New Britain herald., 1915-08-31

the Belgian colleague that Great Brit ain would land troops in Belgium without Belgium's consent, and that Belgium never had protested against this, having decided not to resist British violation of Belgian neutrality; put that upon the mere supposition that German invasion was possible the Belgian government prepared complete plans for cooperation with British forces. Such a country it is declared, is not a neutral country.
 "Other documents found, the reply continues, show that the British gen. eral staff received, reviewed and dis cussed important reports of attaches stationed at Brussels.
 Broke Own Neutrality.
 '"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 the reason in his Reichstag speech, declaring that German troops invaded Belgium after the latter had already broken her own neutrality"
 Besides, 1t is added, the excitement over the morals of a violation of a 75-years- -old treaty made for entirely
  a country which unconcernedly dis regarded a promise solemnly given twenty-five years ago to all Europe, and which continuously supported French violations of the obligations accepted in 1911 regarding Morocco"
 Takes Shot At England.
 The Overseas News Agency here takes up the assertion by Dr. von Bethmann-Hollweg in his recent Reichstag speech that Sir Edward Grey had said to the German am. bassador, as he was taking leave of him after the outbreak of the war, that it might be possible that Eng land could be of more assistance to Germany at the wars close by enter ing the conflict that if she had re- amined neutral. It notes the "Ga- zette's' assertion that Sir Edward Grey had denied having made such remarks as the German chancellor in his Reichstag address had interpreted as meaning that Sir Edward would be able to aid Germany against Rus sia. The text Of the memorandum in which Prince Lichnowsky, the Ger man ambassador at London, recorded the part in question of his invention
  eign affairs, is reproduced from the newspaper by the Overseas News Agency as follows:
 "Sir Edward Grey sent word that he would like to speak to me at his home before my departure and bid mo farewell; also that he had a con- fidential communication to make that possibly would be valuable in the future. I answered that in view of the turn affairs had taken it would be painful for me to meet him again, but would yield to his request, as did not wish to miss an opportunity that might possibly be important to the future of both nations.
 Gravest of His Life.
 "Sir Edward Grey was visiblv moved as he greeted me. He said the decision he had been obliged to take was the gravest of his ntire life, and that the deciding consideration was that participation in the war would injure England little more her influ- ence into the balance than by re- naining neutral, because she would be able at any time to threaten to withdraw from the conflict.
 "The violation of recognized inter national treaties guaranteed by Eng land he said, made 1t impossible for her to stand aside. Also he regarded 1t as inexpedient to consider the sug- gestion of the imperial chancellor es- tablish1ng conditions for Great Brit aims neutrality. From the British standpoint, such a transaction im- could not enter into negotiations with
 @1o 11x4 !, sitions. As in former interviews he laid chief stress upon the Belgian question without adding, as he did in that England could not look on while only France, but also Belgium and Holland, to state of dependency.'
 Foreign Secretary's Note.
 The foreign secretary's confidential communication to Prince Lichnowsky is thus summarized:
 "The confidential communication was to the effect that should events not take the turn anticipated by the German military party or should Great Britain wish for other reasons to bring the war to a speedy end, he always would be prepared, if he re- mained in office, to undertake the task of mediation and be of assistance to Germany. He had not the slight est intention to crush Germasy, and wished only to restore peace upon ac- ceptable conditions and put an end to l unspeakable misery for the civilized world.
 "Prince Lichnowsky remarked that the role of arbiter would, be easier for 1 Sir Edward Grey had Great Britain maintained neutrality. He answered that the participation of England | would shorten the duration of the l war"