United Kingdom declaration of war upon Germany (1914)

Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914. The declaration was a result of German refusal to remove troops from neutral Belgium. In 1839 the United Kingdom, France, and Prussia (the predecessor of the German Empire) had signed the Treaty of London which guaranteed Belgium's sovereignty.[1][2]

Order of events

On 3 August 1914 Sir Edward Grey, the Foreign Secretary, announced to the House of Commons information he had received from the Belgian Legation in London. He said that Belgian officials had informed him that they had received a notice from Germany proposing to Belgium friendly neutrality, covering free passage on Belgian territory, and promising maintenance of independence of the kingdom and possessions at the conclusion of peace, and threatening, in case of refusal, to treat Belgium as an enemy. A time limit of twelve hours was fixed for the reply. Grey then informed the house Belgium had informed him they would enter into no agreement with Germany.[3]

On 4 August 1914 H. H. Asquith, the Prime Minister, made the following statement in the House of Commons:[4]

The King of the Belgians has made an appeal to His Majesty the King for diplomatic intervention on behalf of Belgium. His Majesty's Government are also informed that the German Government has delivered to the Belgian Government a Note proposing friendly neutrality entailing free passage through Belgian territory and promising to maintain the independence and integrity of the Kingdom and its possessions, at the conclusion of peace, threatening in case of refusal to treat Belgium as an enemy. An answer was requested within twelve hours. We also understand that Belgium has categorically refused this as a flagrant violation of the law of nations. His Majesty's Government are bound to protest against this violation of a Treaty to which Germany is a party in common with themselves, and must request an assurance that the demand made upon Belgium may not be proceeded with, and that her neutrality will be respected by Germany. You should ask for an immediate reply.

On 5 August 1914 Asquith told the House of Commons:[5]

Our Ambassador at Berlin received his passports at seven o'clock last evening, and since eleven o'clock last night a state of war has existed between Germany and ourselves. We have received from our Minister at Brussels the following telegram: "I have just received from Minister for Foreign Affairs—" that is the Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs— "a note of which the following is a literal translation: 'Belgian Government regret to have to inform His Majesty's Government that this morning armed forces of Germany penetrated into Belgian territory in violation of engagements assumed by treaty.'"

During the same meeting, the House of Commons voted to approve a credit of £100,000,000 (£9,700,000,000 in 2016) for the war effort.

Winston Churchill later wrote:

It was 11 o'clock at night – 12 by German time – when the ultimatum expired. The windows of the Admiralty were thrown wide open in the warm night air. Under the roof from which Nelson had received his orders were gathered a small group of admirals and captains and a cluster of clerks, pencil in hand, waiting. Along the Mall from the direction of the Palace the sound of an immense concourse singing "God save the King" floated in. On this deep wave there broke the chimes of Big Ben; and, as the first stroke of the hour boomed out, a rustle of movement swept across the room. The war telegram, which meant "Commence hostilities against Germany," was flashed to the ships and establishments under the White Ensign all over the world.

I walked across the Horse Guards Parade to the Cabinet room and reported to the Prime Minister and the Ministers who were assembled there that the deed was done.

— Winston Churchill[6]

See also

References
  1. Cook, Chris; Stevenson, John (2005). The Routledge Companion to European History since 1763. Routledge. p. 121. ISBN 9780415345835.
  2. Why did Britain go to War?, The National Archives, retrieved 30 April 2016
  3. "GERMANY AND BELGIUM".
  4. "VIOLATION OF BELGIAN NEUTRALITY".
  5. "Belgian Neutrality Violated by Germany".
  6. Churchill, Winston S. (1938). "X: The Mobiliization of the Navy". The World Crisis 1911-1918. 1 (New ed.). London: Odhams Press Limited. p. 186.
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