The Truth About German Atrocities / Founded on the Report of the Committee on Alleged German Outrages

The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Truth About German Atrocities, by Anonymous
Founded on the Report of the Committee on Alleged German Outrages 1915 Parliamentary Recruiting Committee, 12, Downing Street, London, S.W.
(1365) W. 5601/507 250M 7/15 H. C. & L., Ltd.

THE TRUTH ABOUT GERMAN ATROCITIES.
Prussia joined in a Guarantee of Belgian Neutrality.
The neutrality of Belgium was guaranteed by a treaty signed in 1839 to which France, Prussia and Great Britain were parties.
Recent German Assurances.
In 1913 the German Secretary of State, at a meeting of a Budget Committee of the Reichstag, declared that Belgian neutrality is provided for by international conventions, and Germany is determined to respect those conventions.
On July 31st, 1914, when the danger of war between Germany and France seemed imminent, Herr von Below, the German Minister in Brussels, being interrogated by the Belgian Foreign Department, replied that he knew of the assurances given by the German Chancellor in 1911 (that Germany had no intention of violating Belgian neutrality) and that he was certain that the sentiments expressed at that time had not changed.
Passage through Belgium Demanded by Germany.
Nevertheless, on August 2nd, the same Minister presented a note to the Belgian Government demanding a passage through Belgium for the German Army on pain of an instant declaration of war.