The Washington times., 1917-09-17

not uOLlLL Us OF LnA8 LuODAAlkAkAOn anu
| gave US absolutely no explanation.
Not until the afternoon of July 81 did
| the Kaiser receive a message from
the Gar in which he assured him
that the attitude Of his army was not
hostile toward US.
However, the mobilization against
US on the Russian border was on the
night OF July 81 already in full prog
| ress. while we, at the request Of
Russia, were mediating in Vienna, the
Russian army appeared on our long,
almost entirely open border. France,
although not yet mobilizing, was
making preparations for war. And
we, up to this point, had Intentionally
not then called a single soldier OF the
reserve for the sake OF European
peace.
Russia's Answer Delayed.
SHOULD we continue to wait with
patienee until the powers by which
we are surrounded chose the moment
for attack? To expose Germany to
this danger would have been criminal!
Therefore, on July 81, we demanded
that Russia demobiliEe, this being the
only measure which could save the
peace Of Europe. The imperial am
bassador received, Furthermore, the
order to declare to the Russian gov
ernment that in case they did not
comply with our demandf they should
consider that q state Of war exists.
"Ths imperial ambassador per-
formed this mission Up till the pres
ent we have not learned Russia's an
swer to this demand Telegraphic
reports concerning II have not yet
reached US. although the wirs stfIl
transmits less important messages.
, Therefore, on August l., at 8 o'clock,
when the appointed period of grace
was long past, the Kaiser considered
II necessary to mobilize.
AT the same time we had to make
sure OF the position France would
take. To our direct question whether
In case OF q German-Rlissian war she
would remain neutral. France an
swered that she would do what she
had to do in her own interests. That
was an evasiVe, II not q negative an
swer. to our question.
'Tn spite of this the Kaiser gave
the order that the French border
should be respected. The command
was strictly enforced. with q single
exception. France, which mobilizsd
simultaneously with US, declared that
she would respect a zone often kilo-
meters from the border. And what
happened in reality? There were
bomb-throwing hiers, cavalry patrols,
invading companies in the Reichsland
(Alsace-Lorriane). Thereby France,
although the condition of war had not
yet been declared, had attacked our
territory.
Only one Offensive.
Concerning the French complaints
in regard to violations Of the border,
1 have received from the chief OF the
general stan the following report:
Only one offense has been committed.
Contrary to an emphatic order, .
patrol OF the Fourteenth Army Corps,
led by an officer, crossed the border
on August 2. They apparently were
killed. Only one man returned How
ever. long before the crossing Of the
border French. hiers were dropping
bombs In southern Germany, and at
-Schluchtpass the French troops had
attacked our border troops.
Until the present our troops have
confined their activity to the proteo-
tion OF our borders. They are now
on the defense, and necessity recogN
nizes no law.
"Our troops have occupied Luxsm-
burg. and perhaps have also found II
necessary TO enter Belgian territory.
This Is contrary to international law.
The French government has declared
in Brussels they will respect the neu-
trality OF Belgium as long a. she
respects the opponent We knew,
however, that France was ready to In
wade Belgium. France could wait;
we, however. could not, because
French invasion In our lower Rhine
flank would have proved fatal
$50 we were forced to disregard the
protests OF the Luxembourg and Bel
gian governments. We shall try TO
make good the injustice VIC have com
mltted as soon as our military goal
has been reached. Who like we are
lighting for the highest must only
consider how victory can be gained"
(Contlnued tOmOFrow.)