onor of bringing to your Excellency's
knowledge that the German authorities will detain French merchant
vessels in German ports, but will release them if within
forty-eight hours complete reciprocity is assured.

My diplomatic mission having terminated, all that remains for me to
do is to request your Excellency to provide me with my passports
and take whatever measures your Excellency may deem necessary to
effect my return to Germany with the personnel of the embassy and
of the Bavarian Legation and the Consulate General of Germany at
Paris.

With sentiments of my highest consideration.

SCHOEN.

* * * * *

Is it necessary, gentlemen, that I should call attention to the
absurdity of the pretexts brought forward as grievances? Never at any
time has any French aviator gone into Belgium; no French aviator has
committed an act of hostility either in Bavaria or any other part of
Germany. European public opinion has already done justice to these
miserable inventions.

We immediately took all needed steps against this attack, which violates
all laws of equity and rules of public law. The carrying out of these is
progressing with thorough system and absolute calm.

The mobilization of the Russian Army is also being continued with
remarkable energy and boundless enthusiasm.

The Belgian Army, mobilized up to 250,000 men, is preparing with
magnificent spirit to defend the neutrality and independence of its
country.

The English fleet is entirely mobilized, and the order has been given
for the mobilization of the land forces.

Since 1912 there have been consultations between the English and French
General Staffs. These had resulted in an exchange of letters between Sir
Edward Grey and M. Paul Cambon. The Secretary of State made these known
yesterday in the House of Commons, and, in accordance with the wishes of
the British Government, I shall have the honor of reading these two
documents to this Parliament:

London, Foreign Office, Nov. 22, 1912.

My Dear Ambassador:

From time to time in recent years the French and British naval and
military experts have consulted together. It has always been
understood that such consultation does not restrict the freedom of
either Government to decide at any future time whether or not to
assist the other by armed force. We have agreed that consultation