174.
Belgian Neutrality
1
I am authorized to declare that, in the event of an international
war, the French government, in accordance with the
declarations it has always made, will respect the neutrality of
Belgium. In the event of this neutrality not being respected
by another power, the French government, to secure its own
defense, might find it necessary to modify its attitude.
Reliable information has been received by the German
government to the effect that French forces intend to march
on the line of the Meuse by Givet and Namur. This information
leaves no doubt as to the intention of France to march
through Belgian territory against Germany.
The German government cannot but fear that Belgium, in
spite of the utmost goodwill, will be unable, without assistance,
to repel so considerable a French invasion with sufficient prospect
of success to afford an adequate guarantee against danger
to Germany. It is essential for the self-defense of Germany
that she should anticipate any such hostile attack. The German
government would, however, feel the deepest regret if
Belgium regarded as an act of hostility against herself the fact
that the measures of Germany’s opponents force Germany, for
her own protection, to enter Belgian territory.
In order to exclude any possibility of misunderstanding,
the German government makes the following declaration:
1. Germany has in view no act of hostility against Belgium.
In the event of Belgium being prepared in the coming war to
maintain an attitude of friendly neutrality toward Germany, the
German government binds itself, at the conclusion of peace,
to guarantee the possessions and independence of the Belgian
kingdom in full.
2. Germany undertakes, under the above-mentioned condition,
to evacuate Belgian territory on the conclusion of peace.
3. If Belgium adopts a friendly attitude, Germany is prepared,
in coöperation with the Belgian authorities, to purchase
all necessaries for her troops against a cash payment, and to pay
an indemnity for any damage that may have been caused by
German troops.
4. Should Belgium oppose the German troops, and in particular
should she throw difficulties in the way of their march
by a resistance of the fortresses on the Meuse, or by destroying
railways, roads, tunnels, or other similar works, Germany will,
to her regret, be compelled to consider Belgium as an enemy.
In this event, Germany can undertake no obligations toward
Belgium, but the eventual adjustment of the relations between
the two states must be left to the decision of arms.
The German government, however, entertains the distinct
hope that this eventuality will not occur, and that the Belgian
government will know how to take the necessary measures to
prevent the occurrence of incidents such as those mentioned.
In this case the friendly ties which bind the two neighboring
states will grow stronger and more enduring.
This note has made a deep and painful impression upon the
Belgian government.
The intentions attributed to France by Germany are in contradiction
to the formal declarations made to us on August 1,
in the name of the French government.
Moreover, if, contrary to our expectation, Belgian neutrality
should be violated by France, Belgium intends to fulfill her
international obligations and the Belgian army would offer
the most vigorous resistance to the invader.
The treaties of 1839, confirmed by the treaties of 1870, vouch
for the independence and neutrality of Belgium under the
guarantee of the powers, and notably of the government of his
Majesty the king of Prussia.
Belgium has always been faithful to her international obligations,
she has carried out her duties in a spirit of loyal impartiality,
and she has left nothing undone to maintain and
enforce respect for her neutrality.
The attack upon her independence with which the German
government threatens her constitutes a flagrant violation of
international law. No strategic interest justifies such a violation
of law.
The Belgian government, if it was to accept the proposals
submitted to them, would sacrifice the honor of the nation and
betray its duty toward Europe.
Conscious of the part which Belgium has played for more
than eighty years in the civilization of the world, it refuses
to believe that the independence of Belgium can only be preserved
at the price of the violation of her neutrality.
If this hope is disappointed, the Belgian government is firmly
resolved to repel, by all the means in its power, every attack upon
its rights.
1 , Nos. 15, 20, 22.