Now ever since the war of 1870, France had been building a line of great forts across the narrow stretch of ground where her territory approached that of Germany.  Belfort, Toul, Epinal, Verdun, Longwy, they ranged through the mountains northeast of France as guardians of their country against another German attack.  To rush an army into France over this rough country and between these great fortresses was impossible.  Modern armies carry great guns with them which cannot climb steep grades.  Therefore, if Germany wanted to strike a quick, smashing blow at France and get her armies back six weeks later to meet the slow-moving Russians, it was plain that she must seek some other approach than that through the Vosges Mountains.

[Illustration:  A Fort Ruined by the Big German Guns]

From Aix-La-Chapelle near the Rhine in Germany, through the northern and western part of Belgium, there stretches a flat plain, with level roads, easy to cross. (See map.) Now, years before, Belgium had been promised by France, Prussia, and England that no one of them would disturb its neutrality.  In other words it was pledged that in case of a war, no armed force of any of these three nations should enter Belgian territory, nor should Belgium be involved in any trouble arising among them.  In case any one of the nations named or in fact any other hostile force, invaded Belgium, the signers of the treaty were bound to rush to Belgium’s aid.  Belgium, in return, had agreed to resist with her small army any troops which might invade her country.

In spite of the fact that their nation had signed this treaty, the Germans started their rush toward France, not through the line of forts in the mountains, but across the gently rolling plain to the north.  They first asked permission of the Belgians to pass through their country.  On being refused, they entered Belgian territory just east of Liege (li ezh’).  The Belgians telegraphed their protest to Berlin.  The Germans replied that they were sorry but it was necessary for them to invade Belgium in order to attack France.  They agreed to do no damage and to pay the Belgians for any supplies or food which their army might seize.  The Belgians replied that by their treaty with France, England, and Germany they were bound on their honor to resist just such an invasion as this.  They asked the Germans how Germany would regard them if they were to permit a French army to cross Belgian territory to take Germany by surprise.  The Germans again said that they were sorry, but that if Belgium refused permission to their army to cross, the army would go through without permission.  It was a dreadful decision that Belgium had to make, but she did not hesitate.  She sent orders to her armies to resist by all means the passage of the German troops.  The great war had begun.

[Map:  Map showing the Two Routes from Germany to Paris.]

As we look over the evidence the German war lords must bear the blame, almost alone.