Chapter 4 Chapter 3 Europe Falls into the Vortex of War

The assassination of Ferdinand knocked down the first domino leading to war in Europe.The hardliners in the Austro-Hungarian government have gained the upper hand. Foreign Minister Berchtold believes that the time has come for a general liquidation with Serbia, and he must put forward the most demanding demands to the other side, making them unacceptable and rejecting them. It was occupied and later annexed at the right time, just like the two provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.But if Austria-Hungary wants to do this, it is bound to be interfered by Russia, so it must first get the support of its ally Germany. On July 5, 1914, Kaiser Wilhelm II received a letter from the Emperor of Austria-Hungary. The Austrian Emperor stated that he wanted to cancel Serbia as a political factor. The Kaiser’s answer was: In any case, Germany will faithfully stand On the side of its allies, Germany fulfilled its obligations, and Germany did not intervene in how Austria-Hungary negotiated with Serbia.

This attitude of Germany was significant because, as later historians pointed out, Germany handed over its blank check to Austria-Hungary to use it as it pleased without restraint.This played a decisive role in Austria-Hungary's tough and uncompromising attitude in dealing with the crisis.The reason why Germany did this is nothing more than two explanations: either it wanted to use Austria-Hungary to provoke a war, or it was a diplomatic error.But objectively, it did play a role in encouraging Austria-Hungary.Originally there were disagreements within Austria-Hungary, and Hungarian Prime Minister Tiszé tried his best to oppose making excessive demands on Serbia and threatened to resign.He believes that in the resulting war, even if Austria-Hungary wins, at best it will only increase the number of Yugoslavs, and the power of the Hungarians will be weakened.But Serbian newspaper opinion about the killer Princip being a Hungarian count and similar reports so irritated Tisze that he instead agreed to issue an ultimatum in the strongest possible terms.In this way, the contradictions within Austria-Hungary were eliminated, and the attitude towards Serbia was unified.

German Foreign Minister Accor was warned by the German ambassador to the UK that Germany should not blindly follow Austria-Hungary, or it would be dragged into the Balkan dispute by Austria-Hungary and unable to extricate itself, but Accor replied helplessly: Germany now has only such an ally. . On July 23, 1914, Austria-Hungary issued a strongly worded and demanding ultimatum to Serbia.Its content is as follows: 1. All publications that incite hatred and contempt for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as well as publications that tend to undermine its territorial integrity, shall be prohibited;

2. The "Defense Union" group should be immediately disbanded and all its propaganda tools confiscated, and the same should be done with other groups engaged in propaganda against Austria-Hungary and their chapters in Serbia.The Royal Government shall take necessary measures to prevent the disbanded groups from continuing their activities under other names and in other ways; 3. Serbian schools should be immediately purged of all teachers who support and may support anti-Austro-Hungarian propaganda; 4. All officials in the military and general administrative agencies who have committed crimes against the Austro-Hungarian Empire shall be purged. The Austro-Hungarian Government reserves the right to request the Royal Government to provide the names and actions of these persons;

5. Shall agree to accept assistance from representatives of the Austro-Hungarian Government in suppressing in Serbia all subversive movements violating the territorial integrity of the Austro-Hungarian Empire; 6. All accomplices in the "June 28 assassination case" in Serbia should be investigated immediately, and representatives appointed by the Austro-Hungarian government should participate in the relevant investigation work; 7. Army Major Foja Donkocicki and Serbian civil servant Milan Siganovic who are involved in the preliminary investigation of the "Sarajevo incident" should be arrested as soon as possible;

8. Effective measures should be taken to prevent the Serbian authorities from participating in the illegal transfer of weapons and explosives; the border guards in Shabaz and Rosnika should be expelled and severely punished, because they allowed the Sarajevo murderers to cross the border and were guilty of assisting the murderers; ⒐About the high-ranking Serbian officials who are still in Serbia after the "June 28 assassination" and wantonly expressed hostile remarks against the Austria-Hungary Empire during public visits, they should explain to the Austria-Hungary government; ⒑Finally, the implementation methods of the above-mentioned measures should be notified to the Austro-Hungarian government as soon as possible.

The Austro-Hungarian government is waiting for a reply from the Royal Government until 6:00 pm on Saturday, the 25th of this month at the latest... The Austro-Hungarian ambassador to Serbia, Baron Gisl, personally handed over the ultimatum to Prime Minister Basic of Serbia, with a 48-hour deadline for the declaration.The next day, July 24, 1914, the Regent of Serbia called the Russian Tsar: The Serbian government is willing to accept any advice Russia is willing to give.This means that Serbia has entrusted the fate of its own country to the Russians.Basic told the leaders of all political parties in the country that if Russia does not support it, we can only accept an ultimatum.Russia's expansion in the Far East and Persia has been hindered, and the focus of expansion has returned to the Balkans. Russian Foreign Minister Shazonov warned against Austria-Hungary's request, declaring: Austria-Hungary's investigation in Belgrade is a violation of the sovereignty of an independent country Russia will never tolerate aggression.At this time, French President Poincaré was visiting Petersburg, the capital of Russia. He said that Russia should take a firm stand on this matter, and France would definitely give Russia full support in this matter.At the same time, British Foreign Secretary Gray told the Russian ambassador to Britain that he hoped that if Austria-Hungary mobilized Serbia, Russia would immediately mobilize Austria-Hungary; Russia's mobilization should not be used as an excuse for its own mobilization, but should be seen as a move to ease the pressure on Serbia from Austria-Hungary.The attitude of France and Britain made the Russians more courageous. After a long discussion in the cabinet, they finally decided to support Serbia and use force if necessary. As soon as Austria-Hungary starts to attack Serbia, Russia will immediately carry out general mobilization. At present, it will implement partial mobilization . On July 24, the Russian government secretly ordered the mobilization of the four military districts of Kyiv, Odessa, Moscow, and Kazan, as well as the Black Sea Fleet and the Baltic Fleet.

On July 25, with 6 hours left on the ultimatum deadline, Russia’s decision reached the long-awaited Serbian capital via telegram, as if giving a shot of heart to a dying patient, and the atmosphere in Belgrade changed. The Regent of Serbia immediately announced the general mobilization and ordered the capital to be moved to Nihi.At the same time, the government drew up a carefully worded reply to the Austro-Hungarian government, which was handed to Jisr by Bašic at 5 minutes to 6 pm that day. The Prime Minister explained: "We have accepted part of the request, and the rest Yes, we can only pin our hopes on the chivalrous spirit of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.” On the way back to the mansion, Bašic received an ultimatum from Ambassador Gisr, claiming that the Serbian government’s answer could not satisfy Austria-Hungary. Satisfied with the Empire, he himself must leave Belgrade, and declares: When Your Excellency receives this ultimatum, the severance of diplomatic relations between the two countries has become a fact.At 7:30 p.m., the ambassador left Belgrade by train, breaking diplomatic ties in the latest record speed.On this night, the Austro-Hungarian government ordered the mobilization of 21 divisions ready to deal with Serbia (since Serbia had already mobilized 15 divisions on July 24).

In its reply to the Austro-Hungarian ambassador, the Serbian government was under pressure and endured humiliation. Except for the request that "representatives appointed by the Austro-Hungarian government may participate in the investigation work related to it", all other requirements were accepted.Although Austria-Hungary's ultimatum was demanding, it was in line with the practice of international law. Even if Austria-Hungary requested representatives to participate in the investigation, it was not unacceptable from the perspective of international law.In order to suppress the anarchists in Russia, Russia had a police agency in Paris, and the same agency existed in Berlin in the past.When someone attempted to assassinate Prince Mitchell of Serbia in the territory of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Austro-Hungarian government also allowed the Serbian government to send personnel to participate in the investigation.According to later historians’ speculation, the reason why the Serbian government considered this article unacceptable was that the assassination of Ferdinand had indeed an inescapable relationship with government personnel. Although the government did not initiate the assassination, if the Austro-Hungarians were allowed to participate I am afraid that the other party will follow the clues, involve relevant government officials, and then accuse the government of instigating the murder. At that time, the Serbian government will be in an extremely passive predicament.

On July 26, British Foreign Secretary Gray suggested that Germany, France, Britain, and Italy should mediate to resolve the dispute between Austria and Serbia.France immediately objected, fearing that this would weaken the unity of the Entente.On the same day, Italian Prime Minister Giolitti also issued an appeal: suggesting that the Serbian government accept all the requirements of the Austro-Hungarian ultimatum as a "responsibility to Europe".Except for Germany, which expressed its support, other countries were very indifferent to this.On the day when Gray made the proposal, the British Admiralty, under the repeated urging of the energetic Admiralty Churchill, issued an announcement: ordering the Royal Navy fleet, which was about to end its exercise mission, not to be disbanded, and to continue to maintain its "combat position".This is the result of discussions between Churchill and Gray, and it is hoped that the announcement of this news can act as a sobering agent for the starting point of Berlin and Vienna.

On July 27, Gray once again suggested that the ambassadors of Germany, France, and Italy in London and the British representative to arbitrate the dispute between Austria and Serbia, but was rejected by Germany. Germany believed that the three countries would not sympathize with Austria-Hungary.At this moment, Austria-Hungary could not wait for the war, and Berchtold's biggest wish was to take advantage of the assassination to fish in troubled waters, so he insisted on declaring war to make mediation more difficult.The German ambassador to Austria, Tsar Hickey, secretly agreed.At this time, a news came: Serbian troops shot at the Austrian troop transport in the Danube (this news was proved to be purely false the next day).Stimulated by this news, the Austrian emperor signed the declaration of war.At this time, German Prime Minister Batemann has suggested that Austria-Hungary consider the British mediation proposal, but Berchtold said that it is too late and we have decided to declare war. On July 28, Austria-Hungary officially declared war on Serbia.On the same day, the French foreign minister made a formal statement to the Russian ambassador in France: France has decided to act in concert with Russia. Maybe it was a trick to keep in mind that Germany gave the world the impression of an outsider in the Balkan disputes. Maybe the Kaiser, as people described at the time, was a man who kept trying on more than a thousand sets of various clothes and covered his fingers with all kinds of innocent people. The emperor with a golden ring, who likes hunting on horseback and has "wanderlust", after the assassination of Ferdinand, the Kaiser actually went to the mountains and rivers of Norway for a full three-week vacation, and returned on July 27. Berlin.In short, it was not until July 28, the morning when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, that William II had just seen Serbia's reply to Austria-Hungary's ultimatum.The Kaiser was quite satisfied with the reply, and wrote on the document: "In only 48 hours, it is a remarkable achievement to be able to provide such a reply. It exceeded our expectations. For Vienna, this is a It was a great spiritual victory. And at the same time, it also eliminated all reasons for war. Gisir should really stay in Belgrade quietly, and I will never issue a mobilization order based on this.” William II’s volatile attitude It's inscrutable, but after really understanding his character that often swings between two extremes, it's not surprising.As commented by later generations: he is not so much an authentic Prussian, but rather a cowardly man with an eye for power, a fierce and introverted man with the aura of a tiger and the courage of a wild cat.He never really wanted to go to war, what he wanted was more power, more prestige, and especially more authority in international affairs for Germany, and he only wanted to intimidate other countries instead of attacking them. Follow up the picture.He wants to be rewarded as a fighter without fighting.So whenever the moment of war came, as in Algeciras and Argadir, he cringed.This time, too, he handed over a blank check to Vienna unconditionally, making the situation unmanageable. When the Kaiser wanted to stop the war, the confident Vienna government had already started the war. Austria-Hungary's declaration of war on Serbia caused panic in Russia. On the morning of July 29, Tsar Nicholas II approved partial mobilization of Austria.In the afternoon, when the Austro-Hungarian ambassador met with Russian Foreign Minister Shazonov, he said: It is impossible for Austria-Hungary to discuss the content of the ultimatum to Serbia, but they promised that they would not claim Serbia's territory.Shazonov pointed out: The problem lies not only in Serbia's territorial integrity, but also in its sovereignty. Austria-Hungary's request has violated Serbia's sovereignty. If it is accepted, it will definitely change the current balance of power in the Balkans. This is something Russia cannot tolerate. Yes, for which Russia will be forced to implement partial mobilization.The peaceful conversation between the two was interrupted by a phone call. It turned out that the Austro-Hungarian army had begun shelling Belgrade.After Shazonov put down the microphone, his attitude changed dramatically. He told the Austro-Hungarian ambassador that the Austro-Hungarian negotiations were just to delay the time. The Austrian army was bombarding an undefended city. Under such circumstances, the talks were meaningless. .An hour later, the German ambassador to Russia, Putaris, asked to meet. The ambassador told Shazonov that if Russia continued to mobilize further, Germany would be forced to mobilize, and a European war would be inevitable.Of course, the ambassador explained that this was by no means a threat, but a friendly advice.The Russian Foreign Minister couldn't stand this "advice", and he replied that he now finally understands why Austria-Hungary's attitude is so tough.Half an hour after the German ambassador left, Shazonov held talks with Chief of General Staff Yarushikevich and Minister of War Sukhomlinov. Shazonov believed that since July 25, the war had become a A fait accompli, since the partial mobilization of Austria-Hungary will inevitably lead to the mobilization of Germany, making the war unavoidable, then simply take two steps at a time, abandon the partial mobilization, and start the general mobilization directly.Because technically, the partial mobilization of the Russian army against Austria-Hungary has to be drawn from the Russian-German border area. Once Germany is involved, the general mobilization will be disturbed by the previous partial mobilization, which will be delayed by 8 to 10 days compared to the direct general mobilization. Time, therefore, the wiser way is not to waste time and order a general mobilization immediately. On the afternoon of July 29, Tsar Nicholas II approved the general mobilization.The Tsar did not yet know that general mobilization meant war. At 9:40 in the afternoon, the Tsar, who had just approved the general mobilization order, received a telegram from his cousin Kaiser Wilhelm II, telling him that he was working hard and that taking military measures would only make the situation worse.The Tsar asked Friedrich, the head of the guard beside him, what to do, and the experienced head of the guard said frankly: The meaning of general mobilization is war!The Tsar could not help exclaiming: I am not responsible for such a terrible massacre!He immediately called the Chief of General Staff to order to change the general mobilization to partial mobilization. On July 30, the fate of Europe seemed to rest in the hands of Austria-Hungary once again.In the morning, German Ambassador to Austria Czershki read Batemann's call to Berchtold twice.Bateman pointed out in the call: If there is a war, Germany and Austria will fight against the four major powers.He urged Austria-Hungary to accept the conciliation on the honorable terms proposed, and concluded by saying: otherwise the responsibility would be exceedingly grave.Berchtold listened silently, and he was relieved when he found that "If the mediation proposal is not accepted, Germany will no longer be restricted by the alliance between the two countries" in the telegram.After discussing with the Austrian Emperor and Chief of Staff Konrad, Berchtold decided against accepting mediation and refused to negotiate with Russia on the ultimatum to Serbia. Unsatisfied, they decided to politely decline German mediation efforts.At dusk, Bateman learned that Vienna had refused to negotiate with Russia on the issue of an ultimatum to Serbia. He immediately telegraphed Ambassador Czershiki: "It is a big mistake to refuse to exchange views with St. Petersburg, because it will obviously provoke Russia. Military intervention. Of course we are prepared to fulfill our alliance obligations, but we cannot allow Vienna to drag us into a world war without heeding advice, please discuss with Count Berchtold immediately and emphasize the extreme seriousness of the situation." However, he has never made it clear Proposed: If Austria-Hungary insists on going its own way, Germany will refuse to fulfill its alliance obligations.At this time, the Austro-Hungarian government has not yet officially responded. While the leaders of Germany and Austria were in a hurry, the Russian Foreign Minister Shazonov has also become an ant on the hot pot.His mind was completely occupied by Austria-Hungary's delay in time and the threat of German mobilization. He believed that since the war was inevitable, the Germans could not be allowed to seize the pre-war initiative in mobilization.After repeated pleas from him and the chief of the general staff Yarushikevich, at 4 pm on July 30, 1914, the tsar finally agreed to re-issue the general mobilization order.On the same day, France issued a call for caution.The French government sent a telegram to the ambassador to Russia Palaiolog, asking him to convey to the Russian government the following meaning: France will fulfill its obligations to the alliance, and at the same time advises Russia "not to take any immediate measures that will lead to Germany being completely or partially pretext to mobilize its army".But it is still unclear what influence the French telegram had on the Russian decision at the last minute.Some scholars in the West believe that he conveyed this warning too late, or only conveyed part of it, or did not convey it at all, because Palaiologe is known for his warlike behavior throughout this crisis. Suspicious, so the possibility of getting in the way is extremely high. On July 31, the official answer from Vienna to Berlin finally came. It stated that Austria-Hungary was not unwilling to consider reconciliation, but Russia must cancel its mobilization against Austria-Hungary and allow Austria-Hungary to continue its military operations against Serbia.At the same time, it said that it was still ready to continue negotiations with Petersburg, but it also decided to mobilize troops on the Russian border.At this time, however, the joystick of Europe's destiny was not in the hands of Vienna, but in the hands of Berlin. Germany's domestic and foreign policies are largely determined by the General Staff Headquarters, as a certain Westerner pointed out when analyzing the country and the General Staff Headquarters: "It is not so much the German General Staff Headquarters as it is the German General Staff Headquarters. As early as when France and Russia concluded the alliance, the German General Staff Headquarters was considering the issue of fighting on both sides of the east and west. After spending nearly 20 years of energy on the General Staff Headquarters, a meticulous and seamless "Schlieffen Plan" has been impressively deposited. In the safe at Staff Headquarters.It is a magic weapon of Germany, and once the war is imminent, the rise and fall of Germany depend on it. The strategic assumption on which the "Schlieffen Plan" is based is: once war breaks out and Germany has to fight on two fronts, it will rely on the rapid and efficient mobilization system and take advantage of the slow and inefficient Russian mobilization system to defeat the enemy first in the shortest possible time. France.Then turned around and headed back to the east to fight Russia.In other words, Germany will never wait for France and Russia to complete their mobilization before going to war with them. This is tantamount to waiting to die.In the timetable of the war, it had to deal with France before Russia completed its mobilization, so Germany's fate was hanging on the "time difference".Therefore, when the Russians began to carry out secret partial mobilization on July 24, the German General Staff was already anxious. By July 29, the General Staff formally issued a warning to Prime Minister Batemann: If Russia and France continue to prepare for war, Germany will gradually lose its leading position in mobilization. On July 30, the German Chief of Staff Moltke, who considered the issue from a purely military point of view, sent a telegram to the Austro-Hungarian Chief of Staff Kondra in private, despite the government’s diplomatic efforts to avoid war, urging him to “immediately Mobilize against Russia, Germany will mobilize", so that Berchtold asked: "Who gave the order, Moltke or Batemann?" Always take an uncompromising position.Moltke's pressure came from the news that Russia was about to mobilize, because it was reported that part of Russia's mobilization included the entire region of the empire except for three conscription areas, which faced the German front.The further implementation of general mobilization will include these three areas. If war is still unavoidable after a period of diplomatic efforts, Germany has completely lost its absolute advantage in mobilization, based on the "time difference" His strategic attempt to fight on two fronts and the "Slieffen Plan" all came to naught.Therefore, the military forces headed by Mao Qi continue to exert more and more pressure on the Prime Minister. Therefore, before July 30, it can be said that the German General Staff Headquarters, but after that day, it can be said that the German General Staff Headquarters Yes, because the country's domestic and foreign affairs have been completely influenced by the military's combat plan. On the morning of July 31, Germany had received news that Russia had issued a general mobilization order, so Bateman issued an ultimatum to Russia, demanding that Russia cancel the general mobilization order immediately, otherwise Germany would implement general mobilization, and the deadline for reply was 12 hours.At the same time, it was announced that Germany was in a "state of imminent danger of war" (that is, the preparation stage for mobilization). The German ambassador, Ptaris, handed the ultimatum to Shazonov at midnight, giving the Russian government until noon the next day, August 1, to reply.Bateman instructed the German ambassador based on legal principles that if Russia refused, he must deliver a declaration of war on the same day, because if he did not declare war on Russia, he could not declare war on France, and if he did not declare war on France, he could not send a request to Belgium. Dao's ultimatum (the core of the "Slieffen Plan" is to falsely go to Belgium and quickly defeat France in a roundabout surprise attack).Now, the Germans must clarify France's intentions, and while submitting an ultimatum to Russia, instruct the German ambassador to France, Baron von Schauen, to submit an ultimatum to the French government, demanding a reply within 18 hours: whether to remain neutral.If neutrality is maintained, the French fortresses of Tour and Verdun will be handed over to Germany as a guarantee of neutrality and will be returned after the war.This is tantamount to asking France to hand over the keys to its own gate.The "outrageousness" of Germany's ultimatum was so embarrassing even to its ambassador. Therefore, when Ambassador von Xiuen delivered the ultimatum, he did not put forward the fortress as a neutral collateral.But the French government deciphered the code of this instruction and knew it all.The reason why Germany is so "tyrannical" comes from this consideration: in case France pretends to agree to be neutral, and when Germany concentrates its forces in the east to fight against Russia, France declares war again, then Germany will be in an extremely passive state, so the words are useless , asking France to hand over two fortified areas as a show of sincerity. For France, the primary policy goal now is to make Britain fight side by side with itself. To do this, France can only play the role of the invaded. Therefore, the French government adopted an extraordinary policy on July 30. Measures, ordering all French troops on the German-French border between Switzerland and Luxembourg to withdraw 10 kilometers.From a military point of view, this is a risky move aimed at achieving political and diplomatic effects. At 2 o'clock in the morning on August 1, the Russian ambassador to France and former Russian foreign minister Isvolsky paid a worried visit to French President Poincaré. The ambassador seemed very sad and anxious.According to the Franco-Russian agreement of 1892: "If Germany or Austria attacks Russia with the support of Germany, France shall mobilize all its troops to attack Germany", and "If the Triple Alliance or any member of the Triple Alliance mobilizes its troops, France and As soon as Russia learns, without any prior agreement, the entire army of the two countries should be mobilized at once..." Now Russia has mobilized, but she is afraid that France will get cold feet and will not fulfill the covenant.The Russian ambassador asked what France was going to do.His fears were not unfounded. Although the terms of the Franco-Russian military alliance existed long ago, they were never revealed to Parliament.Russia is an autocratic system, and the tsar has absolute authority. In France, without the support of parliament, mobilization orders cannot be issued.Poincaré assured the Russian ambassador that a cabinet meeting would be convened in a few hours to give him an answer.At the same time, the military attache of the Russian embassy also appeared in the bedroom of the French Minister of the Army Messimy and asked the same question.While the Russians were forcing the French leaders to express their views, Joffre, the commander-in-chief of the French army, also urged the cabinet to issue a mobilization order. He warned that every 24 hours of delay would be equivalent to losing 15-20 kilometers of land. As commander-in-chief, he would refuse this responsibility.At 11:00 noon, German Ambassador von Schauen had been waiting at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 2 hours, and he was waiting for the last reply from the French government.When French Prime Minister Viviani arrived, the ambassador said gloomily: "My question is too naive, because we know that you have a treaty of alliance." "That goes without saying," echoed the French Prime Minister. , he has negotiated with President Poincaré the answer to the German ultimatum.He said to the German ambassador: "France will act in its own interests." As soon as the German ambassador left, the Russian ambassador rushed in, bringing news that Germany had issued an ultimatum to Russia.Viviani returned to the cabinet, which finally agreed to issue a general mobilization order.Now, Russia and France have begun to accept the German challenge. At noon on August 1, the deadline for Germany's ultimatum to Russia had expired, but Russia did not reply, which seemed to indicate that Russia dismissed it.Within an hour, a telegram was sent to St. Petersburg declaring war on Russia.At 5 o'clock in the afternoon, Germany announced the general mobilization.Putaris, who was anxious at the embassy, ​​had been waiting for the Russians' reply, and had not heard from the noon time limit. At 6 p.m., he received a telegram from Berlin asking him to submit a declaration of war to Russia at 5 p.m.He hurried to the Russian Foreign Ministry and asked Shazonov three times as usual whether Russia would accept Germany's ultimatum, and the latter also answered "no" three times.The German ambassador handed over the declaration of war with trembling hands, saying: "This is the end of my mission." Shazonov shouted: "The whole world will curse you!" The German ambassador replied: "We are defending our honor. ""This has nothing to do with your honor, God has its own justice." The Russian Foreign Minister retorted.Ambassador De murmured to himself: "God has its own justice, and God has its own justice." The two hugged and kissed each other and parted.It was a serious diplomatic mistake that the Germans rigidly adhered to legal principles and declared war first, which provided an excuse for Italy, which had already had ulterior motives, to not fulfill the tripartite alliance, because Italy was only obliged to participate in the war of the Allies in the war of defense. Just a few minutes after the German general mobilization order was issued, Lichnowski, the German ambassador to Britain, sent a telegram from London, which disrupted the entire mobilization plan at once.At noon that day, Gray talked to him about the British proposal. According to Lichnowski's understanding, this proposal meant: "If we do not attack France, Britain will remain neutral, and France will also remain neutral."William II was overjoyed, because Germany had to fight on two fronts according to the established plan, and now the army is moving to the French border. If France adopts neutrality, Germany can safely fight against Russia.After the Kaiser read the telegram to Chief of Staff Xiao Maoqi, he said triumphantly: "Now we can only fight against Russia. Let's simply march eastward with the whole army!" Xiao Maoqi heard the words like five thunderbolts, and he believed that the troops deployed on the Western Front The 180-degree U-turn of a million troops to the east is like a dream come true.He advised the Kaiser: "Your Majesty, this is impossible. The mobilization and deployment of millions of troops cannot be done in a hurry. If His Majesty insists on bringing the entire army to the Eastern Front, then this army will not Instead of a ready army, there will be a mob with guns and no supplies. Arranging their supplies alone will take a whole year of arduous and complicated labor to complete... Once everything is decided, it cannot be changed. "The Kaiser said helplessly: "Your uncle will definitely give me a different answer." Although Xiao Moqi's self-esteem was hurt, he firmly believed that since Germany and France have been mobilized, it is impossible to maintain peace between the two countries. of.In the end, Mao Qi finally persuaded the Kaiser not to change the mobilization plan.Bateman and Jago then drafted a telegram to Britain apologizing for the irreversible movement of German troops to the French border.However, it is guaranteed that they will not cross the border before 7:00 on August 3.Yago also hastily sent a telegram to the ambassador in Paris, asking him to "hold down France for the time being."At the same time, the Kaiser also sent a private telegram to King George saying, "It is too late to withdraw the mobilization order due to technical reasons. If France expresses neutrality to me, I will rein in the horse and not attack France, and send the army to It can be used elsewhere, but the UK must guarantee it with the signatures of the navy and army. I hope that France will not be nervous." Regardless of the death of Moltke, the Kaiser revoked the order to enter Luxembourg at 7 o'clock that night and seize the railway operation center.Near midnight, when little Moltke was in great distress over whether to sign the order, Lichnowski, the ambassador in London, sent another telegram. It turned out that after further conversations with Gray, he found that he had sent Gray to the office in the morning. The meaning is wrong.What Gray meant was that if Germany promised to remain neutral to France and Russia, that is, not to wage war on either country, and to wait for the results of all parties' efforts to resolve the Serbian incident, Britain would promise to keep France neutral.This misunderstanding stems from Gray's always simple and vague language expression.During his eight years in diplomacy, Gray had honed his ability to speak with as little words as possible, so that the German ambassador, dazed by the impending disaster, misunderstood his words at a crucial moment.Now, he called in frustration and said: "Britain's proposal is basically hopeless." After reading the telegram, the Kaiser summoned Moltke in the bedroom and said: "Now you can do whatever you want." After finishing speaking, he went to sleep. On August 2, a telegram ordering the ambassador to Belgium Herr von Bello to deliver an ultimatum to the Belgian government at 8 o'clock that night was sent from Berlin to Brussels. According to the "Slieffen Plan", the first step to solve France is to quickly pass through Belgium, so as to achieve the effect of a surprise attack.The false route of the army is already an inseparable link in the strategic chain of the Germans to fight the "time difference" and fight against Russia and France on two fronts.As early as July 26, two days before Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, and four days before Austria-Hungary and Russia began to mobilize, the little Mao Qi personally drafted the draft of the ultimatum to Belgium, and then approved by the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was revised by Merman and Secretary of State Sturm, and revised by Prime Minister Bateman and Foreign Minister Jago before finalizing the draft. The envoy sent by the seal sent to the embassy in Belgium on July 29, accompanied by an order: "Not hereby Do not open and read." On August 1, Belgian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Bassompierre tested whether von Belleau would like to issue a statement of Germany's guarantee of Belgium's neutrality. The latter said that he did not authorize Berlin to do so. However, he comforted his guests and said: "Belgium has nothing to fear from Germany." At 6 o'clock in the morning on August 2, Belgian Foreign Minister Davignon was awakened in his sleep by the news of Germany's invasion of Luxembourg, and he immediately summoned the German ambassador. Asked for an explanation, the latter used a metaphor that was so brilliant that it was widely circulated: "Your neighbor's roof may catch fire, but your own house will be safe." Prior to this, on July 31, Gray learned that Germany sent Russia After issuing the ultimatum, they sent telegrams to the governments of Germany and France respectively, asking the two countries to guarantee that Belgium's neutrality would be respected when it was not violated by other powerful countries.Within an hour of receiving the telegram, France responded by telegram agreeing, and Germany replied: "It is impossible for the foreign minister to give an answer before asking the emperor and the prime minister." The mobilization of the army also began at midnight that day, but Belgium at this moment did not know who would break neutrality first, and from which side the invasion would come, so there was no specific enemy country to target, only conscripts. On the evening of August 1, Germany had remained silent on Grey's request for 24 hours. King Albert of Belgium decided to make a final appeal to the Kaiser in his own name.He and his wife, Queen Elisabeth, daughter of a Bavarian duke, who was of pure German blood, drew up the manuscript: It was hoped that the "bonds of kinship and friendship" would surely lead the Kaiser to make a personal, private pledge to King Albert to respect Belgium. of neutrality.But even the "kinship" did not impress Wilhelm II.Instead, at 7:00 p.m. on August 2, the German ambassador delivered a murderous ultimatum, giving the Belgians 12 hours to respond. The summary of the ultimatum is: Germany has received reliable information that the French army will advance along the line from Kiwi to Namur, so France's intention to invade Germany through the Belgian border is beyond doubt.The Belgian army was obviously unable to stop the advance of the French army, so Germany had to preemptively strike in order to stop this hostile French attack based on the needs of self-defense.如果比利时人把德国进入比利时国土的行为视为针对它本身的一种敌对行动，德国将深感遗憾。不过，如果比利时能够保持善意中立，则德国将保证一旦战争结束缔结和约时，当即撤出比国领土，保证赔偿德军所造成的一切损失，并且在和约缔结时，保证王国的主权和独立。如果比利时反对德国通过其领土，则将被视做敌国，今后两国关系将由枪炮来决定。 事实上，法军无任何向比利时境内运动的迹象，德国政府要进入比国的理由纯属捏造。比利时人明确意识到：若要坚决捍卫自己的独立，它将受到力量十倍于己的德国的攻击，他们的家园将遭毁灭。如果他们屈服于德国的要求，那将听任德国占领自己的国家，而一个胜利的德国是很少有可能把撤退放在心上的，不仅如此，德国还会使比利时成为进攻法国的帮凶，成为自身中立的破坏者。不论选择哪条路，他们的国家都要被德国占领，但是，如果屈服，还得丧尽荣誉。最后，比利时人毅然作出决定：“如果我们必然要化为齑粉，就让我们光荣地化为齑粉吧。”8月3日凌晨4点，阿尔贝国王主持的国务会议通过了给德国的复照，并通过了国王的建议，即在德军实际进入比利时之前，不向其他保证比国中立的国家发出求援呼吁，以防这种呼吁被德国用来作为入侵的理由。上午7时整，也正是12小时限期的最后一刻，德国大使冯·贝洛接到了比利时政府的复照。比利时声明：如果接受德国的建议，它“将牺牲其民族尊严，背叛其对欧洲的义务”。因此，比利时“坚决以其权力范围以内的一切手段抵抗对其权利的每一进犯”。这天晚上，比王收到德皇对他两天前发出的呼吁的答复，德皇复电说，“由于怀着对比利时的最友好的愿望”，他才提出了他的严肃的要求，“正如所提条件已经阐明的那样，能否维持我们以前和目前的关系，依然取决于陛下”。“他把我当做什么啦？”阿尔贝国王愤慨地叫道，他立即下令炸毁列日要塞附近穆斯河上的桥梁，以及与卢森堡交界处的铁路隧道和桥梁。8月4日清晨6时，德国大使最后一次拜访比利时外交部，递交了一份照会。照会说：鉴于德国政府的“善意的建议”遭到拒绝，为了自身安全，德国将不得不采取措施，并“于必要时兵戎相见”。这个“必要时”是有意为比利时改变主意留下了余地，但这已无济于事，此时比利时人早已拿定了主意。两小时后，8时刚过2分，德军先头部队浩浩荡荡越过边境，开始进攻列日要塞。 当时间把欧洲向危机的顶峰推去时，英国这艘军舰也曲曲折折向战争驶去。7月31日，即德国向俄国发出最后通牒，要求取消总动员的这天，格雷在内阁会议上开门见山地说，英国作出决定的时刻已经来到，是支持协约国，还是保持中立，不容再拖延了。他表示，如果内阁选择中立，他绝不是执行这种政策的人。弦外之音是以去职相要挟。大臣们听完鸦雀无声，会议没作出任何决定就结束了。很明显，大家都在观望，等待事态的进一步发展。 8月1日，当俄国人在逼法国表态时，在伦敦，法国驻英国大使康邦也在对英国外交大臣格雷施加压力。中午，英国内阁召开会议，德高望众的莫利勋爵指出，在这场战争中，一个胜利的俄国将危害英国在亚洲的利益，而且英国人民也不准备在一场为自由和正义而战的斗争中，接受沙皇的哥萨克骑兵作为自己的战友。内阁再度否定了丘吉尔要求立即动员的建议，并决定就比利时的中立问题再向德国提出警告，但目前暂不采取行动。格雷把内阁的态度转给焦虑不安的康邦，格雷说英国必须等待局势出现某种“新的发展”，因为俄、奥、德三国的争执所涉及的问题与英国“无关”。格雷态度暧昧有其难言之隐和复杂的国内政治背景。“光荣孤立”的外交传统在国内仍有强大的势力，政府内阁和议会存在两派意见，一派主张介入欧洲大陆的事务，另一派则反对介入。内阁中格雷派和保守党属于前者，他们认为英国的国家利益和法国的生存是紧密相连的，但是如果格雷公开说明这一观点，势必引起内阁和全国的分裂，从而使任何从事战争的努力在战争开始之前遭到致命的打击。因为英国是欧洲唯一不实行义务兵役制的国家，战时得依靠自愿应募。如果在战争问题上有一批人退出政府，那就意味着退出政府的那批人将领导成立一个反战组织，募兵工作就会因此产生不堪设想的后果。所以，英国参战的首要条件是要有一个联合一致的政府。 英国内阁里，反对干预的那一派势力雄厚，莫利勋爵是其领袖，他相信可以指望有“八九个人可能赞同我们”，反对丘吉尔以“超凡的精力”和格雷以“狂热的直率态度”所公然为之奋斗的解决办法。莫利有一点很清楚，比利时的中立“比起我们在德法争斗中的中立来是处于第二位的”。格雷也很清楚，只有比利时的中立遭到破坏，才会使主和派相信德国的威胁，相信需要用战争来保卫英国的利益。8月1日，内阁和议会的裂痕已经出现，并在继续扩大，18名内阁阁员中，有12人反对英国保证在战争中给予法国支持。自由党议员决策委员会以19票对4票通过一项决议：不论比利时或其他地方发生什么事情，英国都应保持中立。这天中午，伦敦证券交易所在金融恐慌风潮中宣布停市，全欧洲的交易所也相继关闭，外汇暴跌，银行家和商人一想到战争就大惊失色。次日，英格兰银行总裁告诉劳合·乔治，整个伦敦城全都反对英国插手战争。在英国大众中影响甚广的《笨拙》周刊发表了一首诗，题为《表达一个普通的英国爱国者意见的诗》： 康邦大使结束了同格雷的谈话后，极度失望之下，去拜访反对党领袖，他抛弃了以往的外交辞令，直截了当地指责道：“我们所有的计划都是双方共同拟定的，我们两国的参谋本部都曾进行过磋商。你们已经看到了我们的全部计划和准备工作。请看我们的舰队！由于我们和你们所作的安排，我们的整个舰队都在地中海，因而我们的海岸对敌人敞开着。你们把我们搞得门户洞开！”康邦又来到英国外交次官尼柯逊的办公室，瘫坐着口中不断地重复：“他们要抛弃我们！他们要抛弃我们！”伦敦《泰晤士报》记者恰好来采访，问康邦来此有何贵干，康邦硬邦邦扔去一句话：“我正在等候着想要知道'荣誉'这个词汇是否已经从英国的辞典中被删去了。”随后，康邦对尼柯逊进行威胁，扬言要向外界公布“他的小文件”（即1912年两国往来的信件），让格雷和他的政府出丑。 格雷应付完康邦，旋即被尼柯逊缠住，尼柯逊问：“在此危机关头英国是否真的要拒绝援助法国？”格雷不知如何回答，只是作了一个无可奈何的姿态，尼柯逊怒吼道：“你简直让我们成了国际上的笑柄！”吼完扭头就走。格雷还来不及反应，德国大使利希诺夫斯基已站在他面前，格雷向德国大使宣读了英国内阁的警告：德国不得侵犯比利时中立。大使天真地问道：“如果德国正式承诺不侵犯比利时中立，英国是否也承诺保持中立？”（这位大使一点也不清楚“史里芬计划”必须破坏比国中立。）格雷回道：“英国不能给予任何承诺。”德国大使进一步追问：“英国在何种条件下才肯保持中立？”格雷回答说：“英国必须保持行动的自由。”后来当威廉二世看到这份谈话记录时，忿忿地批示道：“所以他们简直是一群流氓！” 法国大使威胁要公布的“他的小文件”，的确是格雷先生的“痛处”，英法之间的军事密约长期以来一直瞒着议会和内阁其他人员，从英国长远利益考虑，英法合作势在必行，两国总参谋部联合制订的计划和海军协定都属未雨绸缪之举，但迫于“光荣孤立”的传统惯性，格雷和他的内阁又同时对法国人私下声明，尽管双方合作已到了这一步，但并不意味着在战争中，英国承担援助法国的义务。事实上，英国人这种滴水不漏的做法纯属自欺欺人。根据克劳塞维茨的观点，既然战争是国家政策的继续，那么军事计划也是国家政策的一部分，两国参谋本部花了9年时间才把全部细节拟定完毕的计划，既非逢场作戏，也不是消磨时光。既然伙同法国搞了联合作战的计划，又声明不承担义务，一方面反映了英国政府的自私精怪，另一方面也反映了国内反战势力的强大，以及相当一部分政府官员明知“不承担义务”不符合现实中事件发展的逻辑，仍自我催眠。 8月2日下午，格雷要求英国内阁授权履行英国海军保卫海峡一边法国海岸的诺言。德国舰队一旦出现在海峡，对英国的直接挑衅将不亚于当年的西班牙无敌舰队，因此，内阁勉强地同意了格雷的要求。格雷于当天下午，也就是德国向比利时递交最后通牒前几小时，向康邦大使递交了一份书面保证：“如果德国舰队进入海峡，或是通过北海对法国海岸或海上运输采取敌对行动，英国舰队将全力给予保护。”不过格雷又表示：该项保证“并不约束我们必须与德国作战，除非德国舰队采取上述行动。”这时的格雷再一次表现出英国人特有的“精怪”。他还告诉康邦，因为英国不能确保本土海岸，所以不可能安全地派遣武装部队出国。康邦刚喜又惊，问道这是否意味着英国将永远不采取这一行动。答曰：仅就当前情况而言。康邦建议英国派遣两个师以收道义上的效果，格雷说派遣这样小一支部队甚至4个师都会给他们带来最大危险，而效果又将是微乎其微。继而格雷还告诫说，在次日通知议会前，英国海军承担义务一事千万不得公开。此刻，落在水里的法国总算抓到了一根稻草，康邦既感失望犹抱希望，他相信这会导致英国全面参战，因为无论哪个国家都不会半推半就地打仗。 履行海军协议的保证终于导致了英国内阁的分裂，莫利勋爵和约翰·伯恩斯两位大臣宣布辞职。生龙活虎的丘吉尔四处串联，准备万一内阁倒台就组织联合政府。格雷深知举国上下痛恨卷入战争，要彻底履行对法国人的义务，就要把英国带进漩涡并维护康邦所说的“英国的荣誉”，真是如履薄冰，如临深渊。除非“英国的荣誉”套上一件“比利时外衣”，因为中立的比利时是英国政策的产儿，对比国的入侵就是对英国在大陆利益的践踏。正当英国政府为是否接受挑战而焦头烂额，内阁行将崩溃时，德国人毫不吝啬地将“比利时外衣”及时送到。这天晚上，格雷正同原陆军大臣霍尔丹共进晚餐，一份“德国即将入侵比利时”的电报送上餐桌。这份电报不知是谁发的，不过格雷却肯定其言可信，他问霍尔丹有何想法，后者回答立即动员。他俩很快找到首相阿斯奎斯，给他看了电报，要求他批准动员，首相表示同意。霍尔丹自荐暂时重返陆军大臣职位，而格雷已决定要求内阁将比利时中立被破坏视做宣战的理由。 8月3日中午时分，英国陆军部已发出了动员令，内阁也得到消息：比利时已决定将其6个师投入战斗，抗击德国。内阁还收到保守党领袖两天前就发出的声明，声明指出：如果对法国和俄国的援助犹豫不决，就会使联合王国的信誉和安全化为泡影。而自由党那边，约翰·西蒙爵士和比彻姆勋爵两位大臣已辞职，但比利时的事态则决定了中枢人物劳合·乔治仍在留守。这天下午，格雷要向议会宣布政府声明，这是危机发生以来英国人第一次正式公开声明。他没有时间准备讲稿，临到最后一小时，德国大使来访，询问格雷打算对议会讲些什么，是宣战吗？格雷回答说，不是宣战，而是说明条件。德国大使问比利时的中立是否条件之一？他“恳请”格雷不要将此提作条件。俩人各怀心事，心急如焚，格雷想抓紧时间构思几个要点，利希诺夫斯基竭力想拖延时间，以推迟公布这一挑战的时刻。 8月3日下午3时，格雷开始向座无虚席的议会发表将一个国家带进战争的历史性演说。格雷的使命是要使国家朝野一致、上下团结地投入战争。他从容不迫，感情充沛地请人们从英国的利益、英国的荣誉和英国的责任来对待这次危机，他叙述了英法军事会谈的经过和结果，强调这仅仅是未雨绸缪，英国并不因此承诺过任何“义务”而丧失在任何情况下保持“行动自由”的传统原则和灵活性地位。接着他透露了两国海军的安排，法国的海军根据协议已集中在地中海，地中海贸易航线对英国无疑十分重要，在那儿，英国舰队的力量不足于对付其他国家的联合舰队，也不能派遣更多的舰只去那儿。现在法国北部和西部海岸已处于毫无防御的状态，如果英国舰队不履行保卫法国海岸的承诺，法国舰队一旦从地中海撤回，英国在那儿的海上利益能否维持，将难以预料。因此他已受权对法国大使作出保证：英国将履行保卫法国北部、西部海岸的义务，如果德国舰队开进海峡轰击法国海岸，英国不能袖手旁观，不能不采取任何行动。说到此处，引来议会席上一大片喝彩声，反战人士则表示默认。喝彩过后，格雷继续说他了解到德国政府的意图是：如果英国保持中立，德国同意它的舰队不攻击法国北部海岸。但格雷认为这种约定范围太狭窄，英国的中立只换得鸡零狗碎的东西是不明智的，事态已发展到更为严重的地步，因为从他刚刚得到的消息来看，似乎德国现在已经向比利时提出了最后通牒，要损害它或侵犯它的中立，使它失去孤立地位。格雷提请议院设想一下：“如果法国在这场生死决斗中打败了，从而失去了大国的地位，屈服于一个更强大的战胜国，而且如果比利时受同一控制力量的支配，然后荷兰、丹麦紧接其后。”格雷说到这儿明智地援引了反对者领袖、前首相格莱斯顿的观点：“我们国家能够袖手旁观，熟视这种玷污历史的前所未有的可怕罪行，从而成为这一罪行的帮凶吗？”他还引用了最为关键的一句：“我们有着反对任何国家无限扩张的共同利益这一点，岂不是就成为事实了吗？”格雷接着斩钉截铁地发挥道：“如果在这样一场危机之中，我们逃避根据比利时条约所承担的事关荣誉和利益的义务……我简直不能相信，在战争结束时，即使我们持旁观态度，能够把战争中所发生的情况改变过来，防止我们对面的整个西欧陷于独一无二的大国的统治之下……我相信，我们也将在全世界面前丧失别人对我们的尊敬，丧失我们的名誉和声望，我们将无法逃脱最严重和最严酷的经济后果。” 格雷将“问题和抉择”放在了议会面前，当他结束了一小时又一刻钟的演讲时，议院大厅爆发出一片掌声。仍有少数议员反对格雷的观点，麦克唐纳代表工党议员发言说，英国应该保持中立。自由党议员则通过一项决议声称：格雷没有说清参战的理由。但格雷基本上获得了举国支持，当大英帝国处在历史的十字路口时，他成功地驾驭了国家的命运。离开议院时，丘吉尔问：“现在该怎么办？”格雷说：“现在嘛，我们要在24小时内向他们发出最后通牒，要他们停止对比利时的侵犯。”几小时后，格雷又对法国大使康邦说：“如果他们拒绝，那就是战争。” 就在格雷结束下院演说后两小时，德国驻巴黎的大使冯·秀恩带着政府的宣战书来见法国总理维维亚尼，他一见面就抱怨说，他来的路上，一位法国太太把头伸进他的汽车窗口，侮辱了他的皇帝。维维亚尼问他是不是就为抱怨此事而来，他说另有任务。德国大使打开文件宣读战书： 德国行政和军事当局已经证实，法国军事飞行员在德国领土上采取了一些公然敌对行为。在这些行为之中，若干次飞行飞越比利时的领土，公开侵犯比利时的中立；一次飞行企图毁坏韦塞尔附近的建筑物，另外几次是在艾弗尔区被发现，还有一次则在卡尔斯鲁厄和纽伦堡附近铁路投弹。 我奉训令并荣幸地通知阁下，德意志帝国面临着这些侵略事实，认为由于法国的行为的结果而与法国处于战争状态。 同时，我荣幸地使阁下获悉，德国当局将扣留德国港内的法国商船，但如果在四十八小时内德国当局得到完全互惠的保证，德国当局将释放这些商船。 我的外交使命因而告终，应请阁下给予护照，并采取阁下认为合适的步骤，保证我本人和大使馆的工作人员及巴伐利亚公使馆和德国驻巴黎总领事馆的工作人员回返德国。 德国在宣战书里对法国的指控纯属捏造，维维亚尼当即给予正式否认。这些指控与其说是讲给法国人听的，不如说是讲给德国国内公众听的。8月4日正午，比利时国王正式发出呼吁，要求比利时中立的各保证国采取联合一致的军事行动。几小时前，德军已越过边境开始了进攻。在这以前，比利时和法国担心德国向比国发出的最后通牒可能是一种诡计，想诱使法国先行进入比利时，以便找到入侵借口。所以，比国政府迟迟没有发出呼吁，直到德国入侵成为事实。在柏林，德国当局以为比利时人会为了面子做一下象征性的抵抗就会同德国达成谅解。当比利时驻德国大使拜恩斯前往德国外交部索取护照时，德国外交大臣雅戈赶忙迎上前去问道：“你有什么话要对我说吗？”似乎在等待着某种建议。他再次申明德国愿意尊重比利时的独立，并说，如果比利时不毁坏铁路、桥梁和隧道，在列日不进行抵抗而让德军自由通过，德国愿意赔偿一切损失。拜恩斯转身要走时，雅戈仍跟在后面说：“或许我们还有一些话可以谈谈。” 下午，法国总理维维亚尼在参众两院联席会议上发表演说，当他说到意大利已“以其拉丁民族的理智所独具的洞察力”宣布中立时，全场响起了如痴如狂的欢呼声。维维亚尼致词完毕，接着就是宣读法国总统普恩加莱的书面演说词，由于宪法的规定，总统不能亲临国会。总统的演说词指出，法国是为自由、正义和理性而战，必将获得文明世界的全体支持。与此同时，法军总司令霞飞将军正信心十足地来向总统辞行，然后奔赴前线。 几乎同样的时刻，德意志帝国的国会议员们聚集一堂，在大教堂做完仪式后列队鱼贯进入皇宫，首相贝特曼身着龙骑兵制服，从公文包里取出演讲稿递给德皇，威廉二世一身戎装披挂，头戴盔帽，手按剑柄，杀气腾腾地宣称：“我们拔剑出鞘，问心无愧，双手清白。”他说战争是由塞尔维亚在俄国支持下挑起的，他历数了俄国的罪行，激起一片“可耻”的嘘叫声。演说词念完后，德皇提高嗓门宣布：“从今日起，我不承认党派，只承认德国人！”然后要求各党派领袖，如果同意的话就上前同他握手。在激动的狂热中，所有党派的领袖们都从命不误，其他在场的人员爆发出欣喜若狂的欢呼声。议员们离开皇宫，又继续到国会大厦开会，当贝特曼宣布德军已进入比利时和卢森堡时，议员席上引起一阵巨大的骚动。他解释说：“法国确实向比利时保证尊重它的中立，但我们知道法国时刻准备入侵比利时，所以我们不能等待，这是出于军事上的需要，而'需要是不懂法律的'。”说到这里，贝特曼总算把所有的人俘虏过来了，但不知从哪儿来的一股勇气或是蛮气，他居然说道：“我们对比利时的侵犯是违背国际法的，但是我们现在正在犯的——我公开这么说——过错，在我们的军事目标一经达到之后，我们是会弥补的。”这句话在海军上将蒂尔皮茨看来是德国政治家有史以来最严重的失言；而自由党领袖康德拉·豪斯曼却认为这是整篇演说中最精彩的部分。贝特曼最后说了一句惊人的妙语：“不论哪个国家若也像德国这样受到如此严重的威胁，所考虑的也只能是如何杀出一条血路。”接着，情绪激动的国会议员们一致通过了50亿马克的战时公债，并决定国会休会4个月，因为按照当时人们的一般想法，战争只要4个月时间就会结束。 当天晚上7点，英国终于向德国发出了最后通牒，这份通牒分两步走，第一步要求德国作出它对比利时的要求“不予执行”的保证，并要求对此“立即回答”。但从技术上看还不能算最后通牒，因为既未加时间限制，又未提出如不答应或不答复时英国将采取措施。格雷一直等到获悉德军确实入侵比利时之后才发出第二份照会，要求当天午夜之前必须作出满意答复，不然英国大使就将索取回国护照。 英国驻德国大使爱德华·戈申爵士在递交通牒时，贝特曼勃然起怒，大发了一通议论。他说：“英国竟对一个联姻的国家宣战，简直不可思议，这等于在一个人为了自己的生命与两个来犯的人搏斗时，从他背后猛击一下。”此刻，这位德国首相在一时冲动下又说了一句惊世骇俗、响彻全球的话，他说英国这样做“仅仅是为了一个词儿——'中立'——仅仅是为了一张废纸……”这句话为他在危机过程中的“妙语连珠”再添“异彩”。戈申大使针锋相对道：“如果假道比利时涉及德国的存亡，那么履行盟约义务也关系英国的存亡。” 德国对英国的通牒置之不理。晚上9点左右，英国政府从一份截获的明码电报得知德国已决定从英国大使要求发给护照之时起，即同英国处于交战状态。不过，英国人还是决定等到午夜。午夜过后20分钟，英国向德国宣战，不列颠狮终于和德意志鹰撕咬起来。自萨拉热窝刺杀事件以来，弥漫在欧洲上空的迷雾终于散尽，尘埃落定之处，两大军事集团都已穿上“闪闪发亮的甲胄”，登场亮相。 8月初的头几天里，整个欧洲像是被卷进一个疯狂的漩涡。在美国作家巴巴拉·塔奇曼的笔下，某些景象成了具有历史意义的镜头，反映了战争悲剧到来时欧洲人的心情。这里似有必要录下几段： “在布鲁塞尔，德国入侵开始后一小时，阿尔贝国王身穿军服，未作任何佩戴，骑马去国会开会。一辆敞篷马车上坐着王后和她的三个孩子，后面跟着两辆马车，国王一人在马背上殿后，这个小小的行列沿着皇家大道小跑而来。一路上家家户户挂着国旗，拿着鲜花；街头巷尾满是兴奋激昂的人群；素不相识的人们互相握手，欢笑与呼号杂交一片，每个人的感情，正如有人后来回忆所说，'都被他和他同胞之间的共同的爱和共同的恨的纽带联结在一起'。一阵又一阵的欢呼声朝着国王而来，仿佛人们怀着共同的感情，试图向他表明，他是他们国家的象征，是他们坚持独立意志的象征，甚至不知怎么竟忘了不该出场，也和其他国家的外交官