Document Numbers 601-625

4 August 1914
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(35842) No. 601.
Mr. Carnegie to Sir Edward Grey.
Lisbon, August 4, 1914.
D. 10:45 A.M.
Tel. (No. 30.)
R. 8:10 P.M.

Yesterday evening Prime Minister speaking in name of President of the Republic and of Government requested me to assure His Majesty's Government of Portugal's intention and desire to act in complete co-operation with Great Britain in whatever course latter may adopt.

Cf. No. 610.

(35846) No. 602.
Consul-General Sir C. Hertslet to Sir E. Grey.
Antwerp, August 4, 1914.
D. 1:4 P.M.
Tel. (No. 24.)
R. 3:10 P.M.

My telegram No. 19 of yesterday.(1)

State of siege at Antwerp raised last night but reinforced this morning.

All ships refused permission to leave port, but I have procured authority for departure of "Montrose" and other British vessels.

(1) No. 524.

(35837) No. 603.
Sir F. Villiers to Sir Edward Grey.
Brussels, August 4, 1914.
D. 1:1 P.M.
Tel. (No. 19.)
R. 8:12 P.M.

Special Session of Chambers opened this morning by the King in person who delivered patriotic speech. His Majesty and the Queen were given a great ovation. Prime Minister read correspondence with German Minister upon which he said no comment was required. Immense enthusiasm prevailed.

(35848) No. 604.
Mr. Chilton to Sir Edward Grey.
The Hague, August 4, 1914.
D. 1:30 P.M.
Tel. (No. 32.)
R. 8:30 P.M.

"Chef de Cabinet" at Ministry for Foreign Affairs told me this morning that German Government had not presented an ultimatum respecting neutrality to Netherlands Government, as reported in yesterday's papers. If they do, Netherlands Government will give same reply as Belgian Government have given.

Minister for Foreign Affairs is very hopeful that neutrality of the Netherlands will not be violated by any Power, but all precautions are being taken.

(35857) No. 605.
Mr. Beaumont to Sir Edward Grey.
Constantinople, August 3, 1914.
D. August 3, 9:30 P.M.
Tel. (No. 478.)
R. August 4, 3:30 P.M.

Grand Vizier to-day renewed assurances that Turkey intends to observe strict neutrality. Mobilisation had been decided upon only because it would take months to complete and because the Government wished not to be taken by surprise in case of aggression by Bulgaria, though they had also been alarmed by rumours of action by Russia attributable, I think, to German Ambassador. Retention of German military mission meant nothing and had no political significance. He regarded them as Turkish employés who were doing good work, and, as they had offered to remain, it would have been ungracious to refuse.

(Repeated to Sophia.)

Cf. Nos. 586 and 598.

[NOTE. An alliance between Turkey and Germany was signed on August 2 by which Turkey undertook to support Germany in the case of a war between Germany and Russia. See DD Nos. 72, 733.]

(35800) No. 606.
Sir Edward Grey to Mr. Carnegie (Lisbon).
Foreign Office, August 4, 1914.
Tel. (No 42.)
D. 3:30 P.M.

We learn that steamship "Admiral" lying at Delagoa Bay, is apparently acting as wireless coast station for transmission of wireless messages of German Government. Inform Portuguese Government most confidentially, and suggest that immediate instructions be sent to prevent such a possibility at the present critical moment. The proper course, which is being followed both here and in other countries at this moment, is to prevent any wireless apparatus in territorial waters being used except under Government control, and to compel all foreign vessels to dismantle their wireless apparatus.

(35856) No. 607.
Sir E. Goschen to Sir Edward Grey.
Berlin, August 4, 1914.
D. 2:30 P.M.
R. 3:35 P.M.

This telegram communicates text of telegrams exchanged between German Emperor and Emperor of Russia published in White Book at Berlin. For text of these telegrams see CDD, pp. 481, &c.

(35744) No. 608.
Communication from German Embassy, August 4, 1914.
Foreign Office.

Herr v. Wesendonk of the German Embassy called to say that the Ambassador had received a further telegram from his Government (dated 2:30 P.M. saying that it is absolutely untrue that a single German soldier had crossed the French frontier.

H. M.

8.8.191.

MINUTE.
M. de Fleuriau repeated to me an hour ago that they have actually shot a number of German officers who were over the frontier. E. A. C. August 3, 1914.

(35870) No. 609.
Sir F. Bertie to Sir Edward Grey.
Paris, August 4, 1914.
D. 1:3 P.M.
Tel. (No. 18.) En clair.
R. 3:55 P.M.

With reference to your telegram No. 310 of yesterday,(1) military attaché reports French War Office inform him that: Firstly, it has no information of any French patrol having crossed the frontier even a few yards. It would appear impossible by reason of the strict orders issued. Secondly, it is correct that a military aviator lost his way on 3rd August in Alsace. He landed by mistake in the suburbs of Mulhaus, and left again, arriving at Belfort without harm. Thirdly, no person, male or female, has received instructions to blow up the tunnel of Cochem or any other tunnel. It is unaware of any attempt of this nature. Fourthly, it has not received any information reporting crossing of the Alsatian frontier by French infantry.

(1) No. 540.

(35864) No. 610.
Sir Edward Grey to Mr. Carnegie.
Foreign Office, August 4, 1914.
Tel. (No. 43.)
D. 4:10 P.M.

My telegram No. 41 of to-day. (1)

Inform Minister for Foreign Affairs that in case of attack by Germany on any Portuguese possession, His Majesty's Government will consider themselves bound by the stipulations of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance.

For the present His Majesty's Government would be satisfied if the Portuguese Government refrained from proclaiming neutrality.

In the event of His Majesty's Government hereafter considering it necessary to make any demand upon the Portuguese Government which would not be compatible with the latter's neutrality, they would appeal to the alliance as justification for such demand.

(1) No. 590. Cf. also Nos. 565 and 601.

(35872) No. 611.
Sir F. Villiers to Sir Edward Grey.
Brussels, August 4, 1914.
D. l P.M.
Tel (No. 22.)
R. 4:20 P.M.

Military attaché has been informed at War Office that German troops, have now undoubtedly entered Belgian territory, and that Liège has been summoned to surrender by small party of Germans, who, however, were repulsed. War Office states that mobilisation has taken place without a hitch, and that army is at this moment concentrated as intended. Dutch Limburg has not been occupied by Germans. French military attaché has been informed that German troops are now concentrating at Aix-la-Chapelle.

Published in BB No. 158 (last three sentences omitted).

(35907) No. 612.
German Foreign Office to German Ambassador, London.
D. August 4, 4:38 P.M.
R. in London at 4:17 P.M.
Tel. (No. 1545.)
Sent out for delivery at 4:25 P.M.

Declaration Bethmann Reichstag to-day. We are in self-defence and needs must. Our troops have occupied Luxemburg and perhaps have already entered Belgian territory. This is an infraction to International Law. Though the French Government have declared in Brussels to be willing to respect Belgium's neutrality as long as the adversary would respect it, we knew that France was ready for invasion. France was able to wait, we were not. A French aggression into our flank on the lower Rhine would have been disastrous. We were therefore compelled to overrule the legitimate protest of the Luxemburg and Belgian Governments. We shall repair the wrong which we are doing, as soon as our military aims have been reached. Anybody threatened as we are and fighting for his most sacred goods must on think of pulling through. As to the attitude of England, the statement made by Sir Edward Grey in the House of Commons has clearly laid down the point of view taken by the British Government that as long as England will keep neutral our fleet would not attack the Northern Coast of France and that we would not touch the territorial integrity and the independence of Belgium. I herewith repeat this declaration publicly before the whole world and I may add that as long as England keeps neutral we would be willing in case of reciprocity not to undertake any hostile operations against the French commercial navigation.

JAGOW.

[NOTE. This telegram was communicated to the Foreign Office by the Censor. It as sent en clair and in English, obviously with the intention that it should be intercepted (DD No. 829). Punctuation as in the original.]

(35863) No. 613.
Sir F. Bertie to Sir Edward Grey.
Paris, August 4, 1914.
D. 1:15.
Tel. (No. 135.)
R. 4:30.

In answer to your telegram No. 309 of August 3rd(1) Military Attaché reports that French War Office states that bodies of two Germans, one an officer and the other either an officer or under-officer are on French soil and the French authorities are in possession of their clothes and identification papers.

(1) No. 529.

(35876) No. 614.
Sir F. Bertie to Sir Edward Grey.
Paris, August 4, 1914.
D. 1:15 P.M.
Tel. (No. 132.)
R. 5 P.M.

Following from Military Attaché: