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"If the German squadron should pass through"the Straits or go north in order to double the"British isles for the purpose of attacking the" French coast or the French navy, and to disturb"the French mercantile marine, the English "squadron would intervene in order to give its"entire protection to the French navy, so that"England and Germany would be in the state of"war."

("Dans le cas où l'escadre allemande franchirait ledétroit ou remonterait la Mer du Nord pour doubler lesîles britanniques dans le but d'attaquer les côtes françaisesou la marine de guerre française et d'inquiéter la marinemarchande française, l'escadre anglaise interviendrait pourprêter à la marine française son entière protection, ensorte que dès ce moment l'Angleterre et l'Allemagneseraient en état de guerre.") (Yellow Book No. 143.)

When first making this statement on August 2 nd , Sir EdwardGrey thought it advisable to give the following explanation: TheBritish Government had very important questions and mostdifficult issues to consider and they felt that they could not bindthemselves to declare war upon Germany if war broke out be-tween France and Germany tomorrow. But it was essential tothe French Government, whose fleet had long been concentratedin the Mediterranean, to know how to proceed, with their northerncoasts entirely undefended. The English Government thereforehad thought it necessary to give them this assurance. It did notbind England to go to war with Germany unless the German fleet took the action indicated. (Blue Book No. 148.)

This commentary shows to which extent the arrangementsbetween France and England , though formally not binding, werein fact material obligations. On nothing more than the „mere"plan of operation agreed upon between the English and French military and naval authorities, which was in no way to hamperthe liberty of action of both Governments in the event of war,the French fleet had been concentrated in the Mediterranean. But