uld assume
responsibility for this."

At 5.30 p. m. the ambassador telegraphed that Grey had just read to
him the following unanimous declaration of the British Cabinet:

"The reply of the German Government with regard to the neutrality
of Belgium is a matter of very great regret, because the
neutrality of Belgium does affect feeling in this country. If
Germany could see her way to give the same positive reply as that
which has been given by France, it would materially contribute to
relieve anxiety and tension here, while, on the other hand, if
there were a violation of the neutrality of Belgium by one
combatant while the other respected it, it would be extremely
difficult to restrain public feeling in this country.

"On my question whether, on condition that we would maintain the
neutrality of Belgium, he could give me a definite declaration
with regard to the neutrality of Great Britain, the minister
answered that that was impossible, but that this question would
play a great part in public opinion in this country. If we
violated Belgian neutrality in a war with France there would
certainly be a change in public opinion which would make it
difficult for the Cabinet here to maintain friendly neutrality.
For the time there was not the slightest intention to proceed in
a hostile manner against us. It would be their desire to avoid
this if there was any possibility of doing so. It was, however,
difficult to draw a line up to which we could go without
intervention on this side. He turned again and again to Belgian
neutrality, and was of opinion that this question would also play
a great part.

"He had also thought whether it was not possible that we and
France should, in case of a Russian war, stand armed opposite to
one another without attacking. I asked him if he would be in a
position to arrange that France would assent to an agreement of
this kind. As we wanted neither to destroy France nor to annex
portions of French territory, I could think that we would give
our assent to an arrangement of this kind which would secure for
us the neutrality of Great Britain. The minister said he would
make inquiries; he also recognized the difficulties of holding
back the military on both sides."

At 8.30 p. m. the ambassador telegraphed:

"My commu