GREY BOOK REVELATIONS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 3 September 1915, Page 5

GREY BOOK REVELATIONS.

LONDON, Seßt. 2. A Belgian Grey Book publishes a series of documents > showing that Qer-1 1 Vnah^ ahd Austria plotted" the wa?, foreseeing a European conflagration, yet strongly hoping that Britain would t remain neutral. M. Beyens, Jhe Belgian Minister at Berlin, learning on August S4th\ of the intention to violate Belgian neutrality, which was coupled with the hope that no resistance would be offered, asked Count yon Jagow if h& had no reply. His only apology was:' "It is a question of life, and death for 'Germany." M. Beyens remarked that the whole of Belgium approved of the reply of King Albert's Government, adding: "You must recognise that any other reply is impossible."

Count yon Jagow replied: "I recognise it. As a private person I^understand your reply, but as Secretary of War I have no opinion to offer." M. Beyens replied: "A nation is like a private person, and cannot live without honor. Europe will judge. Moreover, you will have against you England, the faithful guarantor of our neutrality." . •

Count yon Jagow shrugged his shoulders, signifying that either the idea was impossible or else theMie was cast and they could not draw back.

. M. Beyens? despatches showed that the prevalent feeling in Berlin was that France had insufficient heavy guns, while Count Krupp yon Boh Jen had described Russia's artillery as. far from good; or complete. Hence the war-makers had absolute confidence in a swift and easy victory.-