The British, French, and Russian Governments mutually engage not to conclude peace separately during the present war. The three Governments agree that when terms of peace come to be discussed no one of the Allies will demand conditions of peace without the previous agreement of each of the other Allies. In faith whereof, the undersigned have signed this Declaration and have affixed thereto their seals.
Done in London in triplicate this 5th day of September, 1914.
(L.S.) E. GREY
(His Britannic Majesty's Secretary
of State for Foreign
Affairs).
(L.S.) PAUL CAMBON
(Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the French
Republic).
(L.S.) BENCKENDORFF
(Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of His Majesty
the Emperor of Russia).
Paris, September 4th.
The adherence of Japan to this declaration was subsequently notified. Belgium could not participate in it for technical reasons, her neutrality being "guaranteed."
On the same day the French Minister for Foreign Affairs addressed a strongly-worded communication to the Powers with reference to the German atrocities in Belgium and France. This communication was as follows:
The numerous violations of international law by the Germans have led the Government of the Republic to address to the representatives of the Powers in Paris memoranda which are intended to set forth indisputable facts. These are selected merely as examples, and we could not bring to the notice of the Powers every act contrary to the laws of war of which we receive accounts day by day. This first series of memoranda will suffice to establish the two following classes of facts:
First, the armies and Government of Germany profess the deepest scorn for international law and for treaties solemnly recognised by Germany.
Secondly, the devastations of the invaded countries (incendiarism, murder, pillage, and atrocities) appear to be systematically pursued by order of the leaders, and are not due to acts of indiscipline.