(5) Telegram from the German Ambassador in London (Prince Lichnowsky) to the German Chancellor, August 1.
The British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Sir Edward Grey, has just communicated with me by telephone asking if I could give a Positive assurance that in the event of France remaining neutral during a Russo-German war, we shall not attack France, I replied that I would take upon myself the responsibility of giving such an assurance, (Signed) Prince Lichnowsky. (8) Telegram from the German Emperor to King George, August 1.
T have just received a communication from your Government offering to guarantee the neutrality of France on condition that Germany will undertake not to attack France. The mobilization which I ordered this afternoon on both eastern and western frontiers must be completed, technical considerations rendering completion necessary on both fron' A counter order is now impossible, for I much regret that your telegram arrived too late. If France will offer me her neutrality, which neutrality must be guaranteed by the whole army and fleet of Great Britain, then assuredly I will refrain from attacking France, and shall direct my troops to the other objective. I hope that France will not be nervous. My troops on the frontier are just now at this moment receiving my telegraphic and tele-orders not to cross the French frontier.
(Signed) Witneum.
The German Conditions, (7) Telegram from the German Chancellor to the German Ambassador in London, August 1.
Germany is ready to accept the British offer on condition that Britain will guarantee by her military and naval power the unconditional neutrality of France in the Russo-German conflict. The German mobilization proceeds to-day asareply tothe Russian challenge. The orders were given before the British proposal had been received here. Therefore our dispositions on the French frontier cannot be changed, but we undertake that until seven o'clock on August 3 our troops shall not cross the French frontier conditionally upon Great Britain assenting to our proposition before that time.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.