promising to maintain the independence and integrity of the kingdom
and its possessions at the conclusion of peace, threatening in case
of refusal to treat Belgium as an enemy. An answer was requested
within twelve hours. We also understand that Belgium has
categorically refused this as a flagrant violation of the law of
nations. His Majesty's Government are bound to protest against this
violation of a treaty to which Germany is a party in common with
themselves, and must request an assurance that the demand made upon
Belgium may not be proceeded with, and that her neutrality will be
respected by Germany. You should ask for an immediate reply.

We received this morning from our Minister at Brussels the following
telegram:

German Minister has this morning addressed note to the Belgian
Minister for Foreign Affairs stating that, as Belgian Government
have declined the well-intended proposals submitted to them by the
Imperial Government, the latter will, deeply to their regret, be
compelled to carry out, if necessary by force of arms, the measures
considered indispensable in view of the French menaces.

Simultaneously--almost immediately afterward--we received from the
Belgian Legation here in London the following telegram:

General Staff announces that territory has been violated at
Gemmenich (near Aix-la-Chapelle).

Subsequent information tended to show that the German force has
penetrated still further into Belgian territory. We also received this
morning from the German Ambassador here the telegram sent to him by the
German Foreign Secretary, and communicated by the Ambassador to us. It
is in these terms:

Please dispel any mistrust that may subsist on the part of the
British Government with regard to our intentions by repeating most
positively formal assurance that, even in the case of armed
conflict with Belgium, Germany will, under no pretense whatever,
annex Belgian territory. Sincerity of this declaration is borne out
by fact that we solemnly pledged our word to Holland strictly to
respect her neutrality. It is obvious that we could not profitably
annex Belgic territory without making at the same time territorial
acquisitions at expense of Holland. Please impress upon Sir E. Grey
that German Army could not be exposed to French attack across
Belgium, which was planned a