The denouement of August 4th, 1914, when Belgian neutrality was declared a “scrap of paper,"[140] was not the inspiration of a moment, nor a decision arrived at under the pressure of necessity, but the result of years of military preparation and planning.  It had been carefully arranged that the boiler should pour forth its energy through the Belgian valve.

[Footnote 140:  This famous phrase was employed as far back as 1855 by a Belgian Minister in the House of Deputies, Brussels.  M. Lebeau in pleading for greater military preparation used these words:  “History has shown what becomes of neutralities which were guaranteed, by what may be termed a ‘scrap of paper.’”]

Or to draw another comparison, it is a modern variety of the wolf and the lamb fable, with this difference:  the wolf has first of all swallowed the lamb, and now excuses himself by asserting that the traitorous wretch had muddied the stream.

Belgians were painfully aware of the danger threatening them, and would have made greater efforts to protect themselves, had not their own Social Democrats resisted every military proposal.  As the matter stands to-day, however, all the efforts which Belgium did make, are classed by Germany as intrigues of the Triple Entente, threatening her (Germany’s) existence, and all the horrors which have fallen upon this gallant “neutral” country the German Pecksniff designates “Belgium’s Atonement."[141] It is to be feared that sooner or later, unless Germany’s military pride and unbounded greed of her neighbour’s goods can be checked, German professors will be engaged in the scientific task of proving that the waters of the upper Rhine are unpalatable because the lamb residing in Holland has stirred up mud in the lower reaches of the same river!

[Footnote 141:  Belgien’s Suebne, the title of a chapter describing the desolation and havoc of war, in a book entitled “Mit dem Hauptquartier nach Westen,” by Heinrich Binder.  Berlin, 1915.]

Belgium knew that England and France had no other interest than the maintenance of her neutrality.  Belgium saw and felt, where the storm clouds lowered, and probably sought or accepted advice from those Powers who wished to perpetuate both the territorial integrity and neutrality of Belgium.  Germany’s afterthought on the point is:  “It was Belgium’s duty to protect her neutrality, and she owed this duty to all States alike in the interests of the balance of power—­a conception to which she owes her existence.

“She was bound to treat all the signatory Powers in the same manner, but she failed to do so, in that she permitted one or two of them to gain an insight into her system of defence.  By this means she afforded the States admitted to her confidence, certain advantages which they could employ for their own ends at any moment.

“By allowing certain of the great Powers to see her cards, Belgium was not supporting the European balance, but seriously disturbing it.  Even Belgium’s Legation Secretary in Berlin had warned his Government concerning the political dangers arising out of intimacy with England.  By revealing her system of defence to England, Belgium destroyed its intrinsic value and still more—­she violated her international obligations."[142]