1914: Then Came Armageddon

Belgian Crossroads

“This illegal action – I speak openly – we shall seek to repair this illegal action which we are committing as soon as our military goal is achieved.”

Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg, 4 August 1914

The Schlieffen Plan

The German offensive strategy, the Schlieffen Plan, supported by the German High Command, necessitated invasion of France by crossing through neutral Belgium to surround Paris, a violation of international law Germany openly acknowledged.

In a speech before the Reichstag on 4 August 1914, Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg explained, “Our troops have … already trodden Belgian soil. This is contrary to the prescriptions of international law. This illegal action – I speak openly – we shall seek to repair this illegal action which we are committing as soon as our military goal is achieved.” Britain viewed German cynicism about international law dubiously and often cited the violation of Belgian neutrality as a key reason for their entrance into the conflict.

Panorama of Brussels — Panoramic postcard of Brussels, the capital of Belgium. A German soldier sent this postcard back to his family in Heidelberg in 1916.

“Just for a Scrap of Paper”

The title of this book, Scraps of Paper, is a reference to German Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg’s speech on 4 August 1914 in which he called treaties securing Belgian neutrality “scraps of paper.” The book offers English translations of German proclamations made in Belgium and France. In the displayed example from 4 August 1914, Germany announces its “very great regret that German troops find themselves compelled to cross the Belgian frontier.”

Historic document, text in French — The “scrap of paper” in question states, ‘Belgium, within the limits specified within Articles I, II, and IV, shall form an independent and perpetually neutral State. It shall be bound to observe such neutrality towards all other States.”

A woman views a proclamation posted on a wall. Title reads "Scraps of Paper: German Proclamations in Belgium and France — Scraps of Paper: German Proclamations in Belgium and France (1916)

Belgian Neutrality

While Germany did violate Belgian neutrality, these documents suggest that the British government also planned to send troops into Belgium in the event of a German invasion of France. They also indicate that Belgium was aware of this British plan and was itself taking precautions against a German invasion.

Document 1. British documentation recounting conversations between Great Britain and Belgium concerning allied armies moving through Belgium in case of German combat. — Document No.1 recounts a series of conversations between Major-General Ducarme and Lieutenant-Colonel Barnardiston. It refers to Britain and Belgium as “allied armies” and reveals a plan for British troops to be moved into Belgium in order to combat Germany.

Document 2. Further conversations between Belgian and British representatives in an official capacity. Official documentation. — Document No.1 recounts a series of conversations between Major-General Ducarme and Lieutenant-Colonel Barnardiston. It refers to Britain and Belgium as “allied armies” and reveals a plan for British troops to be moved into Belgium in order to combat Germany.

Early Battles

Postcard of a soldier looking over a Belgian camp — “Sunset in a Belgian Camp”

German postcard of destroyed Belgian government building. — “Sunset in a Belgian Camp”