diff options
Diffstat (limited to '36100.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 36100.txt | 3614 |
1 files changed, 3614 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/36100.txt b/36100.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..322f5b1 --- /dev/null +++ b/36100.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3614 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Great War and How It Arose, by Anonymous + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Great War and How It Arose + + +Author: Anonymous + + + +Release Date: May 14, 2011 [eBook #36100] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREAT WAR AND HOW IT AROSE*** + + +E-text prepared by Produced by Steven Gibbs, Richard J. Shiffer, and +Distributed Proofreading volunteers (http://www.pgdp.net) for Project +Gutenberg + + + +Transcriber's note: + + Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully + as possible, including obsolete and variant spellings and other + inconsistencies. Text that has been changed to correct an + obvious error is noted at the end of this ebook. + + Many occurrences of mismatched single and double quotation marks + remain as they were in the original. + + Text enclosed by equal signs was in bold face in the original + (=bold=). + + + + + +THE GREAT WAR AND HOW IT AROSE + + + + + + + +1915 + +Parliamentary Recruiting Committee +12, Downing Street, London, S.W. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + PAGE. + + Serbia's Position 3 + + Russia's Position 6 + + Germany's Position 6 + + Italy's Position 8 + + Germany's Selected Moment 8 + + Peace Thwarted by Germany 10 + + I. Attempt to Extend Time-Limit of Austro-Hungarian + Ultimatum 11 + II. Question of Delay of Hostilities between Austria-Hungary + and Serbia 11 + III. Suggested Mediation by the Four Powers 12 + IV. Germany Asked to State Form of Mediation between + Russia and Austria-Hungary 13 + V. Russia Suggests Direct Negotiations with Austria-Hungary 14 + VI. Russia's Final Attempt at Peace 15 + + German Militarism Wins 17 + + How France Came In 19 + + How Great Britain Came In 19 + + War with Austria 22 + + Japan's Ultimatum to Germany 22 + + Allies' Declaration of Common Policy 23 + + Turkey Joins Germany 24 + + More German Intrigues 26 + The Near East 26 + The Far East 27 + West Africa 28 + South Africa 28 + + How the Germans Make War 29 + + Germany's Attempted Bribery 36 + + + APPENDIXES. + + A. Germany's Knowledge of Contents of Austro-Hungarian + Ultimatum 40 + + B. How Germany Misled Austria-Hungary 46 + + C. Some German Atrocities in Belgium 48 + + D. Germany's Employment of Poisonous Gas 52 + + E. Efforts of German Ministers of State to lay Blame on + England 52 + + F. List of Parliamentary Publications respecting the War 55 + + + + +THE GREAT WAR. + + + + +SERBIA'S POSITION. + + +On June 28, 1914, the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand and the Archduchess +were assassinated on Austrian territory at Serajevo by two Austrian +subjects, both Bosniaks. On a former occasion one of these assassins had +been in Serbia and the "Serbian authorities, considering him suspect and +dangerous, had desired to expel him, but on applying to the Austrian +authorities, found that the latter protected him, and said that he was +an innocent and harmless individual."[1] After a "magisterial" +investigation, the Austro-Hungarian Government formally fixed upon the +Serbians the guilt both of assisting the assassins and of continually +conspiring against the integrity of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and on +July 23, 1914, sent an ultimatum to Serbia of which the following were +the chief terms[2]:-- + + "The Royal Serbian Government shall publish on the front page of + their 'Official Journal' of the 13-26 July the following + declaration:-- + + "'The Royal Government of Serbia condemn the propaganda directed + against Austria-Hungary--_i.e._, the general tendency of which the + final aim is to detach from the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy + territories belonging to it, and they sincerely deplore the fatal + consequences of these criminal proceedings. + + "'The Royal Government regret that Serbian officers and + functionaries participated in the above-mentioned propaganda...." + + "The Royal Serbian Government further undertake: + + "To suppress any publication which incites to hatred and contempt + of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and the general tendency of which + is directed against its territorial integrity; ... + + "To eliminate without delay from public instruction in Serbia, both + as regards the teaching body and also as regards the methods of + instruction, everything that serves, or might serve, to foment the + propaganda against Austria-Hungary; + + "To remove from the military service, and from the administration + in general, all officers and functionaries guilty of propaganda + against the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy whose names and deeds the + Austro-Hungarian Government reserve to themselves the right of + communicating to the Royal Government; + + "To accept the collaboration in Serbia of representatives of the + Austro-Hungarian Government for the suppression of the subversive + movement directed against the territorial integrity of the + Monarchy; + + "To take judicial proceedings against accessories to the plot of + the 28th June who are on Serbian territory; delegates of the + Austro-Hungarian Government will take part in the investigation + relating thereto." + +In effect Austria wished to force Serbia (_a_) to admit a guilt which +was not hers; (_b_) to condemn officers in her army without trial at +Austria's direction[3]; (_c_) to allow Austrian delegates to dispense +such justice in Serbian Courts as they might think fit. In other words, +Serbia was to lose her independence as a Sovereign State. And to all +these claims Austria demanded an acceptance within 48 hours--until 6 +p.m. on July 25, 1914. Yet, in spite of this, Serbia, within the +specified time, sent her reply[4], which amounted to an acceptance of +Austria's demands, subject, on certain points, to the delays necessary +for passing new laws and amending her Constitution, and subject to an +explanation by Austria-Hungary of her precise wishes with regard to the +participation of Austro-Hungarian officials in Serbian judicial +proceedings. The reply went far beyond anything which any Power--Germany +not excepted--had ever thought probable. But the same day the British +Ambassador at Vienna reported that the tone of the Austrian press left +the impression that a settlement was not desired, and he later reported +that the impression left on his mind was that the Austrian note was so +drawn up as to make war inevitable. In spite of the conciliatory nature +of Serbia's reply, the Austrian Minister withdrew from Belgrade the same +evening, and Serbia was left with no option but to order a general +mobilisation. + +An outline of the Serbian reply had been communicated to Sir E. Grey an +hour or two before it was delivered. He immediately expressed to Germany +the hope that she would urge Austria to accept it. Berlin contented +itself with "passing on" the expression of Sir E. Grey's hope to Vienna +through the German Ambassador there. The fate of the message so passed +on may be guessed from the fact that the German Ambassador told the +British Ambassador directly afterwards that Serbia had only made a +pretence of giving way, and that her concessions were all a sham. + +As Sir Edward Grey told the German Ambassador on one occasion "the +Serbian reply went farther than could have been expected to meet the +Austrian demands. German Secretary of State has himself said that there +were some things in the Austrian Note that Serbia could hardly be +expected to accept."[5] + +During these forty-eight hours Great Britain made three attempts at +peace. Before all things, the time-limit of the ultimatum had to be +extended in order to give the requisite time to negotiate an amicable +settlement. Great Britain and Russia urged this at Vienna. Great Britain +asked Germany to join in pressing the Austrian Government. All that +Berlin consented to do was to "pass on" the message to Vienna. + +Secondly, Sir E. Grey urged that Great Britain, France, Germany, and +Italy should work together at Vienna and Petrograd in favour of +conciliation. Italy assented, France assented, Russia declared herself +ready, Germany said she had no objection, "if relations between Austria +and Russia became threatening." + +Thirdly, the Russian, French, and British representatives at Belgrade +were instructed to advise Serbia to go as far as possible to meet +Austria. + +But it was too late. The time-limit, which Austria would not extend, had +expired. + +The British Charge d'Affaires at Constantinople discovered the true +object in view when he telegraphed on July 29:-- + + "I understand that the designs of Austria may extend considerably + beyond the Sanjak and a punitive occupation of Serbian territory. I + gathered this from a remark let fall by the Austrian Ambassador + here who spoke of the deplorable economic situation of Salonica + under Greek administration and of the assistance on which the + Austrian Army could count from Mussulman population discontented + with Serbian rule."[6] + +So Austria contemplated no less than the break-up of the whole Balkan +settlement to which she and Germany had been parties so recently as +1913. She was to take advantage of the weakened condition of the Balkan +peoples (as a result of the Wars of 1912-13) to wage a war of conquest +right down to the Aegean Sea. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 30. + +[2] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 4. + +[3] This demand was pointedly summed up by Mr. Lloyd George at the +Queen's Hall, London, September 19, 1914, when he said:-- + + "Serbia ... must dismiss from her army the officers whom Austria + should subsequently name. Those officers had just emerged from a war + where they had added lustre to the Serbian arms; they were gallant, + brave and efficient. I wonder whether it was their guilt or their + efficiency that prompted Austria's action! But, mark you, the + officers were not named; Serbia was to undertake in advance to + dismiss them from the army, the names to be sent in subsequently. + Can you name a country in the world that would have stood that? + Supposing Austria or Germany had issued an ultimatum of that kind to + this country, saying 'You must dismiss from your Army--and from your + Navy--all those officers whom we shall subsequently name.' Well, I + think I could name them now. Lord Kitchener would go; Sir John + French would be sent away; General Smith-Dorrien would go, and I am + sure that Sir John Jellicoe would have to go. And there is another + gallant old warrior who would go--Lord Roberts. It was a difficult + situation for a small country. Here was a demand made upon her by a + great military power that could have put half-a-dozen men in the + field for every one of Serbia's men, and that Power was supported by + the greatest military Power (Germany) in the world." + +[4] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 39. + +[5] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 46. + +[6] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 82. + + + + +RUSSIA'S POSITION. + + +Russia's interest in the Balkans was well-known. As late as May 23, +1914, the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs had reaffirmed in the +Duma the policy of the "Balkans for the Balkans" and it was known that +any attack on a Balkan State by any great European power would be +regarded as a menace to that policy. The Russians are a Slav people like +the Serbians. Serbian independence was one of the results of the Great +War which Russia waged against Turkey in 1877. If Serbia was, as the +Austrian Ambassador said to Sir E. Grey on July 29, "regarded as being +in the Austrian sphere of influence"; if Serbia was to be humiliated, +then assuredly Russia could not remain indifferent. It was not a +question of the policy of Russian statesmen at Petrograd, but of the +deep hereditary feeling for the Balkan populations bred in the Russian +people by more than two centuries of development. It was known to the +Austrians and to every foreign secretary in Europe, that if the Tsar's +Government allowed Serbia to be crushed by Austria, they would be in +danger of a revolution in Russia. These things had been, as Sir E. Grey +said to Parliament in March, 1913, in discussing the Balkan War, "a +commonplace in European diplomacy in the past." They were the facts of +the European situation, the products of years of development, tested and +retested during the last decade. + + + + +GERMANY'S POSITION. + + +Since the outbreak of war Germany has issued an Official White Book +which states concisely and with almost brutal frankness the German case +prior to the outbreak of hostilities,[7] in the following terms:-- + + "=The Imperial and Royal Government (Austria-Hungary) ... asked for + our opinion. With all our heart we were able to ... assure him + (Austria) that any action considered necessary ... would meet with + our approval. We were perfectly aware that a possible warlike + attitude of Austria-Hungary against Serbia might bring Russia upon + the field, and that it might therefore involve us in a war, in + accordance with our duties as allies. We could not ... advise our + ally to take a yielding attitude not compatible with his dignity, + nor deny him our assistance in these trying days. We could do this + all the less as our own interests were menaced through the + continued Serb agitation. If the Serbs continued with the aid of + Russia and France to menace the existence of Austria-Hungary, the + gradual collapse of Austria and the subjection of all the Slavs + under one Russian sceptre would be the consequence, thus making + untenable the position of the Teutonic Race in Central Europe.= + + "=A morally weakened Austria ... would be no longer an ally on whom + we could count and in whom we could have confidence, as we must be + able to have, in view of the ever more menacing attitude of our + Easterly and Westerly neighbours.= + + "_=We, therefore, permitted Austria a completely free hand in her + action towards Serbia.=_" + +Farther on in the German Official White Book (page 7) it is stated that +the German Government instructed its Ambassador at Petrograd to make the +following declaration to the Russian Government, with reference to +Russian military measures which concerned Austria alone[8]:-- + + "=Preparatory military measures by Russia will force us to + counter-measures which must consist in mobilising the army.= + + "=But mobilisation means war.= + + "=As we know the obligations of France towards Russia, this + mobilisation would be directed against both Russia and France....=" + +Here, then, we have the plain admission:-- + + That the steps subsequently taken were directed against Russia and + France. + + That from the first Austria was given a free hand even to the + calculated extent of starting a great European war. + + That a morally weakened Austria was not an ally on whom Germany + "could count" or "have confidence" though no reference is made to + Italy in this Official document. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[7] The German White Book (only authorised translation). Druck und +Verlag: Liebheit & Thiesen, Berlin, pages 4 and 5. (Price, 40 pf.) + +[8] Cd. 7717, No. 109. In a despatch from Berlin, July 30, 1914, Mons. +Jules Cambon (French Ambassador) says:-- + + "Herr von Jagow then spoke to me of the Russian mobilisation on the + Austrian frontier; he told me that this mobilisation compromised the + success of all intervention with Austria, and that everything + depended on it. He added that he feared that Austria would mobilise + completely as a result of a partial Russian mobilisation, and this + might cause as a counter-measure complete Russian mobilisation and + consequently that of Germany. + + "I pointed out to the Secretary of State that he had himself told me + that Germany would only consider herself obliged to mobilise if + Russia mobilised on her German frontiers, and that this was not + being done. He replied that this was true, but that the heads of the + army were insisting on it, for every delay is a loss of strength for + the German army, and 'that the words of which I reminded him did not + constitute a firm engagement on his part.'" + + + + +ITALY'S POSITION. + + +Italy's position on the eve of the Great War, and while the above +machinations were in progress, is quite clear for the reason that she +had been approached twelve months before to take part in a similar +enterprise and had peremptorily refused. On August 9, 1913, the Italian +Premier, Signor Giolitti, received a telegram from the Marquis di San +Guiliano (Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs), acquainting him with +the fact that Austria had just confided to Italy that, with the approval +of Germany, she was about to deliver an ultimatum to Serbia, in essence +identical with that actually sent on July 23, 1914, whereby the present +Great War was kindled. Austria then asked Italy to consider this move to +be a _casus foederis_ under the Triple Alliance--which is purely a +treaty of defence--involving Italy's military assistance on the side of +Austria and Germany.[9] To this the Italian Premier (Signor Giolitti) +replied[10]:-- + + "If Austria intervenes against Serbia it is clear that a _casus + foederis_ cannot be established. It is a step which she is taking + on her own account, since there is no question of defence, inasmuch + as no one is thinking of attacking her. It is necessary that a + declaration to this effect should be hope for action on the part of + Germany to dissuade Austria from this most perilous adventure." + +Italy, having on this occasion made her position clear, maintained her +neutrality last July (1914) when Germany and Austria decided to proceed +with the plans arranged over twelve months before. Italy remained +neutral because she held that Germany and Austria were the +aggressors--not Russia and France.[11] By not consulting Italy on the +subject of action against Serbia, Austria-Hungary violated one of the +fundamental clauses of the Triple Alliance, and eventually this led +Italy to denounce the Treaty on May 4th, 1915, and finally, on May 24th, +1915, to declare war on Austria-Hungary. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[9] See Appendix "A." Italy denounced this treaty May 4th, 1915. + +[10] Cd. 7860. + +[11] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 152. + + + + +GERMANY'S SELECTED MOMENT. + + +The past history of Germany shows that she has always made her wars at +her own "selected moment," when she thought her victim was isolated or +unprepared. As General von Bernhardi says in his book, _Germany and the +Next Great War_: "English attempts at a rapprochement must not blind us +as to the real situation. We may at most use them to delay the necessary +and inevitable war until we may fairly imagine we have some prospect of +success." On July 23, 1914, when Austria launched her ultimatum to +Serbia, the Chancelleries of Europe were taken by surprise. Germany and +Austria chose their moment well. + + (1) The British representatives were away from both Berlin and + Belgrade. + + (2) M. Pashitch, the Serbian Prime Minister, and the other + Ministers were away electioneering. + + (3) The Russian Ambassadors were absent from Vienna, Berlin and + Paris, and the Russian Minister was absent from Belgrade. Indeed + the Russian Ambassador at Vienna had left "for the country in + consequence of reassuring explanations made to him at the + (Austro-Hungarian) Ministry for Foreign Affairs."[12] + + (4) The President of the French Republic and the Prime Minister + were out of France at Reval, on board the French Battleship "La + France." + + (5) The Austro-Hungarian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs had + left the Capital and his presence at Ischl was constantly used by + the Germans and Austrians as an excuse for not being able to get + things done in time. + +The known facts of the crisis out of which the Great War arose and the +messages of our Ambassadors suggest that Germany chose this particular +time:-- + + (1) Calculating that Russia, if she did not fight, would be + humiliated, whilst Austria--Germany's ally--would be strengthened + by the conquest of Serbia; and + + (2) Believing that if Russia chose to fight, even if she fought + with France as her ally, still it was a favourable moment. + +The deepening of the Kiel Canal to permit German battleships to pass +from the Baltic to the North Sea was just completed. Germany had at her +disposal the larger part of a huge war tax of L50,000,000, and had added +enormously to her land forces. The murder of the Archduke created a +pretext which roused enthusiasm for war in Austria, and there can be +little doubt that Germany was ready to use this wave of popular feeling +for her own ends. Germany appears to have instilled into Austria-Hungary +the belief that there was small danger in coercing Serbia.[13] + +On the other hand, Germany aimed at thoroughly humiliating Russia and +France, and appears to have calculated that if the worst came to the +worst, she and Austria-Hungary would be in a position to beat them +both. The German view of the European situation may be briefly set forth +as follows:-- + + =Russia.=--Russia was passing through serious industrial troubles, + which it was thought might end in revolution. + + =France.=--France was passing through a period of political chaos, + no Government being able to hold together for more than a few + weeks. And on July 13 the French had appointed a Committee to + inquire and report immediately on alleged deficiencies in various + defensive preparations. + + =Belgium.=--Belgium was beginning a re-organisation of her Army + which would have gradually increased it to almost double its + present strength. + + =Britain.=--Germany thought the Irish and general political + position in Britain made it impossible for her to show a united + front in foreign affairs, and that therefore she would be unable to + fight. The Germans seem to have assumed that Britain would be glad + incidentally to seize the chance of making money through neutrality + and would repudiate her treaty obligations to Belgium and her + friendship for France, and be content to see Germany ruthlessly + crushing the smaller Powers of Europe. Sir Edward Grey, on July 27, + 1914, telegraphed to the British Ambassador at Petrograd:--"I have + been told by the Russian Ambassador that in German and Austrian + circles impression prevails that in any event we would stand + aside."[14] + +Our Ambassadors at Petrograd, (July 24, 1914), Rome, (July 29, 1914) and +Paris (July 30, 1914), each stated that the Foreign Offices of Russia, +Italy and France respectively thought that Germany was counting on our +neutrality, while the German Foreign Minister, after war was actually +declared, seemed totally unable to understand how we could go to war for +what he called "a Scrap of Paper." The "Scrap of Paper" happened to be a +treaty guaranteeing the neutrality of Belgium and signed by both Great +Britain _and_ Germany![15] The whole case is put in a nutshell in the +despatch from the British Ambassador at Vienna, dated August 1, 1914, in +which he says:-- + + "=I agree ... that the German Ambassador at Vienna desired war from + the first, and that his strong personal bias probably coloured his + action here. The Russian Ambassador is convinced that the German + Government also desired war from the first.... Nothing can alter + the determination of Austro-Hungarian Government to proceed on + their present course, if they have made up their mind with the + approval of Germany.="[16] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[12] Cd. 7717, No. 18. + +[13] See Appendix "B." + +[14] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 47. + +[15] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, Nos. 80, 99 and 160. + +[16] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 141. + + + + +PEACE THWARTED BY GERMANY. + + +The attitude taken up by Germany and Austria-Hungary throughout the +whole crisis can only lead to one conclusion--that both countries were +determined to force their point, even at the risk of a European war. As +showing the endeavours to devise means of averting a general conflict, +they should be considered seriatim, together with the persistency with +which they were blocked in Berlin:-- + + +_(I.)--Attempt to Extend Time-Limit of Austro-Hungarian Ultimatum to +Serbia._ + +On July 25, in reply to the Anglo-Russian efforts, to extend the +forty-eight hour "time-limit" of the Austro-Hungarian ultimatum to +Serbia, the Russian Charge d'Affaires at Vienna telegraphed that he had +been officially informed that "the Austro-Hungarian Government refuse +our proposal to extend the time-limit of the Note."[17] How +Austria-Hungary was aided and abetted by Germany in this refusal is made +plain in the despatch from the Russian Charge d'Affaires at Berlin on +the same day:-- + + "The (German) Minister for Foreign Affairs ... tells me that the + British Government have likewise urged him to advise Vienna to + extend the time limit of the ultimatum, ... but he fears that in + the absence of Berchtold" (Austro-Hungarian Minister for Foreign + Affairs) "who has left for Ischl, and in view of the lack of time, + his telegrams may have no result. Moreover, he has doubts as to the + wisdom of Austria yielding at the last moment, and he is inclined + to think that such a step on her part might increase the assurance + of Serbia."[18] + + +_(II.)--The Question of Delay of Hostilities between Austria-Hungary and +Serbia._ + +When the extension of the time-limit of the Ultimatum to Serbia was +refused by Austria, Sir Edward Grey thought the question of preventing +or delaying hostilities might serve as a basis for discussion. The +Austrian Ambassador explained that:-- + + "the Austrian Note should not be regarded as an Ultimatum; it + should be regarded as a step which, in the event of no reply, or in + the event of an unsatisfactory reply within the time fixed, would + be followed by a rupture of diplomatic relations, and the immediate + departure of the Austro-Hungarian Minister from Belgrade, without, + however, entailing the immediate opening of hostilities."[19] + +As Sir Edward Grey said in his Despatch to the British Charge d'Affaires +at Berlin, July 24, 1914:-- + + "The immediate danger was that in a few hours Austria might march + into Serbia and Russian Slav opinion demand that Russia should + march to help Serbia; it would be very desirable to get Austria + not to precipitate military action and so to gain more time. But + none of us could influence Austria in this direction unless Germany + would propose and participate in such action at Vienna. You should + inform Secretary of State."[20] + +The following day (July 25, 1914), Sir Edward Grey wrote to the British +Charge d'Affaires in Berlin:-- + + "The Austrian Ambassador has been authorised to inform me that the + Austrian method of procedure on expiry of the time limit would be + to break off diplomatic relations and commence military + preparations, but not military operations. In informing the German + Ambassador of this, I said that it interposed a stage of + mobilisation before the frontier was actually crossed, which I had + urged yesterday should be delayed."[21] + +But here again Germany was lukewarm, to say the least of it, as will be +seen in the Despatch from the British Charge d'Affaires at Berlin to Sir +Edward Grey, dated July 26, 1914:-- + + "Under-Secretary of State has just telephoned to me to say that + German Ambassador at Vienna has been instructed to pass on to + Austro-Hungarian Government your hopes that they may take a + favourable view of Serbian reply if it corresponds to the forecast + contained in Belgrade telegram of 25th July. + + "Under-Secretary of State considers very fact of their making this + communication to Austro-Hungarian Government implies that they + associate themselves to a certain extent with your hope. German + Government do not see their way to going beyond this."[22] + + +_(III.)--Suggested Mediation by the Four Powers._ + +On July 24, 1914, Sir Edward Grey suggested to the German Ambassador +that the only chance he could see of a mediating or moderating influence +being effective was:-- + + "that the four Powers, Germany, Italy, France and ourselves should + work together simultaneously at Vienna and St. Petersburg in favour + of moderation in the event of the relations between Austria and + Russia becoming threatening."[23] + +Finding that Russia consented to this idea, Sir Edward telegraphed to +our representatives at Paris, Berlin and Rome on July 26, 1914, to the +following effect:-- + + "Would Minister for Foreign Affairs be disposed to instruct + Ambassador here to join with representatives of France, Italy, and + Germany, and myself, to meet here in conference immediately for the + purpose of discovering an issue which would prevent complications? + You should ask Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he would do + this. If so, when bringing the above suggestion to the notice of + the Governments to which they are accredited, representatives at + Belgrade, Vienna and St. Petersburg should be authorised to request + that all active military operations should be suspended pending + results of conference."[24] + +The Powers, _with the exception of Germany_, consented. Germany again +proclaimed herself the disturbing element, as is shown in the following +Despatch from the British Ambassador at Berlin to Sir Edward Grey, dated +July 27, 1914:-- + + "(German) Secretary of State says that conference you suggest would + practically amount to a court of arbitration, and could not, in his + opinion, be called together except at the request of Austria and + Russia. He could not therefore fall in with your suggestion, + desirous though he was to co-operate for the maintenance of peace. + I said I was sure that your idea had nothing to do with + arbitration, but meant that representatives of the four nations not + directly interested should discuss and suggest means for avoiding a + dangerous situation. He maintained, however, that such a conference + as you proposed was not practicable."[25] + +Again, on July 29, 1914, the British Ambassador at Berlin reported:-- + + "I was sent for again to-day by the Imperial Chancellor, who told + me that he regretted to state that the Austro-Hungarian Government, + to whom he had at once communicated your opinion, had answered that + events had marched too rapidly and that it was therefore too late + to act upon your suggestion that the Serbian reply might form the + basis of discussion."[26] + + +_(IV.)--Germany asked to State any Form which Mediation between Russia +and Austria-Hungary might take._ + +How Germany endeavoured to shuffle out of the suggested mediation by the +four Powers on the plea that the "form" was not one which +Austria-Hungary could accept, is set forth in a Telegram from Sir Edward +Grey to the British Ambassador in Berlin, dated July 29, 1914:-- + + "The German Government ... seemed to think the particular method of + conference, consultation or discussion, or even conversations a + quatre in London too formal a method. I urged that the German + Government should suggest _any method_ by which the influence of + the four Powers could be used together to prevent war between + Austria and Russia. France agreed, Italy agreed. The whole idea of + mediation or mediating influence was ready to be put into operation + by _any method that Germany could suggest_ if mine was not + acceptable. _In fact, mediation was ready to come into operation by + any method that Germany thought possible if only Germany would + 'press the button' in the interests of peace._"[27] + +Here again Germany evaded the point, as is shown in the Telegram from +the British Ambassador in Berlin to Sir Edward Grey, dated July 30, +1914:-- + + "The Chancellor told me last night that he was 'pressing the + button' as hard as he could, and that he was not sure whether he + had not gone so far in urging moderation at Vienna that matters had + been precipitated rather than otherwise."[28] + +Sir Edward Grey's telegram was sent off about 4 p.m. on July 29. His +appeal was followed almost immediately by a strange response. About +midnight a telegram arrived at the Foreign Office from His Majesty's +Ambassador at Berlin.[29] The German Chancellor had sent for him late at +night. He had asked if Great Britain would promise to remain neutral in +a war, provided Germany did not touch Holland and took nothing from +France but her colonies. He refused to give any undertaking that Germany +would not invade Belgium, but he promised that, if Belgium remained +passive, no territory would be taken from her. + +Sir E. Grey's answer was a peremptory refusal, but he added an +exhortation and an offer. The business of Europe was to work for peace. +That was the only question with which Great Britain was concerned. If +Germany would prove by her actions now that she desired peace, Great +Britain would warmly welcome a future agreement with her whereby the +whole weight of the two nations would be thrown permanently into the +scale of peace in years to come. + + +_(V.)--Russia Suggests Direct Negotiations with Austria-Hungary._ + +Another excuse given by Germany for refusing mediation by the four +Powers was the possibility of direct negotiations between Russia and +Austria-Hungary. The British Ambassador in Berlin on July 27, in +recording Germany's excuses, said that the German Secretary of State-- + + "added that news he had just received from St. Petersburg showed + that there was an intention on the part of M. de Sazonof" (Russian + Minister for Foreign Affairs) "to exchange views with Count + Berchtold" (Austrian Minister for Foreign Affairs). "He thought + that this method of procedure might lead to a satisfactory result, + and that it would be best before doing anything else to await + outcome of the exchange of views between the Austrian and Russian + Governments."[30] + +It is worth noting that, in reply to this Despatch from the British +Ambassador in Berlin, Sir Edward Grey wrote on July 29:-- + + "I told the German Ambassador that an agreement arrived at direct + between Austria and Russia would be the best possible solution. I + would press no proposal as long as there was a prospect of that, + but my information this morning was that the Austrian Government + have declined the suggestion of the Russian Government that the + Austrian Ambassador at St. Petersburg should be authorised to + discuss directly with the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs the + means of settling the Austro-Serbian conflict."[31] + +Russia had done her best to open these negotiations, and endeavoured to +get the German Government to advise Austria to continue negotiations +thus opened. How the proposal was received by Germany is found in the +following Despatch from the Russian Charge d'Affaires in Berlin, dated +July 27, 1914:-- + + "I begged the Minister for Foreign Affairs to support your proposal + in Vienna that Szapary" (Austro-Hungarian Ambassador in Russia) + "should be authorised to draw up, by means of a private exchange of + views with you, a wording of the Austro-Hungarian demands which + would be acceptable to both parties. Jagow" (German Foreign + Secretary of State) "answered that he was aware of this proposal + and that he agreed with Pourtales" (German Ambassador in Russia) + "that as Szapary had begun this conversation, he might as well go + on with it. He will telegraph in this sense to the German + Ambassador at Vienna. I begged him to press Vienna with greater + insistence to adopt this conciliatory line; Jagow answered that _he + could not advise Austria to give way_."[32] + +The result of Germany's hostile attitude to the plan was at once made +apparent the next day in Vienna, where the Russian Ambassador reported +on July 28, 1914:-- + + "Count Berchtold" (Austro-Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs) + "replied that he was well aware of the gravity of the situation and + of the advantages of a frank explanation with the St. Petersburg + Cabinet. He told me that, on the other hand, the Austro-Hungarian + Government, who had only decided, much against their will, on the + energetic measures which they had taken against Serbia, could no + longer recede, nor enter into any discussion of the terms of the + Austro-Hungarian note."[33] + + +_(VI.)--Russia's Final Attempt at Peace._ + +Finally, on July 30, 1914, another attempt at peace by Russia is +indicated in the Despatch from the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs +to the Russian Ambassadors at Berlin, Vienna, Paris, London, and Rome, +in the following terms:-- + + "The German Ambassador, who has just left me, has asked whether + Russia would not be satisfied with the promise which Austria might + give--that she would not violate the integrity of the Kingdom of + Serbia--and whether we could not indicate upon what conditions we + would agree to suspend our military preparations. I dictated to him + the following declaration to be forwarded to Berlin for immediate + action: 'If Austria, recognising that the Austro-Serbian question + has become a question of European interest, declares herself ready + to eliminate from her ultimatum such points as violate the + sovereign rights of Serbia, Russia undertakes to stop her military + preparations.' + + "Please inform me at once by telegraph what attitude the German + Government will adopt in face of this fresh proof of our desire to + do the utmost possible for a peaceful settlement of the question, + for we cannot allow such discussions to continue solely in order + that Germany and Austria may gain time for their military + preparations."[34] + +And subsequently this was amended according to the following Despatch +from the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Russian Ambassadors +abroad, dated July 31, 1914, Petrograd:-- + + "Please refer to my telegram of 17 (30) July. The British + Ambassador, on the instructions of his Government, has informed me + of the wish of the London Cabinet to make certain modifications in + the formula which I suggested yesterday to the German Ambassador. I + replied that I accepted the British suggestion. I accordingly send + you the text of the modified formula, which is as follows:-- + + "'If Austria will agree to check the advance of her troops on + Serbian territory; if, recognising that the dispute between + Austria and Serbia has become a question of European interest, + she will allow the Great Powers to look into the matter and + decide what satisfaction Serbia could afford to the + Austro-Hungarian Government without impairing her rights as a + sovereign State or her independence, Russia will undertake to + maintain her waiting attitude."[35] + +The possibility of peace was not thought hopeless by Sir Edward Grey, +for, in a despatch to the British Ambassador at Berlin, dated August 1, +he says:-- + + "I still believe that it might be possible to secure peace if only + a little respite in time can be gained before any Great Power + begins war. + + "The Russian Government has communicated to me the readiness of + Austria to discuss with Russia and the readiness of Austria to + accept a basis of mediation which is not open to the objections + raised in regard to the formula which Russia originally suggested. + + "Things ought not to be hopeless so long as Austria and Russia are + ready to converse, and I hope that German Government may be able + to make use of the Russian communications referred to above, in + order to avoid tension. His Majesty's Government are carefully + abstaining from any act which may precipitate matters."[36] + +That Austria was at last taking a more reasonable attitude is shown by +the despatch from the Russian Ambassador in Paris, dated August 1, +1914:-- + + "The Austrian Ambassador yesterday visited Viviani" (French + Minister for Foreign Affairs), "and declared to him that Austria, + far from harbouring any designs against the integrity of Serbia, + was in fact ready to discuss the grounds of her grievances against + Servia with the other powers. The French Government are much + exercised at Germany's extraordinary military activity on the + French frontier for they are convinced that under the guise of + 'Kriegszustand,' mobilisation is, in reality, being carried + out."[37] + +Unfortunately at this point, when the Austro-Hungarian Government +appeared ready to debate amicably with Russia, Germany stopped all +efforts at peace by issuing an Ultimatum to Russia. News of this is +given in a telegram to the Russian representatives abroad on August 1, +in the following terms:-- + + "At midnight the German Ambassador announced to me, on the + instruction of his Government, that if within 12 hours, that is by + midnight on Saturday, we had not begun to demobilise, not only + against Germany, but also against Austria, the German Government + would be compelled to give the order for mobilisation. To my + enquiry whether this meant war, the Ambassador replied in the + negative, but added that we were very near it."[38] + +As Sir Maurice de Bunsen, the British Ambassador in Vienna, tersely put +it in his despatch, dated from London, September 1, 1914, to Sir Edward +Grey:-- + + "Unfortunately these conversations at St. Petersburg and Vienna + were cut short by the transfer of the dispute to the more dangerous + ground of a direct conflict between Germany and Russia. Germany + intervened on the 31st July by means of her double ultimatums to + St. Petersburg and Paris. The ultimatums were of a kind to which + only one answer is possible, and Germany declared war on Russia on + the 1st August, and on France on the 3rd August. _A few days' delay + might in all probability have saved Europe from one of the greatest + calamities in history._"[39] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[17] Cd. 7626, No. 12. + +[18] Cd. 7626, No. 14. + +[19] Cd. 7626, No. 16. + +[20] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 11. + +[21] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 25. + +[22] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 34. + +[23] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 11. + +[24] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 36. + +[25] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 43. + +[26] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 75. + +[27] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 84. + +[28] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 107. + +[29] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, Nos. 85 and 101. + +[30] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 43. + +[31] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 84. + +[32] Cd. 7626, No. 38. + +[33] Cd. 7626, No. 45. + +[34] Cd. 7626, No. 60. + +[35] Cd. 7626, No. 67. + +[36] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 131. + +[37] Cd. 7626, No. 73. + +[38] Cd. 7626, No. 70. + +[39] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 161. + + + + +GERMAN MILITARISM WINS. + + +Thus Germany rejected all suggestions, while Austria, supported by +Germany, was determined on war. The Serbian episode was clearly an +excuse. Germany's alliance with Austria was "defensive." She was bound +to join with Austria only in case of the latter being _attacked_ by +Russia. Austria claimed that because Russia would not stand idle while +Serbia was crushed, therefore Russia was the aggressor. Germany was a +party to the Austrian attack on Serbia. The British Ambassador at Vienna +on July 30 says: "I have private information that the German Ambassador +(at Vienna) knew the text of the Austrian ultimatum to Serbia _before it +was despatched and telegraphed it to the German Emperor_. I know from +the German Ambassador himself that he endorses every line of it."[40] + +Germany, therefore, chose this moment to send a challenge to Russia +knowing that Russia must fight unless she were willing to be humiliated +and disgraced in the eyes, not only of men of the Slav race in the +Balkans, but in the eyes of the whole world. + +The French Foreign Minister, telegraphing on July 31 to the French +Ambassador in London as to Germany's aggressive steps on the +Franco-German frontier, said: "All my information goes to show that the +German preparations began on Saturday (July 25)."[41] What has actually +happened in the war goes to show that this must have been the case. + +The precise situation at this point is well shown in the British Foreign +Office introduction to _Great Britain and the European Crisis_:-- + + "At this moment, on Friday, the 31st, Germany suddenly despatched + an ultimatum to Russia, demanding that she should countermand her + mobilisation within twelve hours. Every allowance must be made for + the natural nervousness which, as history has repeatedly shown, + overtakes nations when mobilisation is under way. All that can be + said is that, _according to the information in the possession of + His Majesty's Government, mobilisation had not at the time + proceeded as far in Russia as in Germany, although general + mobilisation was not publicly proclaimed in Germany till the next + day, the 1st August_. France also began to mobilise on that day. + The German Secretary of State refused to discuss a last proposal + from Sir E. Grey for joint action with Germany, France, and Italy + until Russia's reply should be received, and in the afternoon the + German Ambassador at St. Petersburg presented a declaration of war. + Yet on this same day, Saturday, the 1st, Russia assured Great + Britain that she would on no account commence hostilities if the + Germans did not cross the frontier, and France declared that her + troops would be kept 6 miles from her frontier so as to prevent a + collision. This was the situation when very early on Sunday + morning, the 2nd August, German troops invaded Luxemburg, a small + independent State whose neutrality had been guaranteed by all the + Powers with the same object as the similar guarantee of Belgium. + The die was cast. War between Germany, Russia, and France had + become inevitable." + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[40] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 95. + +[41] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 105--Enclosure 3. + + + + +HOW FRANCE CAME IN. + + +France, by her alliance with Russia, was bound to stand by Russia if she +was attacked by Germany and Austria. On July 31 the German Ambassador at +Paris informed the French Government that Russia had ordered a complete +mobilisation, and that Germany had given Russia twelve hours in which to +order demobilisation and asking France to define her attitude. France +was given no time, and war came, when German troops at once crossed the +French frontier. Germany, by her attitude towards France, plainly +admitted that she was the aggressor. She made no pretence of any cause +of quarrel with France, but attacked her because of France's defensive +alliance with Russia. + + + + +HOW GREAT BRITAIN CAME IN. + + +Great Britain was primarily drawn in to save Belgium. We were bound by a +Treaty (1839) to which Germany and France were also parties, +guaranteeing the neutrality of Belgium. When Germany attacked France in +1870, Prince Bismarck gave Belgium a written declaration--which he said +was superfluous in view of the Treaty in existence--that the German +Confederation and its allies would respect the neutrality of Belgium, +provided that neutrality were respected by the other belligerent Powers. + +France has been faithful to her Treaty. She even left her Belgian +frontier unfortified. On August 3, 1914, on the verge of war, our +position was made plain by Sir Edward Grey in the House of Commons, when +he said:-- + + "When mobilisation was beginning, I knew that this question must be + a most important element in our policy--a most important subject + for the House of Commons. I telegraphed at the same time in similar + terms to both Paris and Berlin to say that it was essential for us + to know whether the French and German Governments respectively were + prepared to undertake an engagement to respect the neutrality of + Belgium. These are the replies. I got from the French Government + this reply:-- + + "'The French Government are resolved to respect the neutrality + of Belgium, and it would only be in the event of some other + Power violating that neutrality that France might find herself + under the necessity, in order to assure the defence of her + security, to act otherwise. This assurance has been given + several times. The President of the Republic spoke of it to + the King of the Belgians, and the French Minister at Brussels + has spontaneously renewed the assurance to the Belgian + Minister of Foreign Affairs to-day.' + + "From the German Government the reply was:-- + + "'The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs could not + possibly give an answer before consulting the Emperor and the + Imperial Chancellor.' + + "Sir Edward Goschen, to whom I had said it was important to have an + answer soon, said he hoped the answer would not be too long + delayed. The German Minister for Foreign Affairs then gave Sir + Edward Goschen to understand that he rather doubted whether they + could answer at all, as any reply they might give could not fail, + in the event of war, to have the undesirable effect of disclosing, + to a certain extent, part of their plan of campaign."[42] + +This clearly indicated that Germany would not respect the neutrality of +Belgium, and the day after Sir Edward Grey's speech, on August 4, the +German Army had penetrated Belgium on its way to France after a +peremptory notice to the Belgian Government to the effect that the +Imperial Government "will, deeply to their regret, be compelled to carry +out, if necessary, by force of arms, the measures considered +indispensable." Thus began the nightmare of German "Kultur," to which +unoffending Belgium was subjected, and against which she appealed to the +British Government: "Belgium appeals to Great Britain and France and +Russia to co-operate, as guarantors, in defence of her territory."[43] +On August 4 Great Britain asked Germany for a definite assurance by +midnight that she would not violate Belgian neutrality. Germany's +attitude is unmistakable in the following report of an interview by our +Ambassador in Berlin with the German Secretary of State:-- + + "Herr von Jagow at once replied that he was sorry to say that his + answer must be 'No,' as, in consequence of the German troops having + crossed the frontier that morning, Belgian neutrality had been + already violated. Herr von Jagow again went into the reasons why + the Imperial Government had been obliged to take this step, namely, + that they had to advance into France by the quickest and easiest + way, so as to be able to get well ahead with their operations and + endeavour to strike some decisive blow as early as possible. + + "It was a matter of life and death for them, as if they had gone by + the more southern route they could not have hoped, in view of the + paucity of roads and the strength of the fortresses, to have got + through without formidable opposition entailing great loss of + time. + + "This loss of time would have meant time gained by the Russians for + bringing up their troops to the German frontier. Rapidity of action + was the great German asset, while that of Russia was an + inexhaustible supply of troops.... + + "I then said that I should like to go and see the Chancellor, as it + might be, perhaps, the last time I should have an opportunity of + seeing him.... I found the Chancellor very agitated. His Excellency + at once began a harangue, which lasted for about twenty minutes. He + said that the step taken by His Majesty's Government was terrible + to a degree; just for a word--'neutrality,' a word which in war + time had so often been disregarded--just for a scrap of paper Great + Britain was going to make war on a kindred nation.... He held Great + Britain responsible for all the terrible events that might happen. + I protested strongly against that statement, and said that, in the + same way as he and Herr von Jagow wished me to understand that for + strategical reasons it was a matter of life and death to Germany to + advance through Belgium and violate the latter's neutrality, so I + would wish him to understand that it was, so to speak, a matter of + 'life and death' for the honour of Great Britain that she should + keep her solemn engagement to do her utmost to defend Belgium's + neutrality if attacked. That solemn compact simply had to be kept, + or what confidence could anyone have in engagements given by Great + Britain in the future? The Chancellor said: 'But at what price will + that compact have been kept. Has the British Government thought of + that?' I hinted to His Excellency as plainly as I could that fear + of consequences could hardly be regarded as an excuse for breaking + solemn engagements, but His Excellency was so excited, so evidently + overcome by the news of our action, and so little disposed to hear + reason that I refrained from adding fuel to the flame by further + argument."[44] + +Thus, when midnight struck on Tuesday, August 4, 1914, it found us at +war with Germany for tearing up the "scrap of paper" which was Britain's +bond.[45] And earlier in the same day the German Chancellor, Dr. von +Bethmann Hollweg, in the course of a remarkable speech in the Reichstag, +admitted the naked doctrine, that German "necessity" overrides every +consideration of right and wrong, in the following words:-- + + "=Gentlemen, we are now in a state of necessity, and necessity + knows no law! Our troops have occupied Luxemburg and perhaps" (as a + matter of fact the speaker knew that Belgium had been invaded that + morning) "are already on Belgian soil. Gentlemen, that is contrary + to the dictates of international law.... The wrong--I speak + openly--that we are committing we will endeavour to make good as + soon as our military goal has been reached. Anybody who is + threatened, as we are threatened, and is fighting for his highest + possessions can have only one thought--how he is to hack his way + through (wie er sich durchhaut)!="[46] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[42] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, Part II. + +[43] Statements by Prime Minister, House of Commons, August 4 and 5, +1914. + +[44] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 160. + +[45] See Appendix E. + +[46] The _Times_, August 11, 1914. + + + + +WAR WITH AUSTRIA. + + +From now onwards we were definitely allied with France in defence of +Belgium's neutrality. + +At 6 p.m. on August 6, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Russia. + +On August 12 Sir Edward Grey was compelled to inform Count Mensdorff +(Austro-Hungarian Ambassador in London) at the request of the French +Government, that a complete rupture having occurred between France and +Austria, a state of war between Great Britain and Austria would be +declared from midnight of August 12. + + + + +JAPAN'S ULTIMATUM TO GERMANY. + + +On August 17 the text of an ultimatum by Japan to Germany was published +in the following terms:-- + + "We consider it highly important and necessary in the present + situation to take measures to remove the causes of all disturbance + of the peace in the Far East and to safeguard general interests as + contemplated in the agreement of alliance between Japan and Great + Britain. + + "In order to secure firm and enduring peace in Eastern Asia, the + establishment of which is the aim of the said agreement, the + Imperial Japanese Government sincerely believes it to be its duty + to give advice to the Imperial German Government, to carry out the + following two propositions:-- + + "(1) To withdraw immediately from Japanese and Chinese waters + the German men-of-war and armed vessels of all kinds, and to + disarm at once those which cannot be withdrawn. + + "(2) To deliver on a date not later than September 15 to the + Imperial Japanese authorities without condition or + compensation the entire leased territory of Kiao-chau with a + view to the eventual restoration of the same to China. + + "The Imperial Japanese Government announces at the same time that + in the event of its not receiving by noon of August 23 an answer + from the Imperial German Government signifying unconditional + acceptance of the above advice offered by the Imperial Japanese + Government, Japan will be compelled to take such action as it may + deem necessary to meet the situation."[47] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[47] Under Art. II of the Anglo-Japanese Agreement, signed on July 13, +1911, it was agreed that if the two contracting parties should conduct a +war in common, they should make peace in mutual agreement, etc. + + + + +BRITISH APPROVAL. + + +The Official Press Bureau issued the following on August 17:-- + + "The Governments of Great Britain and Japan, having been in + communication with each other, are of opinion that it is necessary + for each to take action to protect the general interest in the Far + East contemplated by the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, keeping specially + in view the independence and integrity of China, and provided for + in that Agreement. + + "It is understood that the action of Japan will not extend to the + Pacific Ocean beyond the China Seas, except in so far as it may be + necessary to protect Japanese shipping lines in the Pacific, nor + beyond Asiatic waters westward of the China Seas, nor to any + foreign territory except territory in German occupation on the + Continent of Eastern Asia." + + + + +_DECLARATION OF COMMON POLICY._ + + +On September 5, 1914, the British Official Press Bureau issued the +following statement from the Foreign Office:-- + + + DECLARATION. + + The undersigned duly authorised thereto by the respective + Governments hereby declare as follows:-- + + The British, French, and Russian Governments mutually engage not to + conclude peace separately during the present war. The three + Governments agree that when terms of peace come to be discussed no + one of the Allies will demand terms of peace without the previous + agreement of each of the other Allies. In faith whereof the + undersigned have signed this Declaration and have affixed thereto + their seals. + + Done at London in triplicate, the 5th day of September, 1914. + + E. Grey, His Britannic Majesty's Secretary of + State for Foreign Affairs. + + Paul Cambon, Ambassador Extraordinary and + Plenipotentiary of the French Republic. + + Benckendorff, Ambassador Extraordinary and + Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of + Russia. + + + + +TURKEY JOINS GERMANY. + + +Directly war broke out the Turkish Army was mobilised, under the supreme +command of Enver Pasha, who was entirely in German hands.[48] Although +the Turkish Government had declared their intention of preserving their +neutrality, they took no steps to ensure its maintenance. They forfeited +their ability to do so by the admission of the German warships, "Goeben" +and "Breslau," which, fleeing from the Allied Fleets, had entered the +Dardanelles on August 10. + +Instead of interning these war vessels with their crews, as they were +repeatedly asked to do by the Allied Governments, the Turkish Government +allowed the German Admiral and his men to remain on board, and while +this was the case the German Government were in a position to force the +hand of the Turkish Government whenever it suited them to do so. + +In pursuance of a long-prepared policy, the greatest pressure was +exercised by Germany to force Turkey into hostilities. German success in +the European War was said to be assured; the perpetual menace to Turkey +from Russia might, it was suggested, be averted by an alliance with +Germany and Austria; Egypt might be recovered for the Empire; India and +other Moslem countries would rise against Christian rule, to the great +advantage of the Caliphate of Constantinople; Turkey would emerge from +the War the one great power of the East, even as Germany would be the +one great power of the West. Such was the substance of German +misrepresentations. + +Enver Pasha, dominated by a quasi-Napoleonic ideal, and by the +conviction of the superiority of German arms, proved a most active agent +on behalf of Germany. + +A strong German element was imported into the remainder of the Turkish +Fleet, even before the British Naval Mission, which had been reduced to +impotence by order of the Minister of Marine, was recalled by His +Majesty's Government. Large numbers of Germans were imported from +Germany to be employed in the forts of the Dardanelles and Bosphorus, +and at other crucial points. + +Numerous German merchant vessels served as bases of communication, and +as auxiliaries to what had become in effect the German Black Sea Fleet. +Secret communications with the German General Staff were established by +means of the "Corcovado," which was anchored opposite the German Embassy +at Therapia. The German Military Mission in Turkey acted in closest +touch with the Turkish Militarist Party. They were the main organisers +of those military preparations in Syria which directly menaced Egypt. + +Emissaries of Enver Pasha bribed and organised the Bedouins on the +frontier; the Syrian towns were full of German officers, who provided +large sums of money for suborning the local chiefs. The Khedive of +Egypt, who was in Constantinople, was himself a party to the conspiracy, +and arrangements were actually made with the German Embassy for his +presence with a military expedition across the frontier. All the Turkish +newspapers in Constantinople and most of the provincial papers became +German organs; they glorified every real or imaginary success of Germany +or Austria, and minimised everything favourable to the Allies. + +Millions of money were consigned from Germany to the German Embassy in +Constantinople, and delivered under military guard at the Deutsche Bank. +At one time these sums amounted to L4,000,000. A definite arrangement +was arrived at between the Germans and a group of Turkish Ministers, +including Enver Pasha, Talaat Bey and Djemal Pasha, that Turkey should +declare war as soon as the financial provision should have attained a +stated figure. + +The final point was reached when Odessa and other Russian ports in the +Black Sea were attacked by the Turkish Fleet on October 29, 1914. It is +now certain that the actual orders for these attacks were given by the +German Admiral on the evening of October 27. + +On October 30 the Russian Ambassador asked for his passports and there +was nothing left but for the British and French Ambassadors to demand +theirs on the same day. The Russian Ambassador left Constantinople on +October 31, while the British and French Ambassadors left the following +evening.[49] + +Thenceforward the Turks, at the instigation of the Germans, +unsuccessfully endeavoured to raise Mahomedans in all countries against +Great Britain and her Allies. The Sultan of Turkey, misusing his +position as Padishah and Titular Head of the Moslems, gave a perverted +history of the events and proclaimed a Holy War. The Sultan, in his +speech from the Throne on December 14, 1914 (at which ceremony the +ex-Khedive of Egypt was present), said:-- + + "We were just in the best way to give reforms in the interior a + fresh impetus when suddenly the great crisis broke out. While our + Government was firmly resolved to observe the strictest neutrality, + our Fleet was attacked in the Black Sea by the Russian Fleet. + England and France then began actual hostilities by sending troops + to our frontiers. Therefore I declared a state of war. These + Powers, as a necessity, compelled us to resist by armed force the + policy of destruction which at all times was pursued against the + Islamic world by England, Russia, and France, and assumed the + character of a religious persecution. In conformity with the Fetwas + I called all Moslems to a Holy War against these Powers and those + who would help them."[50] + +What the Moslems of India thought of the situation is succinctly shown +by a speech delivered on October 1, 1914, by the Agha Khan, the +spiritual head of the Khoja community of Mahomedans and President of the +All-India Moslem League.[51] He said he had always been convinced that +Germany was the most dangerous enemy of Turkey and other Moslem +countries, for she was the Power most anxious to enter by "peaceful +penetration" Asia Minor and Southern Persia. But she had been posing for +years past as a sort of protector of Islam--_though Heaven forbid that +they should have such an immoral protector_. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[48] Cd. 7716. + +[49] Cd. 7628 and Cd. 7716. + +[50] A Reuter's Amsterdam telegram of December 15, 1914. + +[51] _Times_, October 2, 1914, + + + + +MORE GERMAN INTRIGUES. + + +The vastness of German intrigues throughout the world in preparation for +a great war have come out piece by piece. + +=The Near East.=--Taking the Near East first, we find that Germany, +having suborned the ex-Khedive of Egypt, Abbas Hilmi, proceeded weeks +before the rupture with Turkey to give orders, through the Ottoman +Empire, to Shukri, the acting Chief of the Turkish Special Mission, to +prepare public opinion in Egypt for Turkish invasion and to await the +coming of the German Mors, whose trial was attended by such startling +disclosures.[52] + +Mors had been introduced to Enver Pasha by Dr. Pruefer (Secretary to +Prince Hatzfeldt when he was German Agent in Egypt) and had held long +conferences with Omar Fauzi Bey, of the Turkish General Staff, who on +September 6, 1914, worked out a scheme for disturbances in Egypt by +bands of criminals led by Turkish officers and for an attack on the Suez +Canal. + +In 1908 Prince Hatzfeldt succeeded Count Bernstorff, as German Agent in +Egypt, and he at once established close relations with the Egyptian +disloyalists of the extreme faction. In this he appears to have been +aided by Baron von Oppenheim, and by Dr. Pruefer, the Oriental Secretary +of the Agency, who was a fine Arabic scholar, and who had travelled a +great deal in Syria and the Near East. The leaders of the disloyal +section in Egypt were kept in the closest touch, and visited Prince +Hatzfeldt at the German Agency, and were in constant communication with +Dr. Pruefer, who, in Oriental disguise, often visited them, and other +Panislamic Agents.[53] + +=The Far East.=--In India the German merchants joined our Chambers of +Commerce and were elected as representatives of commercial life, and as +trustees of port trusts, which gave them a knowledge of our local +defences. In some instances they appear to have become volunteers, and +so to have gained knowledge of our forts and armouries. Small German +merchants and traders in the Punjab and other districts constantly +endeavoured to undermine the British Raj, and preached sedition wherever +they went. Such were the agents and spies of the German Government. + +Since the Mutiny at Singapore it has been proved that the Germans were +calling home their reserves from Singapore and the East in May, 1914, +and even as early as April of last year.[54] The first thing the +mutineers did was to go to the German Encampment, open the doors, and +supply those inside with rifles. Sir Evelyn Ellis, member of the +Singapore Legislative Council, who was President of the Commission +appointed by the Governor to collect evidence with reference to the +Mutiny, which took place on February 15, 1915, stated that:-- + + "They were not to think that they had been engaged in suppressing a + small local disturbance. On the contrary, there was evidence to + show that they had assisted in defeating one of the aims of the + destroyer of Europe. They had been dealing with work that had been + engineered by the agents of our common foes, and they had + contributed to the suppression of a most diabolical plot. What had + taken place in Singapore was only part of a scheme for the murder + of women and children such as they had had instances of on the East + Coast of England."[55] + +The head of a big German firm in Singapore, after being released on +parole, was found with a wireless installation in his house, with which +he was stated to have kept the "Emden" supplied with news.[56] + +In Persia and Arabia there is abundant proof of German intrigues, while +in China few opportunities have been lost by German agents of impugning +British good faith, and German money appears to have been used for years +in keeping the Chinese press--in Peking more particularly--as +anti-British as possible. Since the declaration of war an attempt has +been made by Captain Pappenheim, Military Attache of the German Legation +in Peking, to organise an expedition into Russian Siberia to damage the +Trans-Siberian railway. His action was, of course, a gross abuse of his +diplomatic position, and has been disclaimed by the Chinese +Government.[57] + +=West Africa.=--In West Africa the report of Colonel F. C. Bryant on +operation in Togoland shows how well the Germans were prepared for war +in that region.[58] + +=South Africa.=--In South Africa[59] it has been proved that so far back +as 1912 the Germans were in communication with Lieut.-Colonel Maritz +with a view to a rebellion. The latter appears to have brooded over +schemes for the establishment of a Republic in South Africa. As the Blue +Book, published in Cape Town on April 28, 1915, states: "One witness, +Captain Leipold, of the Government Intelligence Department, who was sent +to find out how things stood with Maritz, describes how the rebel leader +dramatically threw his cards on the table in the shape of a bundle of +correspondence with the German Administration at Windhuk, dating as far +back as August, 1912."[60] + +In a speech to his troops on August 9, 1914, Maritz declared that he had +6,000 Germans ready to help him, and he further stated that Beyers and +De Wet had been fully informed of his plans long before the war.[61] + +Evidence was also given during the trial of De Wet that the rebellion in +South Africa "was planned a couple of years ago when General Hertzog +left the Ministry."[62] The Germans, either directly or indirectly, +suborned, amongst others, Maritz, De Wet, De La Rey, Beyers, Kemp, and +Kock. But the magnificent services of General Botha and the loyalists +of South Africa--both British and Dutch--rendered nugatory the +machinations of the German Government. + +The history of German intrigues, both before and since the war, in +British and French colonies, and in neutral countries throughout the +world, which are now known and proved to the hilt, may be gauged from +the examples given in the foregoing brief notes. The German newspaper +_Der Tag_, which, during the first month of the war, declared: "Herr +Gott, sind diese Tage schoen" (O Lord, how beautiful are these days), +subsequently summarised the German outlook when it naively +declared:--[63] + + "So many of our calculations have deceived us. We expected that + British India would rise when the first shot was fired in Europe, + but in reality thousands of Indians came to fight with the British + against us. We anticipated that the whole British Empire would be + torn to pieces, but the Colonies appear to be closer than ever + united with the Mother Country. We expected a triumphant rebellion + in South Africa, yet it turned out nothing but a failure. We + expected trouble in Ireland, but instead, she sent her best + soldiers against us. We anticipated that the party of 'peace at any + price' would be dominant in England, but it melted away in the + ardour to fight against Germany. We reckoned that England was + degenerate and incapable of placing any weight in the scale, yet + she seems to be our principal enemy. + + "The same has been the case with France and Russia. We thought that + France was depraved and divided and we find that they are + formidable opponents. We believed that the Russian people were far + too discontented to fight for their Government, and we made our + plans on the supposition of a rapid collapse of Russia, but, + instead, she mobilised her millions quickly and well, and her + people are full of enthusiasm and their power is crushing. Those + who led us into all those mistakes and miscalculations have laid + upon themselves a heavy responsibility." + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[52] _Times_, April 28, 1915. + +[53] _Times_, January 6, 1915. + +[54] _Times_, April 24, 1915. (Speech by the Bishop of Singapore.) + +[55] _Daily News and Leader_, April 27, 1915. + +[56] _Morning Post_, March 27, 1915. + +[57] Letter from the Chinese Legation to the _Times_, March 13 and 20, +1915. + +[58] _Daily News and Leader_, April 22, 1915. + +[59] Cd. 7874. + +[60] _Times_, April 30, 1915. + +[61] _Times_, March 17, 1915. + +[62] _Times_, February 19, 1915. + +[63] _Times_, April 26, 1915. + + + + +HOW THE GERMANS MAKE WAR. + + +It has often been asked what would happen if savages were armed with the +products of modern science and with the intelligence to use them. +Germany has answered the question. Every resource of science lies at the +German command; the chemist, the physicist, the metallurgist, have all +worked in this war to place the most effective tools of destruction in +the Germans' hands, and to satisfy their ambitions they have shut the +gates of mercy on mankind. The Official Handbook of Instructions issued +to Officers of the German Army by the German General Staff urges the +"exploitation of the crimes of third parties (assassination, +incendiarism, robbery and the like) to the prejudice of the enemy." +This Official Handbook says:-- + + "A war conducted with energy cannot be directed merely against the + combatants of the Enemy State and the positions they occupy, but it + will and must in like manner seek to destroy the total intellectual + and material resources of the latter."[64] + +The German Emperor, addressing the troops which he sent to take part in +the International Expedition in China in 1900, said:-- + + "When you come into contact with the enemy strike him down. + _Quarter is not to be given. Prisoners are not to be made._ Whoever + falls into your hands is into your hands delivered. Just as a + thousand years ago the Huns, under their King Attila, made for + themselves a name which still appears imposing in tradition, so may + the name of German become known in China in such a way that never + again will a Chinaman dare to look askance at a German. The + blessing of the Lord be with you. Give proof of your courage and + the Divine blessing will be attached to your colours." + +At midnight on August 4, Great Britain declared war on Germany for +violating the neutrality of Belgium, and it will be remembered that +earlier in the day the German Imperial Chancellor had stated that German +troops "perhaps are already on Belgian soil," and that Germany could +only have one thought--how she was to "hack her way through." +Simultaneously with the thought, came action. What was actually taking +place is described, by Lord Bryce's Committee of Inquiry, in the +following words[65]:-- + + "On August 4th the roads converging upon Liege from north-east, + east, and south were covered with German Death's Head Hussars and + Uhlans pressing forward to seize the passage over the Meuse. From + the very beginning of the operations the civilian population of the + villages lying upon the line of the German advance were made to + experience the extreme horrors of war. 'On the 4th of August,' says + one witness, 'at Herve' (a village not far from the frontier), 'I + saw at about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, near the station, five + Uhlans, these were the first German troops I had seen. They were + followed by a German officer and some soldiers in a motor car. The + men in the car called out to a couple of young fellows who were + standing about 30 yards away. The young men, being afraid, ran off, + and then the Germans fired and killed one of them named D----.' + + "The murder of this innocent fugitive civilian was a prelude to the + burning and pillage of Herve and of other villages in the + neighbourhood, to the indiscriminate shooting of civilians of both + sexes, and to the organised military execution of batches of + selected males. Thus at Herve some 50 men escaping from the burning + houses were seized, taken outside the town and shot. At Melen, a + hamlet west of Herve, 40 men were shot. In one household alone the + father and mother (names given) were shot, the daughter died after + being repeatedly outraged, and the son was wounded. Nor were + children exempt.... + + "The burning of the villages in this neighbourhood and the + wholesale slaughter of civilians, such as occurred at Herve, + Micheroux, and Soumagne, appear to be connected with the + exasperation caused by the resistance of Fort Fleron, whose guns + barred the main road from Aix la Chapelle to Liege. Enraged by the + losses which they had sustained, suspicious of the temper of the + civilian population, and probably thinking that by exceptional + severities at the outset they could cow the spirit of the Belgian + nation, the German officers and men speedily accustomed themselves + to the slaughter of civilians." + +As a German soldier's diary, examined by Lord Bryce's Committee, +says:--"The inhabitants without exception were brought out and shot. +This shooting was heart-breaking as they all knelt down and prayed, but +that was no ground for mercy. A few shots rang out and they fell back +into the green grass and slept for ever."[66] + +During the invasion of Belgium and France, German procedure was almost +the same in all cases. "They advance along a road, shooting inoffensive +passers-by--particularly bicyclists--as well as peasants working in the +fields. In the towns or villages where they stop, they begin by +requisitioning food and drink, which they consume till intoxicated. +Sometimes from the interior of deserted houses they let off their rifles +at random, and declare that it was the inhabitants who fired. Then the +scenes of fire, murder, and especially pillage, begin, accompanied by +acts of deliberate cruelty, without respect to sex or age. Even where +they pretend to know the actual person guilty of the acts they allege, +they do not content themselves with executing him summarily, but they +seize the opportunity to decimate the population, pillage the houses, +and then set them on fire. After a preliminary attack and massacre they +shut up the men in the church, and then order the women to return to +their houses and to leave their doors open all night."[67] + +Innumerable German atrocities are on record and well authenticated. For +example, Professor Jacobs, at a medical meeting in Edinburgh, stated +that, as head of the Belgian Red Cross, he "had visited a chateau but +found the Red Cross had not been respected. It had been completely +destroyed, and the bodies of six girls, aged from ten to seventeen, were +lying on the lawn. A convent containing sixty sisters had been entered +by the German soldiers and every one had been violated. On the evidence +of the doctor of the institution twenty-five were pregnant. Professor +Jacobs had operated on the wife of a doctor living near Namur. Three +weeks after the operation, when convalescing and still in bed, their +house was entered by German soldiers; she was raped by seven of them and +died two days after."[68] + +1. A few typical examples of the wholesale atrocities of German troops +are given in Appendix C, but to show that in many cases such atrocities +were not only countenanced, but ordered by officers in command, we quote +the following:-- + + August 22, 1914. + + The inhabitants of the town of Andenne, after having protested + their peaceful intentions, made a treacherous surprise attack on + our troops. + + It was with my consent that the General had the whole place burnt + down, and about 100 people shot. + + I bring this fact to the knowledge of the town of Liege, so that + its inhabitants may know the fate with which they are threatened if + they take up a similar attitude. + + The General Commanding-in-Chief, + VON BULOW.[69] + +2. Here is an order of the day given on August 26 by General Stenger +commanding the 58th German Brigade:-- + + After to-day no more prisoners will be taken. All prisoners are to + be killed. Wounded, with or without arms, are to be killed. Even + prisoners already grouped in convoys are to be killed. Let not a + single living enemy remain behind us. + + Oberlieutenant und Kompagnie-Chef STOY; + Oberst und Regiments Kommandeur NEUBAUER; + General-Major und Brigade-Kommandeur STENGER.[70] + +With reference to the above Order, Professor Joseph Bedier says: "Some +thirty soldiers of Stenger's Brigade (112th and 142nd Regt. of the Baden +Infantry), were examined in our prisoners' camps. I have read their +evidence, which they gave upon oath and signed. All confirm the +statement that this order of the day was given them on August 26, in one +unit by Major Mosebach, in another by Lieut. Curtius, &c.; the majority +did not know whether the order was carried out, but three of them say +they saw it done in the forest of Thiaville, where ten or twelve wounded +French soldiers who had already been spared by a battalion were +despatched. Two others saw the order carried out on the Thiaville road, +where some wounded found in a ditch by a company were finished off."[71] + +3. The following are extracts from a Proclamation posted by the Germans +at Namur on August 25, 1914:-- + + (3) Every street will be occupied by a German Guard, who will take + ten hostages from each street, whom they will keep under + surveillance. If there is any rising in the street the ten hostages + will be shot. + + (4) Doors may not be locked, and at night after eight o'clock there + must be lights in three windows in every house. + + (5) It is forbidden to be in the street after eight o'clock. The + inhabitants of Namur must understand that there is no greater and + more horrible crime than to compromise the existence of the town + and the life of its citizens by criminal acts against the German + Army. + + The Commander of the Town, + VON BULOW.[72] + +4. On October 5 the following Proclamation was posted in Brussels "and +probably in most of the Communes of the Kingdom." + + During the evening of September 25, the railway line and the + telegraph wires were destroyed on the line Lovenjoul-Vertryck. In + consequence of this, these two localities have had to render an + account of this, and had to give hostages in the morning of + September 30. + + In future, the localities nearest to the place where similar acts + take place will be punished without pity; _it matters little if + they are accomplices or not_. For this purpose _hostages have been + taken_ from all localities near the railway line thus menaced, and + at the first attempt to destroy the railway line, or the telephone + or telegraph wires, _they will be immediately shot_. + + Further, all the troops charged with the duty of guarding the + railway have been ordered to shoot any person who, in a suspicious + manner, approaches the line, or the telegraph or telephone wires. + + The Governor-General of Belgium, + (S.) BARON VON DER GOLTZ, Field-Marshal.[73] + +For purposes of record it should be noted that Lord Bryce's Committee +mention by name three German Generals whose armies have disgraced +civilisation; they are those of General Alexander von Kluck, General von +Buelow and General von Hausen.[74] + +Some of the main heads of the barbarities of Germany and of the way she +has violated the recognised rules of International Law, may be set out +as follows:--[75] + +(_a_) The treatment of civilian inhabitants in Belgium and the North of +France has been made public by the Belgian and French Governments, and +by those who have had experience of it at first hand. Modern history +affords no precedent for the sufferings that have been inflicted on the +defenceless and non-combatant population in the territory that has been +in German military occupation. Even the food of the population was +confiscated, until, in Belgium, an International Commission, largely +influenced by American generosity and conducted under American auspices, +came to the relief of the population, and secured from the German +Government a promise to spare what food was still left in the country, +though the Germans still continue to make levies in money upon the +defenceless population for the support of the German Army. + +(_b_) We have from time to time received most terrible accounts of the +barbarous treatment to which British officers and soldiers have been +exposed after they have been taken prisoner, while being conveyed to +German prison camps. Evidence has been received of the hardships to +which British prisoners of war are subjected in the prison camps, +contrasting most unfavourably with the treatment of German prisoners in +this country. The Germans make no attempt to save sailors from British +war vessels they sink, although we have saved a large number of German +sailors in spite of great danger to our men.[76]For example, on May 1, +1915, in the destroyer action in the North Sea, the Germans imprisoned +two British sailors below and when their vessel was sinking, saved +themselves, but left their prisoners to sink below because "time was +short." + +As Lord Kitchener said, Germany "has stooped to acts which will surely +stain indelibly her military history and which would vie with the +barbarous savagery of the Dervishes of the Sudan."[77] On the same day, +in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister declared: "When we come to +the end of this war, which, please God, we may, we shall not forget--and +ought not to forget--this horrible record of calculated cruelty and +crime, and we shall hold it to be our duty to exact such reparation +against those who are proved to have been guilty agents or actors in the +matter, as it may be possible for us to exact. I do not think we should +be doing our duty to these brave and unfortunate men or to the honour of +our own country and the plain dictates of humanity if we were content +with anything less than that."[78] + +(_c_) At the very outset of war a German mine-layer was discovered +laying a mine-field on the high seas. Further mine-fields have been laid +from time to time without warning, and are still being laid on the high +seas, and many neutral, as well as British vessels, have been sunk by +them. + +(_d_) At various times during the war German submarines have stopped and +sunk British merchant vessels, thus making the sinking of merchant +vessels a general practice, though it was admitted previously, if at +all, only as an exception; the general rule, to which the British +Government have adhered, being that merchant vessels, if captured, must +be taken before a Prize Court. The Germans have also sunk British +merchant vessels by torpedo without notice, and without any provision +for the safety of the crew. They have done this in the case of neutral +as well as of British vessels, and a number of non-combatant and +innocent lives, unarmed and defenceless, have been destroyed in this +way. The Germans have sunk without warning emigrant vessels, have tried +to sink an hospital ship, and have themselves used an hospital ship for +patrol work and wireless. The torpedoeing of the "Lusitania" on May 7, +1915, involving the murder of hundreds of innocent civilians--British +and neutral--was acclaimed with great relish in Berlin. + +(_e_) Unfortified, open, and defenceless towns, such as Scarborough, +Yarmouth and Whitby, have been deliberately and wantonly bombarded by +German ships of war, causing, in some cases, considerable loss of +civilian life, including women and children. + +(_f_) German aircraft have dropped bombs on the East Coast of England, +in places where there were no military or strategic points to be +attacked. + +(_g_) The Germans have used poisonous gases in killing Allied troops at +the Front, although Germany was a signatory to the following article in +the Hague Convention:-- + + "The Contracting Powers agree to abstain from the use of + projectiles, the object of which is the diffusion of asphyxiating + or deleterious gases."[79] + +And finally the German troops in South Africa have poisoned drinking +wells and infected them with disease.[80] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[64] _Kriegsbrauch im Landkriege._ Berlin, 1902, in the series +"Kriegsgeschichtliche Einzelschriften," published in 1905. A translation +of this monograph by Professor J. H. Morgan has recently been published. + +[65] Cd. 7894, page 7, 8. + +[66] Cd. 7894, page 9. + +[67] See Appendix C. Official Reports issued by the Belgian Legation +(1914). The Commission chiefly responsible for these official Belgian +reports was composed of M. Cooreman, Minister of State (President); +Count Goblet d'Alviella, Minister of State and Vice-President of the +Senate; M. Ryckmans, Senator; M. Strauss, Alderman of the City of +Antwerp; M. van Cutsem, Hon. President of the Law Court of Antwerp; and, +as Secretaries, Chevalier Ernst de Bunswyck, Chef du Cabinet of the +Minister of Justice, and M. Orts, Councillor of Legation. + +[68] Meeting of Edinburgh Obstetrical Society, December 9, 1914. +_Lancet_, December 19, 1914, page 1, 440. + +[69] Reports on the Violation of the Rights of Nations and of the Laws +and Customs of War in Belgium. + +[70] _German Atrocities from German Evidence._ One of the series of +"Studies and Documents on the War." Publishing Committee: Mm. Ernest +Lavisse, of the Academie francaise, President; Charles Andler, professor +of German literature and language in the University of Paris; Joseph +Bedier, professor at the College de France; Henri Bergson, of the +Academie francaise; Emile Boutroux, of the Academie francaise; Ernest +Denis, professor of history in the University of Paris; Emile Durkheim, +professor in the University of Paris; Jacques Hadamard, of the Academie +des Sciences; Gustave Lanson, professor of French literature in the +University of Paris; Charles Seignobos, professor of history in the +University of Paris; Andre Weiss, of the Academie des Sciences morales +et politiques. + +[71] _German Atrocities from German Evidence._ See footnote on page 32. + +[72] Reports on the Violation of the Rights of Nations and of the Laws +and Customs of War in Belgium. + +[73] Reports on the Violation of the Rights of Nations and of the Laws +and Customs of war in Belgium. + +[74] Cd. 7894, page 10. + +[75] Most of the points referred to in the following record are to be +found in Sir Edward Grey's reply to the U.S. Note--dated March 15. + +[76] Cd. 7921, issued May 19, 1915, shows that although 1,282 men had +been rescued by the British from German warships, not a single rescue +had been effected by German men-of-war. + +[77] House of Lords, April 27, 1915. + +[78] House of Commons, April 27, 1915. + +[79] See Appendix D. + +[80] Report _re_ Swakopmund, issued by Secretary of State for Colonies. +_Times_, May 6, 1915. + + + + +GERMANY'S ATTEMPTED BRIBERY. + +We thus see with what an easy conscience Germany tears up her treaties +and how she repudiates her most solemn pledges. In light of these facts +let us examine the rush of promises Germany was prepared to give in +order to ensure our neutrality in the War. + +On July 29, 1914, Germany, having decided on the War in conjunction with +Austria against Russia and France, made what our Ambassador at Berlin +called "a strong bid for British neutrality," to which reference has +been made, on page 14. Provided that Britain remained neutral Germany +stated that every assurance would be given to Great Britain that the +German Government aimed at no territorial acquisitions at the expense of +France in Europe, should they prove victorious. Germany categorically +stated that she was unable to give a similar undertaking with reference +to the French colonies. She made a statement with regard to the +integrity of Holland, and said that it depended upon the action of +France what operations Germany might be forced to enter upon in Belgium, +but that when the War was over Belgian integrity would be respected if +she had not sided against Germany. In other words, Great Britain was to +stand by and + + =See Belgium invaded and, if she resisted, annexed by Germany;= + + =See all the French Colonies taken by Germany;= + + =Acquiesce in France, our neighbour and friend, being crushed under + the iron heel of Germany, and, as Bismarck threatened, bled white + by a war indemnity when all was over.= + +As Sir Edward Grey replied on July 30: "From the material point of view +such a proposal is unacceptable, for France, without further territory +in Europe being taken from her, could be so crushed as to lose her +position as a Great Power, and become subordinate to German policy. +Altogether, apart from that it would be a disgrace for us to make this +bargain with Germany at the expense of France, a disgrace from which the +good name of this country would never recover."[81] + +That is the "infamous bargain" which Britain spurned and to which the +Prime Minister referred on August 6 in the House of Commons, in the +following words:-- + + ="What would have been the position of Great Britain to-day ... if + we had assented to this infamous proposal? Yes, and what are we to + get in return for the betrayal of our friends and the dishonour of + our obligations? What are we to get in return? A promise--nothing + more; a promise as to what Germany would do in certain + eventualities; a promise, be it observed--I am sorry to have to say + it, but it must be put upon record--given by a Power which was at + that very moment announcing its intention to violate its own treaty + and inviting us to do the same. I can only say, if we had dallied + or temporised, we, as a Government, should have covered ourselves + with dishonour, and we should have betrayed the interests of this + country, of which we are trustees."=[82] + +This suggestion of Germany is not the only infamous proposal she has +made to Great Britain. She has made them with a persistence worthy of a +better cause. In February, 1912, Lord Haldane went to Berlin on behalf +of the Cabinet in order to obtain the basis of a friendly understanding +between the two countries. What transpired is made clear in a speech +delivered by Mr. Asquith, at Cardiff, on October 2, 1914, when the Prime +Minister said:-- + + "We laid down in terms, carefully approved by the Cabinet, and + which I will textually quote, what our relations to Germany ought, + in our view, to be. We said, and we communicated this to the German + Government:-- + + 'Britain declares that she will neither make, nor join in, any + unprovoked attack upon Germany. Aggression upon Germany is not + the subject, and forms no part of any Treaty, understanding, + or combination to which Britain is now a party, nor will she + become a party to anything that has such an object.' + + "There is nothing ambiguous or equivocal about that. But that was + not enough for German statesmanship. They wanted us to go further. + They asked us to pledge ourselves absolutely to neutrality, in the + event of Germany being engaged in war, and this, mind you, at a + time when Germany was enormously increasing both her aggressive and + defensive forces, and especially upon the sea. They asked us--to + put it quite plainly--for a free hand, so far as we were concerned, + if and when they selected the opportunity to overpower and dominate + the European world. To such a demand one answer was possible, and + that was the answer we gave."[83] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[81] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 101. + +[82] House of Commons, August 6, 1914. + +[83] _South Wales Daily News_, October 3, 1914. + + + + +IF BRITAIN HAD REFUSED TO FIGHT. + +If, in view of all this evidence, Britain had refused to fight, what +would have been her position? The Prime Minister, speaking at the +Guildhall on September 4, 1914, said:-- + + "But let me ask you, and through you the world outside, what would + have been our condition as a nation to-day if, through timidity, or + through a perverted calculation of self-interest or through a + paralysis of the sense of honour and duty, we had been base enough + to be false to our word and faithless to our friends? + + "Our eyes would have been turned at this moment with those of the + whole civilised world to Belgium--a small State which has lived for + more than 70 years under a several and collective guarantee, to + which we, in common with Prussia and Austria, were parties--and we + should have seen, at the instance, and by the action of two of + these guaranteeing Powers, her neutrality violated, her + independence strangled, her territory made use of as affording the + easiest and most convenient road to a war of unprovoked aggression + against France. + + "We, the British people, should have at this moment been standing + by with folded arms and with such countenance as we could command, + while this small and unprotected State (Belgium), in defence of her + vital liberties, made a heroic stand against overweening and + overwhelming force. + + "We should have been watching as detached spectators the siege of + Liege, the steady and manful resistance of a small Army, the + occupation of Brussels with its splendid traditions and memories, + the gradual forcing back of the patriotic defenders of their native + land to the ramparts of Antwerp, countless outrages suffered by + them, and buccaneering levies exacted from the unoffending civil + population, and finally the greatest crime committed against + civilisation and culture since the Thirty Years' War--the sack of + Louvain, with its buildings, its pictures, its unique library, its + unrivalled associations, a shameless holocaust of irreparable + treasures lit up by blind barbarian vengeance.... + + "For my part I say that sooner than be a silent witness--which + means in effect a willing accomplice--of this tragic triumph of + force over law and of brutality over freedom, I would see this + country of ours blotted out of the pages of history." + +Further, we need not imagine that the peace we should have gained would +have been a lasting one. If we had dishonoured our name in the manner +Mr. Asquith has described, we should have been left without a friend in +the world. Who can doubt that we should have been Germany's next victim +if she had succeeded in crushing Belgium and France and warding off the +blows of Russia? As Mr. Bonar Law said, on the same occasion:-- + + "We are fighting for our national existence, for everything which + nations have always held most dear." + +The fate which has fallen upon Belgium would have been our fate in a few +years' time, but with this difference, that we should have had no +powerful friends to give back as far as humanly possible what we had +lost, as Russia, France and Britain are determined to do for Belgium. + + + + +APPENDIX A. + +GERMANY'S KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONTENTS OF THE ULTIMATUM DELIVERED BY +AUSTRIA-HUNGARY TO SERBIA ON JULY 23, 1914. + + +Germany did her utmost to make the Great Powers believe that she had no +knowledge of the contents of the Ultimatum delivered by Austria-Hungary +to Serbia at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 1914. + +Two days before the delivery of the Ultimatum, the Russian Charge +d'Affaires in Berlin, at the Diplomatic Audience, said to Herr von Jagow +(German Secretary of State), that he supposed the German Government then +had full knowledge of the Note prepared by Austria. Herr von Jagow +protested that he was in complete ignorance of the contents of that +Note, and expressed himself in the same way on that date (July 21) to +the French Ambassador also. The very next day (July 22), however, M. +Paul Cambon, the French Ambassador in London, in a despatch to the +Acting French Minister for Foreign Affairs in Paris, stated:-- + + "Sir Edward Grey told me that he had seen the German Ambassador, + who stated to him that at Berlin a _demarche_ of the + Austro-Hungarian Government to the Serbian Government was expected. + Prince Lichnowsky assured him that the German Government were + endeavouring to hold back and moderate the Cabinet of Vienna, but + that up to the present time they had not been successful in this, + and that he was not without anxiety as to the results of a + _demarche_ of this kind.... The communications of Prince Lichnowsky + had left Sir Edward Grey with an impression of anxiety which he did + not conceal from me. The same impression was given me by the + Italian Ambassador, who also fears the possibility of fresh tension + in Austro-Serbian relations."[84] + +Here it will be noticed that Prince Lichnowsky, the German Ambassador in +London, stated that the German Government were endeavouring to "hold +back and moderate the Cabinet of Vienna." How could they have done this +if they were not aware of the general terms of the Ultimatum which +Austria-Hungary proposed sending to Serbia. Moreover, the impression +given by the Italian Ambassador was probably derived from his knowledge +of what had happened over a year before, when Austria appears to have +been resolved on provoking war with Serbia on August 9, 1913. + +But unfortunately for Germany the statement was refuted by one of its +own States, Bavaria. The Ultimatum to Serbia was not delivered until 6 +p.m. on the evening of July 23; yet earlier on that day M. Allize, the +French Minister at Munich, in his Report to Paris, stated:-- + + =" ... Official circles have for some time been assuming with more + or less sincerity an air of real pessimism.= + + ="In particular, the President of the Council said to me to-day + that the Austrian Note, the contents of which were known to him + (dont il avait connaissance) was in his opinion drawn up in terms + which could be accepted by Serbia, but that none the less the + existing situation appeared to him to be very serious."=[85] + +It is difficult to think that the President of the Bavarian Council knew +the contents of the Austrian Note while the German Secretary of State at +Berlin was kept in ignorance of its terms. Yet, the next day, Herr von +Jagow again makes the denial which is forwarded to Paris in the French +Ambassador's despatch, dated Berlin, July 24:-- + + "I asked the Secretary of State to-day in the interview which I had + with him if it was correct, as announced in the newspapers, that + Austria had presented a Note to the Powers on her dispute with + Serbia; if he had received it; and what view he took of it. + + "Herr von Jagow answered me in the affirmative, adding that the + Note was forcible and that he approved it, the Serbian Government + having for a long time past wearied the patience of Austria.... + _Thereupon I asked him if the Berlin Cabinet had really been + entirely ignorant of Austria's requirements before they were + communicated to Belgrade, and as he told me that that was so, I + showed him my surprise at seeing him thus undertake to support + claims, of whose limit and scope he was ignorant.... It is not less + striking to notice the pains with which Herr von Jagow and all the + officials placed under his orders, pretend to everyone that they + were ignorant of the scope of the Note sent by Austria to + Serbia._"[86] + +Confirmation of Germany's complicity is received in a despatch to his +Government from the French Ambassador (M. Paul Cambon) in London, dated +July 24, 1914:-- + + "I mentioned the matter to my Russian colleague, who is afraid of a + surprise from Germany, and who imagines that Austria would not have + despatched her Ultimatum without previous agreement with Berlin. + + "Count Benckendorff told me that Prince Lichnowsky, when he + returned from leave about a month ago, had intimated that he held + pessimistic views regarding the relations between St. Petersburg + and Berlin. He had observed the uneasiness caused in this latter + Capital by the rumours of a naval _entente_ between Russia and + England, by the Tsar's visit to Bucharest, and by the strengthening + of the Russian Army. Count Benckendorff had concluded from this + that a war with Russia would be looked upon without disfavour in + Germany. + + "The Under-Secretary of State has been struck, as all of us have + been, by the anxious looks of Prince Lichnowsky since his return + from Berlin, and he considers that if Germany had wished to do so, + she could have stopped the despatch of the Ultimatum."[87] + +Again on the same day (July 24, 1914) we have an interesting despatch +from the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs in Paris to the French +Ambassadors abroad, detailing what transpired at a visit received from +Herr von Schoen (the German Ambassador in Paris), at which the latter +twice read (but refused to leave copy of) a note which said:-- + + "Under these circumstances the course of procedure and demands of + the Austro-Hungarian Government can only be regarded as justified. + In spite of that, the attitude which public opinion as well as the + Government in Serbia have recently adopted does not exclude the + apprehension that the Serbian Government might refuse to comply + with those demands, and might even allow themselves to be carried + away into a provocative attitude towards Austria-Hungary. The + Austro-Hungarian Government, if they do not wish definitely to + abandon Austria's position as a Great Power, would then have no + choice but to obtain the fulfilment of their demands from the + Serbian Government by strong pressure, and, if necessary, by using + military measures, the choice of the means having to be left to + them.... The German Government consider that in the present case + there is only question of a matter to be settled exclusively + between Austria-Hungary and Serbia, and that the Great Powers ought + seriously to endeavour to restrict it to those two immediately + concerned. + + "The German Government desire urgently the localisation of the + dispute, because every interference of another Power would, owing + to the natural play of alliances, be followed by incalculable + consequences...."[88] + +A note of similar effect was left with Sir Edward Grey by the German +Ambassador in London.[89] + +Now the details of the Ultimatum to Serbia were only communicated to the +French and Russian Governments on July 24, 1914, after 10 o'clock in the +morning (nearly 17 hours after they had been delivered to Serbia), and +presumably they were communicated to all the other Governments at about +the same time. Germany would have us believe that she received the +contents at the same time and on the same day as the other Governments. +Yet, a few hours later, the German Ambassador in Paris is able, on +instructions from his Government, to present a detailed note and to +argue the matter in all its bearings. That is to say, Germany would have +us believe that the Kaiser and his Ministers received the contents of +the Ultimatum in the morning, and, almost within a few minutes, gathered +together and discussed a question which they knew, if not carefully +handled, must mean a European war; pretend that it was a matter to be +settled exclusively between Austria-Hungary and Serbia; and promptly +instruct their Ambassador in Paris to the minutest details. + +As the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs remarked to the British +Ambassador in Petrograd on this fateful morning, "Austria's conduct was +both provocative and immoral; she would never have taken such action +unless Germany had first been consulted."[90] + +It has since been proved that Germany and Austria were parties not only +to this, but to an exactly similar conspiracy which took place twelve +months before. + +On December 5, 1914, in the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Signor Giolitti +(ex-Premier of Italy) made the following momentous statement:-- + + "During the Balkan War, on the 9th August, 1913, about a year + before the present war broke out, during my absence from Rome, I + received from my hon. colleague, Signor di San Giuliano (late + Foreign Minister), the following telegram:-- + + "'Austria has communicated to us and to Germany her intention + of taking action against Serbia, and defines such action as + defensive, hoping to bring into operation the _casus foederis_ + of the Triple Alliance, which, on the contrary, I believe to + be inapplicable. (_Sensation._) + + "'I am endeavouring to arrange for a combined effort with + Germany to prevent such action on the part of Austria, but it + may become necessary to state clearly that we do not consider + such action, if it should be taken, as defensive, and that, + therefore, we do not consider that the _casus foederis_ + arises. + + "'Please telegraph to me at Rome if you approve.' + + "I replied:-- + + "'If Austria intervenes against Serbia it is clear that a + _casus foederis_ cannot be established. It is a step which she + is taking on her own account, since there is no question of + defence, inasmuch as no one is thinking of attacking her. It + is necessary that a declaration to this effect should be made + to Austria in the most formal manner, and we must hope for + action on the part of Germany to dissuade Austria from this + most perilous adventure.' (_Hear, hear._) + + "This course was taken, and our interpretation was upheld and + recognised as proper, since our action in no way disturbed our + relations with the two Allied Powers. The declaration of neutrality + made by the present Government conforms therefore in all respects + to the precedents of Italian policy, and conforms also to an + interpretation of the Treaty of Alliance which has been already + accepted by the Allies. + + "I wish to recall this, because I think it right that in the eyes + of all Europe it should appear that Italy has remained completely + loyal to the observance of her pledges." (_Loud applause._)[91] + +As the _Times_ of December 11, 1914, said in a Leading Article:-- + + "In the face of these facts, what becomes of the pretence of the + German White Book that it was the murders which forced Austria to + take action; what of the contention that Russia, or that England, + is answerable for the war? Germany had known Austria's purpose for + a year when she granted that Power a free hand to deal with Serbia + at her discretion." ... These contemporary telegrams read by Signor + Giolitti "prove that the war is no result of Russian arrogance, of + French revenge, or of English envy, as the German Chancellor avers, + but that it is the consequence of schemes long harboured, carefully + thought out, and deliberately adopted by Austria and by Germany." + +On the occasion referred to above it was not the murder of the +heir-apparent at Serajevo which was the pretext for aggression; the +issue of the moment was the Treaty of Bucharest. + +Two days after the delivery of the Ultimatum to Serbia in July, 1914, +Herr von Jagow issued another denial. In his Report to the Acting +Minister for Foreign Affairs in Paris, the French Ambassador at Berlin +on July 25 wrote:-- + + "The English Charge d'Affaires also enquired of Herr von Jagow, as + I had done yesterday, if Germany had had no knowledge of the + Austrian Note before it was despatched, and he received so clear a + reply in the negative that he was not able to carry the matter + further; but he could not refrain from expressing his surprise at + the blank cheque given by Germany to Austria."[92] + +On the same day (July 25) the Russian representative in Paris reports to +his Government, that the German Ambassador (Herr von Schoen) said:-- + + "that Austria had presented her Note to Serbia without any definite + understanding with Berlin, but that Germany nevertheless approved + of the Austrian point of view, and that undoubtedly 'the bolt once + fired' (these were his own words), Germany could only be guided by + her duties as an ally."[93] + +The next day the Acting Director of the "Direction Politique" in Paris, +in a note on the visit to that Office paid by Herr von Schoen, the +German Ambassador, stated (Paris, Sunday, July 26):-- + + "Herr von Schoen, who listened smiling, once more affirmed that + Germany had been ignorant of the text of the Austrian Note, and had + only approved it after its delivery; she thought, however, that + Serbia had need of a lesson severe enough for her not to be able to + forget it, and that Austria owed it to herself to put an end to a + situation which was dangerous and intolerable for a great Power. He + declared besides that he did not know the text of the Serbian + reply, and showed his personal surprise that it had not satisfied + Austria, if indeed it was such as the papers, which are often + ill-informed, represented it to be."[94] + +A denial by the German Ambassador to England of his Government's +cognisance of the Note is referred to in a despatch from the Russian +Ambassador in London (Count Benckendorff) to M. Sazonof, dated July 25, +1914:-- + + "Grey has told me that the German Ambassador has declared to him + that the German Government were not informed of the text of the + Austrian Note, but that they entirely supported Austria's + action."[95] + +On July 25, 1914, a Note was handed by the German Ambassador at +Petrograd to the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs:-- + + "We learn from an authoritative source that the news spread by + certain newspapers, to the effect that the action of the + Austro-Hungarian Government at Belgrade was instigated by Germany + is absolutely false. The German Government had no knowledge of the + text of the Austrian Note before it was presented, and exercised no + influence upon its contents. A threatening attitude is wrongly + attributed to Germany. + + "Germany, as the ally of Austria, naturally supports the claims + made by the Vienna Cabinet against Serbia, which she considers + justified."[96] + +That this assumed ignorance was received with scepticism, and in some +cases frank disbelief in other quarters, is apparent. The French +Ambassador in Berlin reported on July 25:-- + + "The Belgian Minister appears very anxious about the course of + events.... He does not believe in the pretended ignorance of the + Government of Berlin on the subject of Austria's demarche. + + "He thinks that if the form of it has not been submitted to the + Cabinet at Berlin, the moment of its despatch has been cleverly + chosen in consultation with that Cabinet, in order to surprise the + Triple Entente at a moment of disorganisation."[97] + +From the French Ambassador in Vienna on July 28 came the following +statement to the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs in Paris:-- + + "Among the suspicions aroused by the sudden and violent resolution + of Austria, the most disquieting is that Germany should have pushed + her on to aggressive action against Serbia in order to be able + herself to enter into war with Russia and France, in circumstances + which she supposes ought to be most favourable to herself and under + conditions which have been thoroughly considered."[98] + +Up to this date, as the Russian Berlin representative reported to his +Government the Official German Wolff Bureau (News Agency) had not +published the text of the conciliatory Serbian reply, although it had +been communicated to them; nor had it appeared _in extenso_ in any of +the local papers--because of the _calming_ effect it would have had on +German readers![99] + +On the same day (July 28) the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs in +Paris sent the following message to the French Ambassadors abroad:-- + + "I have had another visit from the German Ambassador this morning; + he told me that he had no communication or official proposal to + make to me, but that he came, as on the evening before, to talk + over the situation and the methods to be employed to avoid action + which would be irreparable. When I asked him about Austria's + intentions, he declared that he did not know them and was ignorant + of the nature of the means of coercion which she was + preparing."[100] + +But how does this compare with the following extract from a telegram +sent the next day (July 29) by the Kaiser to the Tsar:-- + + "I cannot ... consider the action of Austria-Hungary as an + 'ignominious war.' Austria-Hungary knows from experience that the + promises of Serbia as long as they are merely on paper are entirely + unreliable."[101] + +On July 29 the French Minister at Brussels reported:-- + + "I report the following impressions of my interview with M. + Davignon and with several persons in a position to have exact + information. The attitude of Germany is enigmatical and justifies + every apprehension; it seems improbable that the Austro-Hungarian + Government would have taken an initiative which would lead, + according to a preconceived plan, to a declaration of war, without + previous arrangement with the Emperor William. + + "The German Government stand 'with grounded arms' ready to take + peaceful or warlike action as circumstances may require, but there + is so much anxiety everywhere that a sudden intervention against us + would not surprise anybody here. My Russian and English colleagues + share this feeling."[102] + +Finally, on July 30, Sir Maurice de Bunsen, the British Ambassador in +Vienna, stated to Sir Edward Grey:-- + + ="I have private information that the German Ambassador knew the + text of the Austrian Ultimatum to Serbia before it was despatched, + and telegraphed it to the German Emperor. I know from the German + Ambassador himself that he endorses every line of it."=[103] + +Confirmation of the whole evidence is found in the commercial world, for +as Sir E. H. Holden, Chairman of the London City and Midland Bank, +stated on January 29, 1915:-- + + "On the 18th of July last (1914) the Dresdner Bank caused a great + commotion by selling its securities and by advising its clients to + sell their securities. This was recognised as the first + semi-official intimation of a probable European conflagration...." + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[84] Cd. 7717, No. 19. + +[85] Cd. 7717, No. 21. + +[86] Cd. 7717, No. 30. + +[87] Cd. 7717, No. 32. + +[88] Cd. 7717, No. 28. + +[89] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 9. + +[90] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 6. + +[91] Cd. 7860, page 401. + +[92] Cd. 7717, No. 41. + +[93] Cd. 7626, No. 19. + +[94] Cd. 7717, No. 57. + +[95] Cd. 7626, No. 20. + +[96] Cd. 7626, No. 18. + +[97] Cd. 7717, No. 35. + +[98] Cd. 7717, No. 83. + +[99] Cd. 7626, No. 46. + +[100] Cd. 7717, No. 78. + +[101] Cd. 7717, Appendix 5, No. 3. + +[102] Cd. 7717, No. 87. + +[103] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 95. + + + + +APPENDIX B. + +HOW GERMANY MISLED AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. + + +Germany's view is very clearly indicated in a despatch from the British +Ambassador at Vienna, dated July 26, 1914:-- + + "According to confident belief of German Ambassador, Russia will + keep quiet during chastisement of Serbia, which Austria-Hungary is + resolved to inflict, having received assurances that no Serbian + territory will be annexed by Austria-Hungary. In reply to my + question whether Russian Government might not be compelled by + public opinion to intervene on behalf of kindred nationality, he + said that everything depended on the personality of the Russian + Minister for Foreign Affairs, who could resist easily, if he chose, + the pressure of a few newspapers. He pointed out that the days of + Pan-Slav agitation in Russia were over, and that Moscow was + perfectly quiet. The Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs would + not, his Excellency thought, be so imprudent as to take a step + which would probably result in many frontier questions in which + Russia is interested, such as Swedish, Polish, Ruthene, Roumanian + and Persian questions, being brought into the melting-pot. France, + too, was not at all in a condition for facing a war.... He doubted + Russia, who had no right to assume a protectorate over Serbia, + acting as if she made any such claim. _As for Germany, she knew + very well what she was about in backing up Austria-Hungary in this + matter._"[104] + +Germany's view is further explained by the British representative at +Berlin, on July 26, 1914:-- + + "Under-Secretary of State likewise told me that German Ambassador + at St. Petersburg had reported that, in conversation with Russian + Minister for Foreign Affairs, latter had said that if Austria + annexed bits of Serbian territory Russia would not remain + indifferent. Under-Secretary of State drew conclusion that Russia + would not act if Austria did _not_ annex territory."[105] + +The result of this German influence is shown on the Austrian Ambassador +in Berlin by the following despatch from Sir Edward Goschen, the British +Ambassador at Berlin, dated July 28, 1914:-- + + "Austrian colleague said to me to-day that a general war was most + unlikely, as Russia neither wanted nor was in a position to make + war. I think that that opinion is shared by many people here."[106] + +So successful were the Germans in impressing this false view upon the +Austrians that the position is best described by the British Ambassador +in Vienna in his despatch to Sir Edward Grey, dated July 27, 1914:-- + + "I have had conversations with all my colleagues representing the + Great Powers. The impression left on my mind is that the + Austro-Hungarian note was so drawn up as to make war (with Serbia) + inevitable; that the Austro-Hungarian Government are fully resolved + to have war with Serbia; that they consider their position as a + Great Power to be at stake; and that until punishment has been + administered to Serbia it is unlikely that they will listen to + proposals of mediation. This country has gone wild with joy at the + prospect of war with Serbia, and its postponement or prevention + would undoubtedly be a great disappointment."[107] + +Added to which we have further proof in a despatch from the British +Ambassador at Rome, dated July 23, 1914:-- + + "Secretary-General, whom I saw this morning at the Italian Foreign + Office, took the view that the gravity of the situation lay in the + conviction of the Austro-Hungarian Government that it was + absolutely necessary for their prestige, after the many + disillusions which the turn of events in the Balkans has + occasioned, to score a definite success."[108] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[104] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 32. + +[105] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 33. + +[106] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 71. + +[107] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 41. + +[108] _Great Britain and the European Crisis_, No. 38. + + + + +APPENDIX C. + +SOME GERMAN ATROCITIES IN BELGIUM. + + +In December, 1914, a Committee was appointed by the British Government +to inquire into the German outrages in Belgium and France. Under the +Chairmanship of Lord Bryce, this Committee was composed of:-- + + THE RT. HON. VISCOUNT BRYCE, O.M. (Regius Professor of Civil Law at + Oxford, 1870; Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1886; + Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster (with seat in Cabinet), 1892; + President of Board of Trade, 1894; one of the British Members of + the International Tribunal at The Hague; Chief Secretary for + Ireland, 1905-6; His Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and + Plenipotentiary at Washington, 1907-12). + + THE RT. HON. SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bt., K.C., LL.D., D.C.L. (Judge + of Admiralty Court of Cinque Ports since 1914; Editor of Law + Reports since 1895; Chairman, Royal Commission on Public Records, + 1910; Corpus Professor of Jurisprudence, Oxford, 1883-1903; Author + of The Law of Torts, 1887; History of English Law, 1895.) + + THE RT. HON. SIR EDWARD CLARKE, K.C. (Solicitor-General, 1886-92). + + SIR ALFRED HOPKINSON, K.C. (Professor of Law, Owen's College, + Manchester (Principal, 1898-1904); Adviser to the Bombay + University, 1913-14). + + MR. H. A. L. FISHER (Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield University; + Chichele Lecturer in Foreign History, 1911-12). + + MR. HAROLD COX, M.A. (Editor, _Edinburgh Review_). + + SIR KENELM E. DIGBY, K.C., G.C.B. (Permanent Under-Secretary of + State at Home Office, 1895-1903). + +This eminent and impartial Tribunal, after carefully weighing the +evidence (Cd. 7894 and Cd. 7895) came to the following grave +conclusions:-- + + "(i) That there were in many parts of Belgium deliberate and + systematically organised massacres of the civil population, + accompanied by many isolated murders and other outrages. + + "(ii) That in the conduct of the war generally innocent civilians, + both men and women, were murdered in large numbers, women violated, + and children murdered. + + "(iii) That looting, house burning, and the wanton destruction of + property were ordered and countenanced by the officers of the + German Army, that elaborate provision had been made for systematic + incendiarism at the very outbreak of the war, and that the burnings + and destruction were frequent where no military necessity could be + alleged, being indeed part of a system of general terrorisation. + + "(iv) That the rules and usages of war were frequently broken, + particularly by the using of civilians, including women and + children, as a shield for advancing forces exposed to fire, to a + less degree by killing the wounded and prisoners, and in the + frequent abuse of the Red Cross and the White Flag. + + "Sensible as they are of the gravity of these conclusions, the + Committee conceive that they would be doing less than their duty + if they failed to record them as fully established by the evidence. + Murder, lust, and pillage prevailed over many parts of Belgium on a + scale unparalleled in any war between civilised nations during the + last three centuries." + +The Report makes it plain that apart from the first outbreak of outrages +intended to cow the Belgians into submission, fresh bursts of plunder +and rapine took place on specific occasions when the Germans suffered +defeat. Cowardly vengeance was thus wreaked on the innocent Belgian +civilians for the defeat of German arms. For example, on August 25, +1914, the Belgian Army, sallying out from Antwerp, drove the enemy from +Malines. The Germans promptly massacred and burnt at Louvain, "the +signal for which was provided by shots exchanged between the German Army +retreating after its repulse at Malines and some members of the German +garrison of Louvain, who mistook their fellow-countrymen for +Belgians."[109] Similarly when a successful sortie from Antwerp drove +the Germans from Aerschot, they retaliated by a blood-vendetta upon the +civil population. + +The Germans have endeavoured to justify their brutal excesses by +bringing counter-charges against Belgian civilians. For instance, the +Chancellor of the German Empire, in a communication made to the press on +September 2, 1914, and printed in the _Nord Deutsche Allgemeine +Zeitung_, of September 21, said: "Belgian girls gouged out the eyes of +the German wounded. Officials of Belgian cities have invited our +officers to dinner, and shot and killed them across the table. Contrary +to all international law, the whole civilian population of Belgium was +called out, and after having at first shown friendliness carried on in +the rear of our troops terrible warfare with concealed weapons. Belgian +women cut the throats of soldiers whom they had quartered in their homes +while they were sleeping." + +Upon this Lord Bryce's Committee make the comment: "No evidence whatever +seems to have been adduced to prove these tales."[110] + +Of both individual and concerted acts of barbarity, the report +teems--for example:--[111] + + "It is clearly shown that many offences were committed against + infants and quite young children. On one occasion children were + even roped together and used as a military screen against the + enemy, on another three soldiers went into action carrying small + children to protect themselves from flank fire. A shocking case of + the murder of a baby by a drunken soldier at Malines is thus + recorded by one eye-witness and confirmed by another:-- + + "'One day when the Germans were not actually bombarding the town I + left my house to go to my mother's house in High Street. My husband + was with me. I saw eight German soldiers, and they were drunk. They + were singing and making a lot of noise and dancing about. As the + German soldiers came along the street I saw a small child, whether + boy or girl I could not see, come out of a house. The child was + about two years of age. The child came into the middle of the + street so as to be in the way of the soldiers. The soldiers were + walking in twos. The first line of two passed the child; one of the + second line, the man on the left, stepped aside and drove his + bayonet with both hands into the child's stomach, lifting the child + into the air on his bayonet and carrying it away on his bayonet, he + and his comrades still singing. The child screamed when the soldier + struck it with his bayonet, but not afterwards.'"[112] + +The following brief extracts of German atrocities are taken from +Official Reports issued by the Belgian Legation:--[113] + + "On the evening of the 22nd" (August, at Tamines) "a group of + between 400 and 450 men was collected in front of the church, not + far from the bank of the Sambre. A German detachment opened fire on + them, but, as the shooting was a slow business, the officers + ordered up a machine gun, which soon swept off all the unhappy + peasants still left standing. Many of them were only wounded, and, + hoping to save their lives, got with difficulty on their feet + again. They were immediately shot down. Many wounded still lay + among the corpses," and some of these were bayoneted.... + + "Next day, Sunday, the 23rd, about 6 o'clock in the morning, + another party consisting of prisoners made in the village and the + neighbourhood were brought into the square, ... in the square was a + mass of bodies of civilians extending over at least 40 yards by 6 + yards. They had evidently been drawn up and shot.... An officer + asked for volunteers to bury the corpses. Those who volunteered + were set to work and dug a trench 15 yards long, 10 broad and 2 + deep. The corpses were carried to the trench on planks.... Actually + fathers buried the bodies of their sons, and sons the bodies of + their fathers. + + "There were in the square both soldiers and officers. They were + drinking champagne. The more the afternoon drew on the more they + drank.... We buried from 350 to 400 bodies." ... A wounded man was + buried alive, a German doctor having apparently ordered his + interment.... + + "About 9 in the morning" (at Dinant, August 23) "the German + soldiery, driving before them by blows from the butt-end of rifles, + men, women, and children, pushed them all into the Parade Square, + where they were kept prisoners till 6 o'clock in the evening. The + guard took pleasure in repeating to them that they would soon be + shot. About 6 o'clock a captain separated the men from the women + and children. The women were placed in front of a rank of infantry + soldiers, the men were ranged along a wall. The front rank of them + were told to kneel, the others remaining standing behind them. A + platoon of soldiers drew up in face of these unhappy men. It was in + vain that the women cried out for mercy for their husbands, sons, + and brothers. The officer ordered his men to fire. There had been + no inquiry nor any pretence of a trial. About 20 of the inhabitants + were only wounded, but fell among the dead. The soldiers, to make + sure, fired a new volley into the heap of them. Several citizens + escaped this double discharge. They shammed dead for more than two + hours, remaining motionless among the corpses, and when night fell + succeeded in saving themselves in the hills. Eighty-four corpses + were left on the square and buried in a neighbouring garden." + + "On Friday, August 21st, at 4 o'clock in the morning" (at Andenne, + between Namur and Huy) "the" (German) "soldiers spread themselves + through the town, driving all the population into the streets and + forcing men, women, and children to march before them with their + hands in the air. Those who did not obey with sufficient + promptitude, or did not understand the order given them in German, + were promptly knocked down. Those who tried to run away were shot. + It was at this moment that Dr. Camus" (the Burgomaster), "against + whom the Germans seemed to have some special spite, was wounded by + a rifle shot, and then finished off by a blow from an axe. His body + was dragged along by the feet for some distance.... + + "Subsequently the soldiers, on the order of their officers, picked + out of the mass some 40 or 50 men who were led off and all shot, + some along the bank of the Meuse, and others in front of the Police + Station. + + "The rest of the men were kept for a long time in the Place. Among + them lay two persons, one of whom had received a ball in the chest, + and the other a bayonet wound. They lay face to the ground with + blood from their wounds trickling into the dust, occasionally + calling for water. The officers forbade their neighbours to give + them any help.... Both died in the course of the day.... In the + morning the officers told the women to withdraw, giving them the + order to gather together the dead bodies and to wash away the + stains of blood which defiled the street and the houses." + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[109] Cd. 7894, p. 14. + +[110] Cd. 7894, p. 26. + +[111] Professor J. H. Morgan, Representative of the Home Office, +attached to the Headquarters Staff of the British Expeditionary Force, +states in a letter to the _Times_, dated May 20, 1915:-- + + " ... There has lately come into my hands--unfortunately too late + for use by the Committee--evidence which establishes beyond + reasonable doubt that the outrages upon combatants in the field are + committed by the orders of responsible officers, such as Brigade and + Company Commanders, and that British and Belgian soldiers are the + objects of peculiar malignancy.... _There is some evidence to show + that the East Prussian and Bavarian regiments are the worst + offenders. The French military authorities, who have been of great + assistance to me in my inquiries, informed me that they have now a + very considerable 'black list' of this character. When the time + comes to dictate terms of peace and to exact reparation that list + will be very useful...._ In the earlier stages of the war there was + a widespread disinclination on the part of our officers and men to + credit stories of 'atrocities.' Nothing has impressed me more than + the complete change of conviction on this point, especially among + our officers. As a Staff Officer of the highest eminence said to me + lately, 'The Germans have no sense of honour in the field.' Any + sense of the freemasonry of arms has practically disappeared among + them, and deliberate killing of the wounded is of frequent + occurrence." + +[112] Cd. 7894. p. 32. + +[113] The Commission chiefly responsible for these official Belgian +reports was composed of M. Cooreman, Minister of State (President); +Count Goblet d'Alviella, Minister of State and Vice-President of the +Senate; M. Ryckmans, Senator; M. Strauss, Alderman of the City of +Antwerp; M. Van Cutsem, Hon. President of the Law Court of Antwerp; and, +as Secretaries, Chevalier Ernst de Bunswyck, Chef du Cabinet of the +Minister of Justice, and M. Orts, Councillor of Legation. + + + + +APPENDIX D. + +GERMANY'S EMPLOYMENT OF POISONOUS GAS. + + +The following is a copy of a Report dated May 3, 1915, by Field-Marshal +Sir John French on the employment by the Germans of poisonous gases as +weapons of warfare:-- + + "The gases employed have been ejected from pipes laid into the + trenches, and also produced by the explosion of shells especially + manufactured for the purpose. The German troops who attacked under + cover of these gases were provided with specially designed + respirators, which were issued in sealed pattern covers. This all + points to long and methodical preparation on a large scale. + + "A week before the Germans first used this method they announced in + their official _communique_ that we were making use of asphyxiating + gases. At the time there appeared to be no reason for this + astounding falsehood, but now, of course, it is obvious that it was + part of the scheme. It is a further proof of the deliberate nature + of the introduction by the Germans of a new and illegal weapon, and + shows that they recognised its illegality and were anxious to + forestall neutral, and possibly domestic, criticism. + + "Since the enemy first made use of this method of covering his + advance with a cloud of poisoned air he has repeated it both in + offence and defence whenever the wind has been favourable. + + "The effect of this poison is not merely disabling, or even + painlessly fatal, as suggested in the German Press. Those of its + victims who do not succumb on the field, and who can be brought + into hospital, suffer acutely, and in a large proportion of cases + die a painful and lingering death. Those who survive are in little + better case, as the injury to their lungs appears to be of a + permanent character and reduces them to a condition which points to + their being invalids for life. These effects must be well known to + the German scientists who devised this new weapon and to the + military authorities who have sanctioned its use. + + "I am of opinion that the enemy has definitely decided to use these + gases as a normal procedure, and that protests will be useless." + + + + +APPENDIX E. + +EFFORTS OF GERMAN MINISTERS OF STATE TO LAY BLAME ON BRITAIN. + + +Since the war, both the German Imperial Chancellor, Herr von +Bethmann-Hollweg, and the German Foreign Secretary, Herr von Jagow, have +endeavoured to explain away the former's phrase: "a scrap of paper," +which shocked the diplomatic conscience of the world. Both have +endeavoured to lay the blame for the conflict at Great Britain's +door.[114] The German Imperial Chancellor now declares that:-- + + "Documents on the Anglo-Belgian Military Agreement which ... we + have found in the archives of the Belgian Foreign Office ... showed + that England in 1911 was determined to throw troops into Belgium + without the consent of the Belgian Government."[115] + +The true facts of the case are to be seen in the following extract from +the statement issued by the Belgian Minister in London, on March 17, +1915:-- + + "A month after the declaration of war the German Chancery + discovered at Brussels the reports of certain conversations which + had taken place in 1906 and in 1912 between two British Military + Attaches and two Chiefs of the Staff of the Belgian Army. In order + to transform these reports into documents which would justify + Germany's conduct it was necessary to garble them and to lie. Such + was the only way in which the German action against Belgium could + be made to appear decent.... Thus it came to pass that, with a + shamelessness for which history shows few parallels, the German + Chancery gave out that a 'Convention' had existed, by which Belgium + had betrayed her most sacred pledges and violated her own + neutrality for the benefit of England. To produce an impression on + those ignorant of the facts, 'German honesty' suppressed, when the + precis of the above-named conversations was published, the clause + in which it was set forth that the exchange of opinion therein + recorded _did reference only to the situation that would be created + if Belgian neutrality had already been violated_. The Belgian + Government gives to the allegations of the German Chancery the only + answer that they deserve--they are a tissue of lies, all the more + shameless because they are set forth by persons who claim to have + studied the original documents. + + "But what are the documents which Germany produces in order to + prove Belgium guilty? They are two in number:-- + + "(1) The narrative of certain interviews which took place between + Lieutenant-General Ducarne and Colonel Barnardiston in 1906. In the + course of these interviews the British officer set forth his views + as to the way in which England could help Belgium _in case the + latter were attacked by Germany_. One phrase in the document + clearly proves that Colonel Barnardiston is dealing with a + hypothetical case--viz., 'the entry of English troops into Belgium + would only take place after a violation of Belgian neutrality by + Germany.' The translation in the _Norddeutsche Zeitung_ of November + 25 _omits this clause_, the phrase which gives its exact scope and + significance to the document. Moreover, the photograph of General + Ducarne's report contains the words, 'The officer with whom I spoke + insists that our conversation has been absolutely confidential.' + For the word _conversation_ the _Norddeutsche Zeitung_ substitutes + the word 'convention.' Colonel Barnardiston is made to say that + 'our convention' has been absolutely confidential![116] + + "Such proceedings need no commentary. + + "(2) The second document is the report of a conversation on the + same subject in April, 1912, between Lieutenant-General Jungbluth + and Lieutenant-Colonel Bridges. In the course of the conversation + the former observed to the latter that 'any English intervention in + favour of Belgium, if she were the victim of German aggression, + could only take place with our consent.' The British Military + Attache raised the point that England might perhaps exercise her + rights and duties, as one of the Powers guaranteeing Belgium, + without waiting for the appeal to be made to her. This was Colonel + Bridges' personal opinion only. The British Government has always + held, as did the Belgian Government, that the consent of the latter + was a necessary preliminary. + + "The Belgian Government declares on its honour that not only was no + 'Convention' ever made, but also that neither of the two + Governments ever made any advances or propositions concerning the + conclusion of any such convention. Moreover, the Minister of Great + Britain at Brussels, who alone could contract engagements in her + behalf, never intervened in these conversations. And the whole + Belgian Ministry are ready to pledge themselves on oath that no + conclusions arising from these conversations were ever brought + before the Cabinet, or even laid before one single member of it. + The documents which the Germans discovered give evidence of all + this. Their meaning is perfectly clear provided that no part of + them is either garbled or suppressed. + + "In face of calumnies repeated again and again, our Government, + faithfully reflecting Belgian uprightness, considers that it is its + duty to inflict once more on the spoiler of Belgium the brand of + infamy--his only legitimate reward. It also takes the opportunity + of declaring, in answer to allegations whose malevolence is + obvious, that:-- + + "(1) Before the declaration of war no French force, even of the + smallest size, had entered Belgium. + + "(2) Not only did Belgium never refuse an offer of military help + offered by one of the guaranteeing Powers, but after the + declaration of war she earnestly solicited the protection of her + guarantors. + + "(3) When undertaking, as was her duty, the vigorous defence of her + fortresses, Belgium asked for, and received with gratitude, such + help as her guarantors were able to place at her disposition for + that defence. + + "Belgium the victim of her own loyalty, will not bow her head + before any Power. Her honour defies the assaults of falsehood. She + has faith in the justice of the world. On the day of judgment the + triumph belongs to the people who have sacrificed everything to + serve conscientiously the cause of Truth, Right, and Honour." + +In the foregoing connection, the following extract from a statement +authorised by Sir Edward Grey on January 26, 1915, is of interest:-- + + "As regards the conversation ... the Belgian officer said to the + British: 'You could only land in our country with our consent,' and + in 1913 Sir Edward Grey gave the Belgian Government a categorical + assurance that no British Government would violate the neutrality + of Belgium; and that 'so long as it was not violated by any other + Power we should certainly not send troops ourselves into their + territory.' + + "The Chancellor's method of misusing documents may be illustrated + in this connection. He represents Sir Edward Grey as saying 'he did + not believe England would take such a step, because he did not + think English public opinion would justify such action.' What Sir + Edward Grey actually wrote was:--'I said that I was sure that this + Government would not be the first to violate the neutrality of + Belgium, and I did not believe that any British Government would be + the first to do so, nor would public opinion here ever approve of + it.' + + "If the German Chancellor wishes to know why there were + conversations on military subjects between British and Belgian + officers, he may find one reason in a fact well known to him, + namely, that Germany was establishing an elaborate network of + strategical railways, leading from the Rhine to the Belgian + frontier, through a barren, thinly-populated tract--railways + deliberately constructed to permit of a sudden attack upon Belgium, + such as was carried out in August last. This fact alone was enough + to justify any communications between Belgium and other Powers on + the footing that there would be no violation of Belgian neutrality + unless it were previously violated by another Power...." + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[114] Interview with Herr von Jagow, by the _New York World_, March 28, +1915; interview with Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg, by the Associated Press, +in New York papers, January 25, 1915. + +[115] No such "conversations" took place in 1911. A passing reference +only to the Morocco situation of 1911 was made in the 1912 +"conversations." This appears to be the German Chancellor's sole +foundation for his assertion. Cd. 7860, p. 360. + +[116] In a letter to the _Morning Post_ of February 8, 1915, Mr. A. +Hamon, Professor de l'Universite, Nouville de Bruxelles, writes:-- + + "In October and November last (13th and 24th) the _Norddeutsche + Allgemeine Zeitung_ published the documents seized by the Germans + in the Belgian archives. The German Government then published a + Dutch edition of these documents, accompanied by a photographic + reproduction of the said documents. The pamphlet bears the name of + R. W. E. Wijnmalen as publisher, in the town of Den Haag (The + Hague). On the photographic document we read in the margin: 'The + entry of the English into Belgium would only take place after the + violation of our neutrality by Germany.' Now, this extremely + important note is omitted in the Dutch translation. It was also + omitted in the German translation. This is a falsification through + omission, a very serious falsification, as it modified the meaning + of the document. + + "But we have worse still. On the top of page 2 of General Ducarne's + letter to the Minister, he says: 'My interlocutor insisted on this + fact that "our conversation was quite confidential...."' In the + Dutch translation, instead of 'conversation,' there is 'convention' + (overeenkomst)! The mistake is great and cannot be but purposely + made. The German Government thus changes into a convention, that is + to say, an agreement, what is but a simple conversation." + + + + +APPENDIX F. + +LIST OF PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS RESPECTING THE WAR. + + +Correspondence respecting the European Crisis. Misc. No. 6 (1914). + +Rupture of Diplomatic Relations with the German Government. Despatch +from His Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin. Misc. No. 8 (1914). + +German Organisation for Influencing the Press of other Countries. +Despatches from His Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin. Misc. No. 9 (1914). + +Rupture of Diplomatic Relations with the Austro-Hungarian Government. +Despatch from His Majesty's Ambassador at Vienna. Misc. 10 (1914). + +Documents respecting Negotiations preceding the War published by the +Russian Government. Misc. No. 11 (1914). + +Papers relating to the Support offered by the Princes and Peoples of +India to His Majesty in connection with the War. (I.O. paper.) + +Diplomatic Correspondence respecting the War published by the Belgian +Government. Misc. No. 12 (1914). + +Correspondence respecting Events leading to the Rupture of Relations +with Turkey. Misc. No. 13 (1914). + +Despatch from His Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople summarising +Events leading up to Rupture of Relations with Turkey and Reply. Misc. +No. 14 (1914). + +Diplomatic Correspondence respecting the War published by the French +Government. Misc. No. 15 (1914). + +Despatch to Sir H. Howard containing instruction respecting his Mission +to the Vatican. Misc. No. 1 (1914). + +Temperance Measures adopted in Russia since the outbreak of the War. +Despatch from Petrograd enclosing Memo. Misc. No. 2 (1915). + +Letter July 31/14 from President of French Republic to the King +respecting the European Crisis, and His Majesty's Reply. Misc. No. 3 +(1915). + +Treatment of German Prisoners in United Kingdom. Correspondence with the +U.S. Ambassador respecting. Misc. No. 5 (1915). + +Rights of Belligerents: Correspondence with U.S. Government. Misc. No. 6 +(1915). + +Treatment of Prisoners of War and Interned Civilians in the U.K. and +Germany respectively: Correspondence between His Majesty's Government +and U.S. Ambassador respecting. Misc. No. 7 (1915). + +Release of Interned Civilians and the Exchange of Diplomatic. &c., +Officers, and of certain classes of Naval and Military Officers, +Prisoners of War in the United Kingdom and Germany respectively. Misc. +No. 8 (1915). + +Sinking of German Cruiser "Dresden" in Chilean Territorial Waters: Notes +exchanged with the Chilean Minister. Misc. No. 9 (1915). + +List of certain Commissions and Committees set up to deal with Public +Questions arising out of the War. + +Bad Time kept in Shipbuilding, Munitions and Transport Areas: Report and +Statistics. + +Alleged German Outrages: Report of Committee. + +Alleged German Outrages: Appendix to Report of Committee. + +Collected Diplomatic Documents relating to the Outbreak of the European +War. Misc. No. 10 (1915). + +Treatment of British Prisoners of War and Interned Civilians at certain +places of detention in Germany: Report by United States Officials. Misc. +No. 11 (1915). + +Correspondence regarding the Naval and Military Assistance afforded to +His Majesty's Government by His Majesty's Oversea Dominions. (Cd. 7607.) + +Correspondence relating to Gifts of Food-Stuffs and other Supplies to +His Majesty's Government from the Oversea Dominions and Colonies. (Cd. +7608.) + +Correspondence regarding Gifts from the Oversea Dominions and Colonies. +(Cd. 7646.) + +Papers relating to Scales of Pensions and Allowances of Officers and Men +of the Oversea Contingents and their Dependents. (Cd. 7793.) + +Correspondence on the subject of the proposed Naval and Military +Expedition against German South-West Africa. (Cd. 7873.) + +Report on the Outbreak of the Rebellion and the Policy of the Government +with regard to its suppression. (Cd. 7874.) + +Further Correspondence regarding Gifts from the Oversea Dominions and +Colonies. (Cd. 7875.) + + + + + * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +The transcriber made this change to the text to correct an obvious +error: + + 1. p. 34, "appproaches" --> "approaches" + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREAT WAR AND HOW IT AROSE*** + + +******* This file should be named 36100.txt or 36100.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/6/1/0/36100 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://www.gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: +http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + |
