Well, Sir, until one has these things absolutely
definitely, up to the last moment, I do not wish to say all that one
would say if one were in a position to give the House full, complete,
and absolute information upon the point. We were sounded in the course
of last week as to whether, if a guarantee were given that, after the
war, Belgian integrity would be preserved, that would content us. We
replied that we could not bargain away whatever interests or obligations
we had in Belgian neutrality.
Shortly before I reached the House I was informed that the following
telegram had been received from the King of the Belgians by our
King--King George:
Remembering the numerous proofs of your Majesty's friendship and
that of your predecessors, and the friendly attitude of England in
1870, and the poof of friendship she has just given us again, I
make a supreme appeal to the diplomatic intervention of your
Majesty's Government to safeguard the integrity of Belgium.
Diplomatic intervention took place last week on our part. What can
diplomatic intervention do now? We have great and vital interests in the
independence--and integrity is the least part--of Belgium. If Belgium is
compelled to submit to allow her neutrality to be violated, of course
the situation is clear.
Pages:
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257