Monday, Bank Holiday, August 3

Germany offered on Monday to agree that its fleet would not attack the Northern coast of France if England remained neutral. Sir E. Grey said that was far too narrow an engagement.

Sir E. Grey said that last week he asked France and Germany if they would undertake to respect the neutrality of Belgium. France agreed to do so, and Germany declined to give an answer.

Sunday, Aug. 2: Germany sent a Note to Belgium asking the free passage of German troops through Belgium, promising to maintain Belgium's independence at the conclusion of peace and threatening to treat Belgium as an enemy if the request were refused... Belgium refused to accept this proposal and said she was resolved to repel aggression by all possible means. The King of the Belgians telegraphed to King George making a supreme appeal to England to safeguard Belgium's integrity.

Sir E. Grey said we were under no written obligations to help France, but he appealed to the hour and interests of Great Britain not to risk France being beaten. He said the neutrality of Belgium was of vital importance to us, for if one Power (Germany) absorbed Belgium, Holland and Denmark might go next, and the danger to England was incalculable.

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