Germany’s Passage
through Belgium
The German Request for Free Passage through Belgium
Reprinted from the World War I Document Archive,
available online at http://www.lib.byu.edu/~rdh/
wwi/1914/germpassbelg.html
Belgium’s Response to the Request for Passage
Reprinted from the World War I Document Archive,
available online at http://www.lib.byu.edu/~rdh/
wwi/1914/belgsayno.html
A
s soon as Germany decided to go to war against Russia and
France, it set into motion war plans that had been prepared well in advance. The German war plan was known as the
Schlieffen plan, named after Count Alfred von Schlieffen
(1833–1913), who was chief of the German general staff from
1891 to 1905. Schlieffen predicted that Germany would one
day be involved in a two-front war against France and Russia
(a front is an area of contact between opposing forces in battle). The Schlieffen plan offered a way for the Germans to win
such a war by first defeating the French and then turning their
attention to the Russians.
“If this hope is
disappointed, the
Belgian Government
are firmly resolved to
repel, by all the means
in their power, every
attack upon their rights.”
From Belgium’s Response to
the Request for Passage
In the first stage of the Schlieffen plan, Germany
hoped to draw the French forces into the Alsace-Lorraine
region of Germany (the region had once belonged to France).
As the French committed themselves to battle in this region,
the main German force would cross Luxembourg and Belgium and begin entering France all along its northeastern
border. By sweeping southward and westward, the Germans
would then quickly capture Paris (the capital of France), cut
off French supply lines, and encircle the entire French army.
71
German army officers post a
decree of war on August 1,
1914. (Corbis Corporation.
Reproduced by permission.)
Once they had defeated the French army, the Germans would
speed back across Germany on its well-developed rail system
and defeat the Russians, who might not yet be organized
enough to do battle.
There was one problem with the Schlieffen plan: It
required that Germany first cross Belgium, a neutral country
that wanted no part of a major European war. Germany could
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World War I: Primary Sources
not simply invade and conquer Belgium without creating negative feelings in other countries. More importantly, Germany
did not want England to become involved in the war; yet the
Germans knew that England would not stand by and do nothing if Germany invaded Belgium. International law required
combatants to respect the rights of neutral countries. In order
to create the appearance that they were behaving in accordance with the law, German diplomats made a formal request
to enter Belgium. That request, reprinted below, was delivered
to Belgian minister for foreign affairs M. Davignon by the German ambassador at Brussels, Herr von Below Saleske, on
August 2, 1914. Davignon delivered Belgium’s reply, also
reprinted below, on the following day.
Things to remember while reading the
exchange between German and Belgian
diplomats regarding German entry
into Belgium:
• Germany’s note to Belgium is an excellent example of how
diplomatic language can be used to disguise an unprovoked attack. Germany knew very well that Belgium had
to refuse the request to open the country’s borders to a
conquering army.
• Germany invented the story of a planned French invasion
in order to give the Belgians a face-saving reason to accept
Germany’s invasion. Historians know of no plans on the
part of France to invade Belgium. Does knowing this
change the way you read the German request?
• Belgian diplomats, who knew very well what Germany was
up to, wisely pointed out that Germany was about to take
actions that were morally wrong and illegal.
• By August 2, the day the German note was delivered to Belgium, German troops were already lined up along Belgium’s border.
Documents of Diplomacy: Germany’s Passage through Belgium
73
German soldiers crossing
the Belgian countryside in
August 1914. (Archive Photos.
Reproduced by permission.)
The German Request for Free Passage
through Belgium
August 2, 1914
(Very Confidential)
RELIABLE information has been received by the German Government
to the effect that French forces intend to march on the line of the Meuse
[River] by Givet and Namur. This information leaves no doubt as to the
intention of France to march through Belgian territory against Germany.
The German Government cannot but fear that Belgium, in spite
of the utmost goodwill, will be unable, without assistance, to repel so
considerable a French invasion with sufficient prospect of success to
afford an adequate guarantee against danger to Germany. It is essen74
World War I: Primary Sources
tial for the self-defence of Germany that she should anticipate any
such hostile attack. The German Government would, however, feel
the deepest regret if Belgium regarded as an act of hostility against
herself the fact that the measures of Germany’s opponents force Germany, for her own protection, to enter Belgian territory.
In order to exclude any possibility of misunderstanding, the German Government make the following declaration: —
1. Germany has in view no act of hostility against Belgium. In the
event of Belgium being prepared in the coming war to maintain an
attitude of friendly neutrality towards Germany, the German Government bind them selves, at the conclusion of peace, to guarantee the
possessions and independence of the Belgian Kingdom in full.
2. Germany undertakes, under the above-mentioned condition,
to evacuate Belgian territory on the conclusion of peace.
3. If Belgium adopts a friendly attitude, Germany is prepared, in
cooperation with the Belgian authorities, to purchase all necessaries
for her troops against a cash payment, and to pay an indemnity
for any damage that may have been caused by German troops.
4. Should Belgium oppose the German troops, and in particular
should she throw difficulties in the way of their march by a resistance
of the fortresses on the Meuse, or by destroying railways, roads, tunnels, or other similar works, Germany will, to her regret, be compelled
to consider Belgium as an enemy.
In this event, Germany can undertake no obligations towards Belgium, but the eventual adjustment of the relations between the two
States must be left to the decision of arms.
The German Government, however, entertain the distinct hope
that this eventuality will not occur, and that the Belgian Government
will know how to take the necessary measures to prevent the occurrence of incidents such as those mentioned. In this case the friendly
ties which bind the two neighbouring States will grow stronger and
more enduring.
Belgium’s Response to the Request for Passage
3 August, 1914
. . .This note [asking free passage] has made a deep and painful
impression upon the Belgian Government. The intentions attributed
to France by Germany are in contradiction to the formal declarations
Documents of Diplomacy: Germany’s Passage through Belgium
The German Government
bind them selves . . . to
guarantee the possessions
and independence of the
Belgian Kingdom in full:
Germany is saying that, as
long as Belgium acts in a
friendly manner toward
Germany, Germany promises
to make up for any Belgian
property destroyed by
Germany and respect
Belgium’s independence after
the war. That is, Germany’s
occupation of Belgian territory
would only be temporary.
To purchase all necessaries
for her troops . . . and to
pay an indemnity for any
damage that may have been
caused by German troops:
Germany is offering to pay
cash for any supplies it needs
for its troops and to pay in
advance for any damage
those troops may cause.
Decision of arms: This means
that the winner(s) of the war
will determine relations
between Germany and
Belgium.
75
made to us on August 1, in the name of the French Government.
Moreover, if, contrary to our expectation, Belgian neutrality should be
violated by France, Belgium intends to fulfil her international obligations and the Belgian army would offer the most vigorous resistance
to the invader. The treaties of 1839, confirmed by the treaties of
1870, vouch for the independence and neutrality of Belgium under
the guarantee of the Powers, and notably of the Government of His
Majesty the King of Prussia.
Belgium has always been faithful to her international obligations,
she has carried out her duties in a spirit of loyal impartiality, and she has
left nothing undone to maintain and enforce respect for her neutrality.
Treaties of 1839 . . . treaties
of 1870: These treaties
between European powers
guaranteed the independence
of Belgium, which had been
created in 1831.
Powers: The leading powers
of Europe: France, Germany,
England, and AustriaHungary.
His Majesty the King of
Prussia. The formal title of
Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm II.
Flagrant: Open and blatant.
The attack upon her independence with which the German Government threaten her constitutes a flagrant violation of international
law. No strategic interest justifies such a violation of law.
The Belgian Government, if they were to accept the proposals
submitted to them, would sacrifice the honour of the nation and
betray their duty towards Europe.
Conscious of the part which Belgium has played for more than
eighty years in the civilisation of the world, they refuse to believe that
the independence of Belgium can only be preserved at the price of the
violation of her neutrality.
If this hope is disappointed, the Belgian Government are firmly
resolved to repel, by all the means in their power, every attack upon
their rights.
What happened next . . .
Germany declared war on Belgium on August 4 and
almost simultaneously attacked the Belgian fortress town of
Liège. The Belgian army, commanded by King Albert I
(1875–1934), was willing to fight, but they had never planned
to counter an army as strong as Germany’s. From a string of
solidly built forts surrounding Liège, the Belgians fought off
the German army for over a week. After August 12, however,
the Germans overran the forts and pushed deeper into the
country. The Germans moved quickly across Belgium, facing
scattered resistance from the Belgian army. By the end of the
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World War I: Primary Sources
third week in August, German forces were approaching the
French border and preparing to invade France.
The German attack on Belgium had convinced England that she must join with France and Russia to repel the
Central Powers. England declared war on Germany on the
very day that Germany entered Belgium, and British forces
proved essential to slowing and finally stopping the advance
of the German armies in the fall of 1914. By October 1914,
German and Allied forces had deadlocked in a long line of
trenches that ran across France and Belgium (this area was
called the Western Front). Both sides committed themselves to
winning a war that would soon come to seem unwinnable.
Did you know . . .
• When World War I began, most countries believed that it
would be a short war, fought in a few decisive battles and
decided by the fall of 1914. But modern weaponry and
improved defensive tactics—especially trench warfare—
Documents of Diplomacy: Germany’s Passage through Belgium
German soldiers attempting
to sleep in their trench
along the Western Front as
two others stand guard.
(Archive Photos. Reproduced
by permission.)
Central Powers: The alliance
of Germany and AustroHungary, which later grew to
include the Ottoman Empire
and several other countries.
77
turned the war into a battle of endurance that lasted over
four years.
• Belgium had a tiny and poorly armed army. With just
117,000 men in uniform, the Belgian army was no match
for Germany’s 4,500,000 troops.
For More Information
Books
Clare, John D., ed. First World War. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace, 1995.
Kent, Zachary. World War I: “The War to End Wars.” Hillside, NJ: Enslow,
1994.
Ross, Stewart. Causes and Consequences of World War I. Austin, TX: Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 1998.
Sommerville, Donald. World War I: History of Warfare. Austin, TX: Raintree
Steck-Vaughn, 1999.
Stevenson, D. The First World War and International Politics. New York:
Oxford University Press, 1988.
Stokesbury, James L. A Short History of World War I. New York: William
Morrow, 1981.
Web sites
World War I Document Archive. [Online] http://www.lib.byu.edu/~rdh/
wwi/ (accessed February 2001).
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World War I: Primary Sources