to know
how to make their dispositions with their north coast entirely
undefended. We therefore thought it necessary to give them this
assurance. It did not bind us to go to war with Germany unless
the German fleet took the action indicated, but it did not give a
security to France that would enable her to settle the
disposition of her own Mediterranean fleet.

"M. Cambon asked me about the violation of Luxemburg. I told him
the doctrine on that point laid down by Lord Derby and Lord
Clarendon in 1867. He asked me what we should say about the
violation of the neutrality of Belgium. I said that was a much
more important matter; we were considering what statement we
should make in Parliament to-morrow--in effect, whether we should
declare violation of Belgian neutrality to be a _casus belli_. I
told him what had been said to the German Ambassador on this
point."

_France._ Ambassador Paleologue telegraphed from St. Petersburg that
the German Ambassador, Count Pourtales was leaving the Russian
capital that day, and that the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador, Count
Szapary had not yet received instructions from Vienna as to the
declaration of war.

M. Viviani, Minister for Foreign Affairs, notified the Ambassadors
at London, St. Petersburg, Berlin, Vienna, Rome, Madrid, and
Constantinople:

"This morning, French territory was violated by German troops at
Ciry and near Longwy. They are marching on the fort which bears
the latter name. Elsewhere the Custom House at Delle has twice
been fired upon. Finally, German troops have also violated this
morning the neutral territory of Luxemburg.

"You will at once use this information to lay stress on the fact
that the German Government is committing itself to acts of war
against France without provocation on our part, or any previous
declaration of war, whilst we have scrupulously respected the
zone of ten kilometers which we have maintained, even since the
mobilization, between our troops and the frontier."

Ambassador Paul Cambon reported from London Sir Edward Grey's
declaration of the British Cabinet as to protection of France by the
British fleet.

"Afterwards in speaking to me of the neutrality of Belgium and
that of Luxemburg, the Secretary of State reminded me that the
Convention of 1867, referring to the Grand Duchy, differed f