The German Government has received unimpeachable news to the effect that the French forces have the intention of marching on the Meuse by Givet and Namur.  This news leaves no doubt as to the intention of France to march upon Germany from Belgian territory.  The Imperial Government of Germany cannot help fearing that Belgium, in spite of the best intentions, will not be in a position to repulse without help an incursion by the French of such great magnitude.  In this case it is sufficiently certain that Germany is seriously threatened.  It is the urgent business of Germany to forestall this attack on the part of the enemy.  The German Government would be filled with lively regret if Belgium were to regard as an act of hostility against her the fact that her precautionary measures oblige her to violate on her side Belgian territory.

     In order to avoid the possibility of misunderstanding, the German
     Government makes the following comment: 

1st.  Germany contemplates no act of hostility against Belgium.  If Belgium consents to assume in the war which is about to commence the attitude of friendly neutrality toward Germany, the German Government on its side engages, when peace is restored, to guarantee the integrity of the kingdom and its possessions.

     2nd.  Germany engages herself, on the aforesaid conditions, to
     evacuate Belgian territory as soon as peace is concluded.

3rd.  If Belgium observes a friendly attitude, Germany is ready, in co-operation with the authorities of the Government of Belgium, to buy for cash everything that is necessary for her troops, and to pay indemnities for damage done in Belgium; but if Belgium behaves in a hostile manner against the troops, and in particular places difficulties in the way of their advance by opposition by the fortifications of the Meuse, or by the destruction of roads, railways, tunnels, or other works, Germany will be obliged to consider Belgium as an enemy.

In that case Germany will enter into no agreement with the kingdom, but will allow the further relationship of the two States to be left to the decision of arms.  The German Government feels that it is justified in hoping that this eventuality will not materialize and that the Belgian Government will know how to take appropriate measures to prevent its materialization.  In that case the friendly relations which unite the two neighboring States will become closer and more lasting.

Such is the German note.  It will be noticed that there is no question of the alleged entry of French aviators and officers into Belgium, as has been stated in several papers here.  The document, in fact, knocks that fable on the head.  The only reason given for the violation of Belgian territory is the alleged intention of the French Army to march upon Givet and Namur.  This assertion is supported by no proof, and is denied by the French Government, which officially declared to Belgium and England its intention of not violating Belgian territory.  On the contrary, the premeditated intention of Germany to violate Belgian neutrality is proved in the most irrefutable way, namely, by the affirmation of the German Secretary of State himself, and by that of the German Chancellor.