Denies Hostile Acts by French.
The next day, Sunday, Aug. 2, despite the extreme moderation of France
and the pacific statements of the German Ambassador in Paris, and
scorning the rules of international law, German troops crossed our
frontier at three different points.
At the same time, in violation of the Treaty of 1867 guaranteeing the
neutrality of Luxemburg, of which Prussia was a signatory, they invaded
the territory of the Grand Duchy, thus evoking a protest from the
Luxemburg Government.
Finally, even the neutrality of Belgium was menaced. On the evening of
Aug. 2 the German Minister handed to the Belgian Government an ultimatum
demanding that military operations against France be facilitated by
Belgium under the lying pretext that Belgian neutrality was threatened
by us.
The Belgian Government refused, announcing that it had resolved to
defend energetically its neutrality respected by France and guaranteed
by treaties, especially by the King of Prussia.
Since then, gentlemen, acts of aggression have been repeated,
multiplied, and accentuated. Our frontier has been crossed at more than
fifteen places. Rifle shots have been fired at our soldiers and customs
officials. There have been killed and wounded.
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