Why We Are at War (2nd Edition, revised)

University Of Oxford. Faculty Of Modern History

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• Publié par: fuim
• Publié le: 08 décembre 2010
• Nombre de lectures: 52
• Langue: English

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The Project Gutenberg eBook, Why We Are At War (2nd Edition, revised), by Members of the Oxford Faculty of Modern History This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Title: Why We Are At War (2nd Edition, revised) Author: Members of the Oxford Faculty of Modern History Release Date: January 23, 2004 [eBook #10809] Language: English Character set encoding: iso-8859-1 ***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WHY WE ARE AT WAR (2ND EDITION, REVISED)*** E-text prepared by Jonathan Ingram, David King, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team WHY WE ARE AT WAR: GREAT BRITAIN'S CASE BY MEMBERS OF THE OXFORD FACULTY OF MODERN HISTORY With an Appendix of Original Documents including the Authorized English Translation of the White Book issued by the German Government Second Edition Revised (fourth impression) containing the Russian Orange Book 1914 PREFACE We are not politicians, and we belong to different schools of political thought. We have written this book to set forth the causes of the present war, and the principles which we believe to be at stake. We have some experience in the handling of historic evidence, and we have endeavoured to treat this subject historically. Our fifth chapter, which to many readers will be the most interesting, is founded upon first-hand evidence—the documents contained in the British White Book (Parliamentary Paper, Cd. 7467; hereafter cited as Correspondence respecting the European Crisis), and the German White Book, which is an official apology, supplemented by documents. The German White Book, as being difficult of access, we have printed in extenso. It exists in two versions, a German and an English, both published for the German Government. We have reproduced the English version without correcting the solecisms of spelling and expression. From the English White Book we have reprinted, in the second appendix, a small selection of the more significant documents; many more are quoted in the body of our work. Our thanks are due to Sir H. Erle Richards, Chichele Professor of International Law and Diplomacy; and to Mr. W.G.S. Adams, Gladstone Professor of Political Theory and Institutions, for valuable suggestions and assistance. The sole responsibility for the book rests, however, with those who sign this Preface. Any profits arising from the sale of this work will be sent to the Belgian Relief Fund, as a mark of sympathy and respect for the Belgian nation, and especially for the University of Louvain. E. BARKER H. W. C. DAVIS C. R. L. FLETCHER ARTHUR HASSALL L. G. WICKHAM LEGG F. MORGAN Preface to Second Edition. By the courtesy of His Excellency the Russian Ambassador we are now able to print in an appendix (No. VI) those documents contained in the Russian Orange Book which have not been already published in the German and the British White Books. In the light of the evidence afforded by the Russian Orange Book, we have modified one or two sentences in this edition. 21 September, 1914. CONTENTS TABLE OF DATES CHAPTER I THE NEUTRALITY OF BELGIUM AND LUXEMBURG Belgian neutrality—The origin of Belgium—England and the smaller Powers—The Treaty of 1839 —Belgium's independence and neutrality.—The neutrality of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg—Its origin—The Treaty of 1867—The collective guarantee.—The strategic importance of Belgium—German plans long suspected. CHAPTER II THE GROWTH OF ALLIANCES AND THE RACE OF ARMAMENTS SINCE 1871 Introduction—The Triple Alliance—Bismarck's dismissal—French colonial advance—-Germany's demands for compensations—The Anglo-French agreement concerning Morocco—German objections—England and Russia—The Agadir incident—Anglo-French exchange of notes—Disputes in the Balkans—The 'Boulanger Law' of 1886—Count Caprivi's law of 1893—Franco-Russian entente—German military preparations —France's response—Russia's reorganization—England's Army and Navy. Note. Abstract of Anglo-French Agreement on Morocco . CHAPTER III THE DEVELOPMENT OF RUSSIAN POLICY Estrangement of Russia and Germany—Austria and the Balkans—German penetration through the Balkans —Servia and Russia—Germany and the Slavs—Russia and England. CHAPTER IV CHRONOLOGICAL SKETCH OF THE CRISIS OF 1914 Diary of the Events leading to the War. CHAPTER V NEGOTIATORS AND NEGOTIATIONS Dramatis personae. §1. Germany's attitude to Russia and Austria —Presentation of the Austrian Note to Servia—Germany shields Austria—Conduct of Germany considered—Sir Edward Grey proposes mediation, and then a Conference of Four Powers—Germany's objections to a 'Conference'—Direct conversations between the Powers—Austria invited to suspend military action—Mobilization; on whom does responsibility lie?—War inevitable. §2. Germany's attitude to France—Germany accuses France of military preparations —Germany invades France. §3. The question of British neutrality —Possibility of England being involved —Germany warned—German 'bid for British neutrality'—England's refusal—France agrees, and Germany refuses, to respect Belgian neutrality—Prince Lichnowsky and Sir Edward Grey—Neutrality of Luxemburg violated—Germany demands a free passage through Belgium—Sir Edward Grey protests—Belgium invaded—England's ultimatum—The Imperial Chancellor urges necessity of Germany's action. §4. England and Servia—Sir Edward Grey realizes Russia's interest in Servia—He is only concerned for the peace of Europe—He urges mediation—He proposes a Conference. §5. Great Britain declines 'solidarity' with Russia and France—Proposals by MM. Sazonof and Poincaré—England's refusal—Was it wise?—The Austrian dossier. §6. Italy's comments on the situation—Significance of Italy's position—Italy's endeavours to prevent war—Italy's declaration of neutrality. Note. Abstract of Austro-Hungarian note to Servia, and Servians reply . CHAPTER VI THE NEW GERMAN THEORY OF THE STATE The principles of raison d'etat and the rule of law—Treitschke's teaching—The results of this philosophy —Contempt for public law—The glorification of war—The philosophy pagan—Its adoption by Prussian soldiers and Government—A plea for Prussia—England fights for law. EPILOGUE APPENDIXES I. THE GERMAN WHITE BOOK II. EXTRACTS FROM SIR EDWARD GREY'S CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING THE EUROPEAN CRISIS III. EXTRACT FROM THE DISPATCH FROM HIS MAJESTY'S AMBASSADOR AT BERLIN RESPECTING THE RUPTURE OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT IV. THE CRIME OF SERAJEVO V. EXTRACT FROM THE DISPATCH FROM HIS MAJESTY'S AMBASSADOR AT VIENNA RESPECTING THE RUPTURE OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN GOVERNMENT VI. EXTRACTS FROM THE RUSSIAN ORANGE BOOK CHIEF DATES 1648 Jan. The Treaty of Munster. Oct. The Treaty of Westphalia. 1713 April. The Treaty of Utrecht. 1772 First Partition of Poland. 1783 William of Nassau becomes Grand Duke of Luxemburg. 1788 July. The Triple Alliance of England, Holland, and Prussia. 1789 The French Revolution begins. 1792 Nov. 6. Battle of Jemappes. French Conquest of the Austrian Netherlands and Liège. Nov. 19. French decree offering 'freedom to all nations'. Dec. 15. Compulsory freedom declared. 1793 Jan. Second Partition of Poland. Feb. 1. Declaration of War by France against England and Holland. 1795 Third Partition of Poland. 1801 Feb. 9. The Treaty of Luneville. France guarantees the independence of Holland (then called 'Batavian Republic'). 1802 Mar. 27. The Treaty of Amiens. 1803 Mar. 13. Napoleon's famous interview with