" The England of those days gave a noble answer to his appeal,
and did not sheath the sword until, after nearly twenty years of
fighting, the freedom of Europe was secured. Let us go and do likewise.
[Prolonged cheers.]
* * * * *
GERMANY SPEAKS.
T. von Bethmann-Hollweg, German Imperial Chancellor, in Statement to
Ritzau's Danish Press Bureau, Sept. 13, 1914.
The English Prime Minister, in his Guildhall speech, reserved to England
the role of protector of the smaller and weaker States, and spoke about
the neutrality of Holland, Belgium and Switzerland as being exposed to
danger from the side of Germany. It is true that we have broken
Belgium's neutrality because bitter necessity compelled us to do so, but
we promised Belgium full indemnity and integrity if she would take
account of this state of necessity. If so, she would not have suffered
any damage, as, for example, Luxemburg. If England, as protector of the
weaker States, had wished to spare Belgium infinite suffering she should
have advised Belgium to accept our offer. England has not "protected"
Belgium, so far as we know; I wonder, therefore, whether it can really
be said that England is such a disinterested protector.
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