Bethmann-Hollweg, the Imperial Chancellor, had
given similar assurance; that in 1913 Herr von Jagow, the German Foreign
Secretary, had made similar statements of a reassuring character in the
budget committee of the Reichstag concerning the neutrality of Belgium;
to which the German Minister replied that he was aware of the
conversation with his predecessor, and that "he was certain that the
sentiments expressed at that epoch had not changed."
On August 2nd, in the course of the day, the German Minister in
Brussels, M. De Below Saleske, gave an interview to the newspaper Le
Soir, and declared that Belgium had nothing to fear from Germany. He
went so far as to employ this expression:
You will see, perhaps, your neighbor's house on fire, but your
house will remain intact.
The same day, at 7 o'clock in the evening, he communicated the following
note to the Belgian Government:
The German Note.
The German Government has received unimpeachable news to the effect
that the French forces have the intention of marching on the Meuse
by Givet and Namur. This news leaves no doubt as to the intention
of France to march upon Germany from Belgian territory. The
Imperial Government of Germany cannot help fearing that Belgium, in
spite of the best intentions, will not be in a position to repulse
without help an incursion by the French of such great magnitude.
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