100 Years ago....1st August 1914 Germany declares war on Russia. German troops invade Luxembourg. Belgium receives the official assurance that France will respect the neutrality of Belgium> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- British Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey warned German Ambassador Prince Lichnowsky that if Germany invaded Belgium, Britain would go to war. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A British offer to guarantee French neutrality was sent out and promptly accepted by Wilhelm. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At 4:23 p.m. a telegram from the German Ambassador to Britain arrived with a planned British proposal to guarantee the neutrality of France and thus limit the war to one fought in the east. Wilhelm then ordered German forces to strike against Russia alone, leading to fierce protests from Moltke that it was not technically possible for Germany to do so as the bulk of the German forces were already advancing into Luxembourg and Belgium. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wilhelm immediately accepted the proposal by telegrams at the ambassadorial and royal levels. In keeping with this decision, Wilhelm II demanded his generals shift the mobilization to the east. Helmuth von Moltke (the younger), the German Chief of General Staff, told him that this was impossible, to which the Kaiser replied Your uncle would have given me a different answer! Instead, it was decided to mobilize as planned and cancel the planned invasion of Luxembourg. Once mobilization was complete, the army would redeploy to the east. Moltke then proceeded to persuade the Emperor to continue the advance for “technical reasons”. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Berlin, Bethmann Hollweg announced that Germany had mobilized and delivered an ultimatum to France telling that country to renounce its alliance with Russia or face a German attack. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In response to reports of German troops invading Luxembourg and Belgium plus the German ultimatum, French mobilization was authorized on August 1st. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- France again solicits the armed intervention of Great Britain. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Russia refuses to reply to the German ultimatum and does not demobilise. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Marquis di San Giuliano answered that as the war undertaken by Austria was aggressive and did not fall within the purely defensive character of the Triple Alliance, particularly in view of the consequences which might result from it according to the declaration of the German Ambassador, Italy could not take part in the war. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- M. Rene Vimani, President of the Council, Minister for Foreign Affairs, to M. Mollard, French Minister at Luxembourg. Paris, August 1, 1914- Be good enough to state to the President of the Council that in conformity with the Treaty of London, 1867, the Government of the Republic intends to respect the neutrality of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, as they have shown by their attitude. The violation of this neutrality by Germany would, however, be an act of a kind which would compel France from that time to be guided in this matter by care for her defence and her interests. Rene Viviani. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sir Edward Grey to Sir E. Goschen, British Ambassador at Berlin. (Telegraphic.) Foreign Office, August 1, 1914. We are informed that authorities at Hamburg have forcibly detained steamers belonging to the Great Central Company and other British merchant-ships. I cannot ascertain on what grounds the detention of British ships has been ordered. You should request German Government to send immediate orders that they should be allowed to proceed without delay. The effect on public opinion here will be deplorable unless this is done. His Majestys Government, on their side, are most anxious to avoid any incident of an aggressive nature, and the German Government will, I hope, be equally careful not to take any step which would make the situation between us impossible. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The French forces on the frontier have opposed to them eight army corps on a war footing, and an attack is expected at any moment. It is therefore of the utmost importance to guard against this. A zone of 10 km. has been left between the French troops and German frontier. The French troops will not attack, and the Minister of War is anxious that it should be explained that this act of mobilisation is one for purely defensive purposes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note presented by the German Ambassador at St. Petersburgh at 7.10 P.M. The Imperial German Government have used every effort since the beginning of the crisis to bring about a peaceful settlement. In compliance with a wish expressed to him by His Majesty the Emperor of Russia, the German Emperor had undertaken, in concert with Great Britain, the part of mediator between the Cabinets of Vienna and St. Petersburg ; but Russia, without waiting for any result, proceeded to a general mobilisation of her forces both on land and sea. In consequence of this threatening step, which was not justified by any military proceedings on the part of Germany, the German Empire was faced by a grave and imminent danger. If the German Government had failed to guard against this peril, they would have compromised the safety and the very existence of Germany. The German Government were, therefore, obliged to make representations to the Government of His Majesty the Emperor of All the Russias and to insist upon a cessation of the aforesaid military acts. Russia having refused to comply with this demand, and having shown by this refusal that her action was directed against Germany, I have the honour, on the instructions of my Government, to inform your Excellency as follows ; — His Majesty the Emperor, my august Sovereign, in the name of the German Empire, accepts the challenge, and considers himself at war with Russia. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The West Australian, 1st August 1914 trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/2795394?zoomLevel=1 The Daily News, 1st August 1914 trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/7810316?zoomLevel=1
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 14:02:56 +0000
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