ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that how energetically the British Government protested against the idea of being drawn into a conflict on Serbia's account, and how tenaciously they intervened in the interests of European peace. It also shows that the pacific attitude of the British Foreign Secretary was transformed within a few days. The British Government accomplished an aim by reminding the people of their national dignity and honour-that is to say, of the respect which must be observed by a great nation for the obligations which it has contracted. The fact that English public opinion became absolutely unanimous in favour of war was not altogether because Belgium had been violated, but because it cities had been savagely laid waste, monuments burned. The exodus of the unfortunate Belgians has roused all the neutral countries against Germany, including even those, like Switzerland, which were at first attached to Germany.
