with
the British Secretary for Foreign At
fairs is reproduced as follows:
"Sir Edward Grey sent word that he
would like to bid me farewell; also that
he had a confidential communication TO
make that possibly would be valuable.
| answered that it would be painful for
me to meet him again, but that would
yield TO his request.
Grey's Communication.
"Sir Edward Grey said that the de-
Gliding consideration was that partici-
patton in the war would injure England
little more than a passive course, and
that England as a participating power
would be in better position to throw
her influence into the balance than by
remaining neutral, because she would
be able at any time TO threaten to with
draw.
1.-THE violation of recognized interna
tional treaties guaranteed by England,
he said, made it impossible for her TO
stand aside. Also ne regarded il as in
expedient to consider the suggestion of
the Imperial Chancellor establishing
conditions for Great Britain's neutral
ity. From the British standpoint such
transaction impressed him as i'm
proper, and he could not enter into
such negotiations. AS In former inter-
views ne laid chief stress upon the
Belgian question.
"The confidential communication was
to the effect that should events not
take the turn anticipated by The Ger
man military party or should Great
Britain wish for other reasons to bring
the war to a speedy end, he always
would be prepared, II he remained in
Office, to undertake the task Of media
ton, and be Of assistance TO Germany.
He had not the slightest intention to
crush Germany, and wished only to re-
store peace upon acceptable conditions
and put an end to unspeakable misery.
prince Lichnowsky remarked that
the role OF arbitrator would be easier
for Sir Edward Grey had Great Britain
maintained neutrality. He answered
that the participation Of England would
IL