To mark 100 years since the start of World War One, we're posting stories that ran in the Star, during this pivotal time in history. Explore the headlines and reports as the world came to grips with the outbreak of The Great War.Click here for more stories.

This story was originally published in The Star on Aug. 4, 1914.

LONDON, AUG. 4—The House of Commons today voted $525,000,000 for emergency purposes and passed several bills in five minutes without a dissentient voice.

BERLIN, AUG. 4—A bill was introduced into the German Imperial Parliament today providing for the appropriation of $1,250,000,000 to meet the expenses of the war.

LONDON, AUG. 4—Great Britain today sent a practical ultimatum to Germany demanding a satisfactory reply by midnight tonight on the subject of Belgian neutrality. This means 7 p.m. in Toronto.

LONDON, AUG. 4—A proclamation by King George commanding the mobilization of the British army was read today from the steps of the Royal Exchange. A huge crowd cheered and the British national anthem was sung.

LONDON, AUG 4—Premier Asquith in the House of Commons confirmed the sending to Germany of a request that she should give the same assurance of the neutrality of Belgium as France had done, and that her reply should be sent to England before midnight.

This first announcement that a virtual British ultimatum had been sent to Germany fixing a time limit for a reply was made by Premier Asquith in the presence of a crowded House.

Belgium Appeals to Britain

Mr. Asquith said that in conformity with the statement made by Sir Edward Grey, the foreign secretary, in the House of Commons yesterday, a telegram had been sent early this morning to Sir Edward Goseen, British ambassador in Berlin, to the following effect:

“The King of the Belgians has appealed to his Britannie Majesty’s government for diplomatic intervention on behalf of Belgium. The British government is informed that the German government has delivered also to the Belgian government a note proposing friendly neutrality pending a free passage of German troops through Belgium and promising to maintain independence and integrity of the kingdom and its possessions on the conclusion of peace, threatening in case of refusal to treat Belgium as an enemy.”

12 Hours For Answer

Sir Edward Grey in the dispatch requested an answer with twelve hours.

Mr. Asquith continued:

“Immediately after we received from the Belgian Legation here the following telegraph from the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs:

The Belgian general staff announces that Belgian territory has been violated at Verviers near Aix-la-Chappelle.’

“Subsequent information tends to show that a German force has penetrated still father into Belgian territory.

“We also received this note this morning from the German ambassador here:

“Please dispel any distrust that may subsist on the part of the British government with regard to our intentions by repeating most positively the formal assurance that even in case of armed conflict with Belgium, Germany will under no previsions whatever, annex Belgian territory. The sincerity of this declaration is borne out by the fact that we have solemnly pledged our … to Holland strictly to respect her neutrality. It is obvious that we could not profitably annex Belgian territory without making territorial acquisition at the expense of Holland.

“Please impress upon Sir Edward … that the German army could not … exposed to a French attack across Belgium which was planned according to absolutely unimpeachable information. Germany has as a consequence, disregarded Belgian neutrality to prevent what means to her a question of life and death—a French advance through Belgium.”

Not a Satisfactory Reply

Premier Asquith then said: “I have to add this on behalf of His Majesty’s Government:

“We cannot regard this as in any sense a satisfactory communication. We have in reply repeated the request made last week to the German government that it should give us the same assurance regarding Belgian neutrality as was given to us by France last week.

“We have asked that the German reply to that request and a satisfactory allowed to our telegram of this morning should be given before midnight tonight.”

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Belgium Refused

The Premier continued:

“We understand that Belgium categorically refused to assent to a flagrant violation of the law of nations.

“His Majesty’s Government was bound to protest against this violation of a treaty to which Germany was a party in common with England, and must request an assurance that the demand made upon Belgium by Germany be not proceeded with, and that Belgium’s neutrality be respected by Germany and we have asked for an immediate reply.

“We received this morning from out Minister in Brussels the following telegram:

“The German Minister has this morning addressed a note to the Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, stating that as the Belgian Government has declined a well-intentioned proposal submitted to it by the Imperial German Government, the latter deeply to its regret will be compelled to carry out if necessary by force of arms the measures considered indispensable in view of the French menace.”

Premier Asquith explained that all England had demanded of Germany was she give the same assurances regarding Belgium’s neutrality as France had. This, he said, was refused.

Promises Broken

“We only had promises from Germany,” the Premier continued. “And these promises were made simultaneously with the pressing of demand on Belgium herself by the German Foreign Office. Of course this was not satisfactory. Germany’s attitude throughout in connection with Belgium has been entirely in opposition to British interests.”

Great Britain cannot consider the offer made by Germany to compensate Belgium for any damage done to her territory as satisfactory the Premier told the Commons.

“We must protect Belgium’s neutrality to prevent what is to her a matter of life or death, the advance of a hostile army through her borders. Belgium has appealed to us. It is for us to decide what answer we shall make to that appeal.”

The Premier concluded his grave statement amid a great outburst of cheers from all part of the House.

Belgium Prepares to Declare War

In Brussels it was declared that Belgium was getting ready to declare war on Germany. The violation of her territory has aroused the people to the utmost. This was manifested by serious anti-German demonstrations in every section of the kingdom today.

Click here for more stories.

Read more about: