BERLIN. Mnstr. von Jagow of the Bethmann-Hollweg Ministry has been formally sacked due to his vocal opposition to the ongoing defensive war against the imperial powers of France, Russia and the United Kingdom, a gang of provocateurs seeking to destroy the common European peace in favour of a Slavic-dominated continent.
The continued efforts of our bold troops on the frontier and surging Russian invasion in the east has exposed the barbarity of the alliance which fights against us. Starting reports of French soldiers leaving one of our brave officers crucified as a warning has left the nation outraged. Prince Lichnowsky, Jagow's replacement, has issued strong condemnation of this blatant breach of conduct.
In similar news, the wonderful Generalobert von Moltke has resigned due to ailing health. He has been replaced by General Erich von Falkenhayn.
Lastly, the Chancellor has stated Germany shall continue to uphold national obligations from peacetime, including the recent Spanish contract, and wishes to maintain cordial relations with all non-participatory powers in matters of trade.
August 17th, 1914
Delivered to relevant Foreign Ministries,
With the outbreak of fighting in full between mutliple combatants in Europe, as well as affairs in the Adriatic as well as the Aegean, the Tsardom of Bulgaria again reiterates it's commitment to neutrality in this ongoing conflict. We have suffered the harsh blows of war before, and have no desire to leap back into fruitless bloodshed.
Address by King Albert to the Belgian Parliament, 4 August 1914
Gentlemen:
Never, since 1839, has a more solemn hour struck for Belgium: the integrity of our territory is threatened. The very force of our righteous cause, the sympathy which Belgium, proud of her free institutions and her moral victories, has always received from other nations, and the necessity of our autonomous existence in respect of the equilibrium of Europe, make us still hopeful that the dreaded emergency will not be realized.
But if our hopes are betrayed, if we are forced to resist the invasion of our soil, and to defend our threatened homes, this duty, however hard it may be, will find us armed and resolved upon the greatest sacrifices. Even now, in readiness for any eventuality, our valiant youth is up in arms, firmly resolved, with the traditional tenacity and composure of the Belgians, to defend our threatened country.
In the name of the nation, I give it a brotherly greeting. Everywhere in Flanders and Wallonia, in the towns and in the countryside, one single feeling binds all hearts together: the sense of patriotism. One single vision fills all minds: that of our independence endangered. One single duty imposes itself upon our wills: the duty of stubborn resistance.
In these solemn circumstances two virtues are indispensable: a calm but unshaken courage, and the close union of all Belgians. Both virtues have already asserted themselves, in a brilliant fashion, before the eyes of a nation full of enthusiasm. The irreproachable mobilization of our army, the multitude of voluntary enlistments, the devotion of the civil population, the abnegation of our soldiers' families, have revealed in an unquestionable manner the reassuring courage which inspires the Belgian people.
It is the moment for action.
I have called you together, gentlemen, in order to enable the Legislative Chambers to associate themselves with the impulse of the people in one and the same sentiment of sacrifice. You will understand, gentlemen, how to take all those immediate measures which the situation requires, in respect both of the war and of public order. No one in this country will fail in his duty.
If the foreigner, in defiance of that neutrality whose demands we have always scrupulously observed, violates our territory, he will find all the Belgians gathered about their sovereign, who will never betray his constitutional oath, and their Government, invested with the absolute confidence of the entire nation. I have faith in our destinies; a country which is defending itself conquers the respect of all; such a country does not perish!
