Chapter 10

THE CASE OF BELGIUM

The verdict of history not affected by result of war--Belgium at outbreak of war--The Treaty of 1839--Its affirmation by Bismarck--France's action in 1871--Reaffirmation by Germany of Belgian neutrality in 1911-1914--The Hague Peace Conference of 1907--England asks Germany's and France's intentions with respect to Belgium's neutrality--France replies--Germany's refusal to reply--Germany's second offer to England--Germany's ultimatum to Belgium--Belgium's reply--France's offer of five army corps--Belgium refuses aid--Germany's declaration of war against Belgium--The German Chancellor's explanation in the Reichstag--The Belgian King appeals to England--England's ultimatum to Germany--The "scrap of paper" incident--England declares war against Germany--The apologies for Germany's action discussed--Belgium's rights independent of Treaty of 1839 or The Hague Convention--Germany's allegation that France had violated Belgium's neutrality an afterthought--Von Mach's plea for the suspension of judgment--The Brussels documents discussed--The negotiations between England and Belgium--The German Chancellor's belated explanation of the "scrap of paper" phrase--Invasion of Belgium a recrudescence of Machiavelliism--The great blunder of Germany's diplomats and soldiers 196