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Berlin. The French Government of course emphatically promisedto respect Belgian neutrality. In Berlin, however, the Secretaryof State for Foreign Affairs had declared to the British Ambassa-dor that he would first have to consult the Emperor and theChancellor. "I gathered from what he said that he thought any"reply they might give could not but disclose a certain amount"of their plan of campaign in the event of war ensuing, and he"was therefore very doubtful whether they would return any"answer at all." (Blue Book No. 122.) This report of Goschen 'shas left Berlin in the late evening of July 31 st , being receivedat the Foreign Office on August 1 st , according to an entry inthe Blue Book.

The English echo followed promptly. Already the nextnumber (123) of the Blue Book contains a communication fromGrey to Goschen of August 1 st , saying that Grey told PrinceLichnowsky that the reply of the German Government with regardto the neutrality of Belgium was "a matter of very great regret"because the neutrality of Belgium "affected feeling in thiscountry". If Germany could see her way to reply as France had replied it would materially contribute to relieve anxiety andtension in England. On the other hand, if there were a violationof the neutrality of Belgium by one combatant while the otherrespected it, it would be extremely difficult to restrain publicfeeling in England. Prince Lichnowsky presented the alternativewhether, if Germany gave a promise to respect Belgian neu-trality, England would engage to remain neutral. Grey answeredevasively, declaring that the English Government's hands werestill free and that they were considering what their attitude shouldbe. All he could say was that their attitude would be determinedlargely by public opinion in England to which the neutrality ofBelgium very strongly appealed. But he did not think that Eng-land could give a promise of neutrality on that condition alone."Prince Lichnowsky even suggested that the integrity of France and"her colonies might be guaranteed." But to all of this Grey had butone reply: "I said that I felt obliged to refuse definitely"any promise to remain neutral on similar terms, and"I could only say that we must keep our hands free."