The Belgian Grey Book, dealing with the events preced- ing
the outbreak of the war, which was summarized in the Times on Wednesday, throws a vivid light upon the wolf- and-lamb methods of German diplomacy. Up to the last moment the German Government gave no sign of its intentions. The German Minister, though without official instructions, gave the impression that there was no intention of violating Belgian neutrality. On August 2nd, the Minister 'stated in a conversation with the Belgian Foreign Minister that " he [the German Minister] had not been instructed hitherto to make an official communication, but that Belgium knew his personal opinion upon the security Belgium was entitled to feel in regard to her eastern neighbour." At 5 p.m. on the same day the German ultimatum was presented, demanding permission for the passage of German troops, and thirty-six hours later war was declared.
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