She would then leave the ultimate arrangements of the relations of the
two States to the decision of arms. In other words, if Belgium does not
agree to violate the treaty, Germany will treat her as an enemy, and she
adds a veiled threat of annexing a part or the whole of her territory.
The moral fibre of nations is not always measured by their size or
power. Belgium is small and weak, but her answer bears witness to her
love of justice and to her respect of the right. She would rather die
with honor than live dishonored.
That was made clear by the answer of her Government. The answer was as
follows:
Reply to German Note.
The German note has been a painful surprise to the Belgian
Government. The intentions which the note attributes to France are
in contradiction to the formal declarations which were made to us
on the 1st of August in the name of the republic. Besides, if
contrary to our expectations, France is about to violate the
neutrality of Belgium, Belgium would be prepared to fulfil its
neutrality obligations, and her army would offer to the invader the
most vigorous resistance. The treaties of 1839, confirmed by the
treaties of 1870, commit to the guarantee of the powers and notably
to the Government of his Majesty the King of Prussia the
independence and neutrality of the Kingdom of Belgium.
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