File No. 763.72/99
The Minister in Belgium (Whitlock) to the Secretary of State
Brussels, August 3, 1914, midnight.
[Received August 4, 9 a.m.]
[Telegram]
From information which I trust Department will respect as confidential until ultimatum is made public here or in some other capital, I learn that Germany sought to justify demand for consent [Page 40] to begin military operations in Belgium by asserting knowledge that French intended violating Belgian neutrality. Belgian reply was categorical refusal. Although time fixed by ultimatum expired this morning and German patrols are on Belgian soil, no other overt act appears to have been committed. German Minister remains and negotiations are said to have been renewed. As a result of this mystifying delay, Government organ speaks in less despairing tone and it is suspected that Government may temporize if possible until England makes known her position. Strong popular anti-German feeling manifested here. King opens special session of Parliament to-morrow morning.