y French aviators, who
according to his statement "had come from Belgium." I
answered that I had not the slightest information as to the
facts to which he attached so much importance and the
improbability of which seemed to me obvious; on my part I
asked him if he had read the note which I had addressed to
him with regard to the invasion of our territory by
detachments of the German army. As the Secretary of State
said that he had not yet read this note I explained its
contents to him. I called his attention to the act committed
by the officer commanding one of the detachments who had
advanced to the French village of Joncherey, ten kilometers
within our frontier, and had blown out the brains of a
French soldier whom he had met there. After having given my
opinion of this act I added:

"You will admit that under no circumstances could there be
any comparison between this and the flight of an aeroplane
over foreign territory carried out by private persons
animated by that spirit of individual courage by which
aviators are distinguished.

"An act of aggression committed on the territory of a
neighbor by detachments of regular troops commanded by
officers assumes an importance of quite a different nature."

Herr von Jagow explained to me that he had no knowledge of
the facts of which I was speaking to him, and he added that
it was difficult for events of this kind not to take place
when two armies filled with the feelings which animated our
troops found themselves face to face on either side of the
frontier.

At this moment the crowds which thronged the Pariser Platz
in front of the Embassy and whom we could see through the
window of my study, which was half open, uttered shouts
against France. I asked the Secretary of State when all this
would come to an end.

"The Government has not yet come to a decision," Herr von
Jagow answered. "It is probable that Herr von Schoen will
receive orders today to ask for his passports and then you
will receive yours." The Secretary of State assured me that
I need not have any anxiety with regard to my departure, and
that all the proprieties would be observed with regard to me
as well as my staff. We were not to see one another any more
and we took leave of one another after an