eat Britain had sent to Germany its ultimatum concerning Belgium,
and expected an answer to-night at twelve o'clock.

"Sir E. Grey said to me that at present there was no reason why
he should make any communication to the Imperial and Royal
Government, and there was no cause why a conflict should arise
between us, so long as we were not in a condition of war with
France. In any case, he hoped that we would not begin hostilities
without the formality of a previous declaration of war. He does
not intend to recall Sir M. de Bunsen.

"Should we be at war with France, it would indeed be difficult
for Great Britain, as the ally of France, to cooperate with her
in the Atlantic, and not in the Mediterranean."

VON BETHMANN-HOLLWEG EXPLAINS GERMANY'S POSITION IN THE REICHSTAG

_Germany._ Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg spoke before the
Reichstag (Imperial Parliament). The points of his address were as
follows:

1. Germany has kept the peace and protected the peace of Europe for
forty-four years, yet, under the pretense that she was desirous of
war,

"enmity has been awakened against us in the East and the West and
chains have been fashioned for us. The wind then sown has brought
forth the whirlwind which has now broken loose. We wished to
continue our work of peace, and, like a silent vow, the feeling
that animated everyone from the emperor down to the youngest
soldier was this: Only in defence of a just cause shall our sword
fly from its scabbard.

"The day has now come when we must draw it, against our wish, and
in spite of our sincere endeavors. Russia has set fire to the
building. We are at war with Russia and France--a war that has
been forced upon us."

2. Germany has endeavored to localize the conflict between
Austria-Hungary and Serbia. All other European Governments
(particularly Great Britain) save one took the same attitude.
Russia alone asserted that she had to be heard in a settlement of
the matter.

"Thus the danger of a European crisis raised its threatening
head."

3. Russia began to mobilize. On this, Germany declared that Russian
military measures against Austria-Hungary would find her on the side
of her ally, and that she would take countermeasures, coming near to
actual war.

"Russia assured us in the most solemn manner of her desire for
peace, and declared that she wa