request would appeal to you, I said that I did not think it
probable that at this stage of events you would care to bind
yourself to any course of action and that I was of opinion
that you would desire to retain full liberty.[68]

[Footnote 68: English _White Paper_, No. 85.]

While the German Foreign Office was thus endeavoring to keep England
neutral, its army was on the move against France. This does not rest
upon vague allegation, but upon the detailed specifications in a
communication from the French Foreign Office, which the French
Ambassador in London submitted to Sir Edward Grey on July 31st. Its
significance is apparent when it is remembered that simultaneously
the Kaiser was invoking the Czar to demobilize his armies, and cease
military preparations.

The German army had its advance posts on our frontiers
yesterday (Friday). German patrols twice penetrated on to
our territory. Our advance posts are withdrawn to a distance
of 10 kilometers from the frontier. The local population is
protesting against being thus abandoned to the attack of the
enemy's army, but the Government wishes to make it clear to
public opinion and to the British Government that in no case
will France be the aggressor. The whole 16th Corps from
Metz, reinforced by a part of the 8th from Treves and
Cologne, is occupying the frontier at Metz on the Luxemburg
side. The 15th Army Corps from Strassburg has closed up on
the frontier. The inhabitants of Alsace-Lorraine are
prevented by the threat of being shot from crossing the
frontier. Reservists have been called back to Germany by
tens of thousands. This is the last stage before
mobilization, whereas we have not called out a single
reservist.

As you see, Germany has done it. _I would add that all my
information goes to show that the German preparations began
on Saturday, the very day on which the Austrian note was
handed in._[69]

[Footnote 69: English _White Paper_, No. 105 "Austrian" obviously
means "Servian."]

In reply to the suggestion of the German Chancellor as to the
neutrality of England, Sir Edward Grey advised the English Ambassador
on July 30th, as follows:

His Majesty's Government cannot for a moment entertain the
Chancellor's proposal that they should bind themselves to
neutrality on such terms.

What he asks us in effect is to