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 CHAPTER IX

THE NEUTRALISED STATES

I. Neutralisation: Its importance in relation to the war—Neutrality—Neutralisation distinguished from neutrality—Must be permanent—Satisfactory results in Belgium and Switzerland.

II. Luxemburg: Strategic importance—The treaties of 1815—The neutralisation of 1867—Franco-Prussian War, 1871.

III. Belgium: The European settlement of 1815—Belgium a buffer State between Britain, France, and Germany—Strategic importance—The erection of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, 1815—Intended as a barrier to France—Constant Anglo- French enmity—Germany’s advance overlooked—In 1901 Britain began to trouble about Germany—The neutralisation of Belgium then important—Belgian Revolution— Separation from Holland—Settlement of 1815 broken up—British intervention—Question of partition—Independence recognised—But necessary to ensure it—The neutralisation— Belgium’s protest—The "Eighteen Articles "—These accepted by Belgium—Holland invades Belgium—Powers intervene—Negotiations resumed—The "Twenty-Four Ar- ticles "—The settlement—Renewed in 1870—Britain then protected Belgium—Its modern rise—" Has Belgium a Soul? "—Walloons and Flemings—Both courageous in fighting—Flemings, pro-German mixture of races—Flamingantisme—The catspaw of Pan-Germanism—A Flemish placard—The souvenir of the French fury of 1583— Flemish literature—Belgium recently becoming Germanised—Pan-Germanist maps— German time—Spies—The Belgian King.

IV. Switzerland: Strategic importance—Neutralisation guaranteed by Powers. Savoy Provinces: Relation to Switzerland—Ceded to Napoleon III.—Anomalous position of the territory—Opposition of Europepp. 139-165

CHAPTER X

THE PROBLEM OF ALSACE-LORRAINE

Long-continued hostility between France and Germany—The war of 1870—Colonial relations—The Treaty of Frankfort—The annexation of Alsace-Lorraine—Its effect on France—France since 1870 pursuing only a policy of economic development—Germany arming against her—The enmity of France psychological—France never guilty of aggression against Germany—The people of Alsace-Lorraine not satisfied—The economic reasons for the annexation—Nietzsche and France—German efforts to prevent French mobilisation—German military railwayspp. 166—174

CHAPTER XI

THE SERAJEVO ASSASSINATION AND ITS RESULTING DIPLOMACY

Scenes following the assassination—Massacres of Serbs—Proposed action of Austrian Government—Examinations of the murderers—Confessions—Results of investigation—The official Austrian report—Its value—Funeral of Archduke—Popular demonstrations— Austria’s idea of proof of Serbia’s complicity in the crime—Political proof as distinguished from judicial proof—Britain’s view—Austria's Ultimatum—Her indecent haste— Efforts for an extension of time for reply—Views of France and Russia—Germany’s desire for war at this moment—Austria desired to crush Serbia—Russia intervenes to protect Serbia—Serbia prepares reply—Advice of Britain—Russia again intervenes—The reply—Feeling of the Powers—Serbian Government leaves Belgrade—Austria’s idea about the reply—Speech of Sir Edward Grey, July 27—Austria declares war on Serbia— The declaration—Negotiations for mediation—Manifesto of Francis Joseph—Criticised— The Austrian Press—Austria pretends she "seeks no territory"—Not too late for war to be stopped—Further efforts of Powers—German duplicity—What Germany wanted— Interview between German Chancellor and British Ambassador—Position of France—