tain the distinct hope that
this eventuality will not occur, and that the Belgian Government
will know how to take the necessary measures to prevent the
occurrence of incidents such as those mentioned. In this case the
friendly ties which bind the two neighbouring States will grow
stronger and more enduring.]

[Footnote 2: The Belgian Government replied as follows to the German
ultimatum:

The German Government stated in their note of the 2nd August, 1914,
that according to reliable information French forces intended to
march on the Meuse via Givet and Namur, and that Belgium, in spite
of the best intentions, would not be in a position to repulse,
without assistance, an advance of French troops.

The German Government, therefore, considered themselves compelled to
anticipate this attack and to violate Belgian territory. In these
circumstances, Germany proposed that the Belgian Government adopt a
friendly attitude towards her, and undertook, on the conclusion of
peace, to guarantee the integrity of the Kingdom and its possessions
to their full extent. The note added that if Belgium put
difficulties in the way of the advance of German troops, Germany
would be compelled to consider her as an enemy, and to leave the
ultimate adjustment of the relations between the two States to the
decision of arms.

This note has made a deep and painful impression upon the Belgian
Government.

The intentions attributed to France by Germany are in contradiction
to the formal declarations made to us on August 1st in the name of
the French Government.

Moreover, if contrary to our expectation, Belgian neutrality should
be violated by France, Belgium intends to fulfil her international
obligations and the Belgian army would offer the most vigorous
resistance to the invader.

The treaties of 1839, confirmed by the treaties of 1870, vouch for
the independence and neutrality of Belgium under the guarantee of
the Powers, and notably of His Majesty the King of Prussia.

Belgium has always been faithful to her international obligations;
she has carried out her duties in a spirit of loyal impartiality and
she has left nothing undone to maintain and enforce respect for her
neutrality.

The attack upon her independence with which the German Government
threaten her constitutes a flagrant vi