xistence since 1906. The following extracts speak for themselves:

_No. 28--Offer of intervention by England. Note handed to Sir
Francis H. Villiers, British Minister to Belgium, to M. Davignon,
Minister of Foreign Affairs._

Brussels, Aug. 4, 1914.

I am instructed to inform the Belgium Government that, if Germany
exercises pressure for the purpose of compelling Belgium to abandon
her position of a neutral country, the Government of his Britannic
Majesty expects Belgium to resist by every possible means.

The Government of his Britannic Majesty is ready in that event to
join with Russia and France, if desired by Belgium, to offer to the
Belgian Government at once common action for the purpose of
resisting the use of force by Germany against Belgium and at the
same time to offer a guarantee to maintain the independence and
integrity of Belgium in the future.

_No. 37--Offer of England for an alliance for the object of
assuring the neutrality of Belgium against the pressure of
Germany._

London, Aug. 4, 1914.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs has informed the British Ministers
in Norway, Holland, and Belgium that Great Britain expects that
these three kingdoms will resist the pressure of Germany and
maintain neutrality. They will be supported in their resistance by
England, who in such a case is ready to co-operate with France and
Russia, if such is the desire of these three Governments, in
offering an alliance to the said Governments to repel the
employment of force against them by Germany and a guarantee for the
future maintenance of the independence and the integrity of the
three kingdoms.

I pointed out that Belgium is neutral in perpetuity. The Minister
for Foreign Affairs replied: "It is for the event of neutrality
being violated."

(Signed) LALAING,

Belgium Minister in London.

_No. 40--Belgium appeals to the powers after the invasion of
Belgium._

Brussels, Aug. 4, 1914.

Monsieur le Ministre--The Belgium Government regrets to have to
announce to your Excellency that this morning the armed forces of
Germany penetrated into Belgian territory, violating the
engagements which they have undertaken by treaty.

The Belgian Government are firmly decided to resist by all means in
their power.