Correspondence respecting the European Crisis
The deciding factor leading to Britain's declaration of war with Germany was the issue of Belgian neutrality, which is discussed in this Command Paper on the European Crisis. In order to launch a rapid attack on France, Germany requested free passage through Belgium. If Britain allowed this, the result would be a transgression of the Treaty of London 1839, which committed Britain to safeguard Belgian neutrality.
Title
Command Paper containing correspondence respecting the European Crisis
Date
August 1914
Catalogue number
Parliamentary Archives, SAM/A/45