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Origin of the War of 1914 615 settlement of the issues between Austria and Serbia, but Germany was determined to prevent such an outcome and to back up Austria. The designs of Germany were now clear to British states- men. When, on August i, the German ambassador asked whether England would remain neutral if Germany promised not to violate Belgian territory and urged the British to state the conditions of their neutrality, including a guarantee of the neutrality of France, the suggestion was firmly rejected. Furthermore, on August 2, the British cabinet informed France that the British fleet would give all protection possible if a hostile German fleet came into the Channel or North Sea. Tv/o days later, learning that German troops were making their way into Belgium, Sir Edward Grey sent an ultimatum to Ger- many demanding assurances within twelve hours that she would respect Belgian neutrality. The German chancellor replied that military necessity required that the German armies cross Belgium. He told the English ambassador in Berlin that England ought not to enter the war just for the sake of "a scrap of paper." This contemptuous reference to the solemn treaties by which the Euro- pean powers had guaranteed the neutrality of Belgium roused the anger of the entire outside world. It was the invasion of Belgium which arrayed the English people solidly behind the government when, on August 4, 1914, it declared war on Germany. 1117. The Powers at War in 1914. Japan speedily declared war on Germany, and early in November Turkey decided to join the Central Powers. So within three months Germany, Austria- Hungary, and Turkey were pitted against Serbia, Russia, France, Belgium, England, Montenegro, and Japan. Italy declared her- self neutral and not bound to help Austria and Germany, since in the Triple Alliance of 1882 she had pledged her aid only in case they were attacked ; she considered that they were now the aggressors and that she was consequently free to keep out of the struggle. Immediately upon the public announcement that a state of war existed between England and Germany the Germans turned all their pent-up hatred upon England and accused her of being