3rd August
10,000 men in Boston are laid off as shipments to Russia and Austria have stopped.
Belgium refuses the German ultimatum, which demanded free passage of German troops through the country. King Albert of Belgium in response to Kaiser Wilhelm: “What does he take me for?” and orders bridges over the Meuse to be destroyed and commands Liége fortresses “to hold to the end…”
German General Staff expects Belgium to offer no resistance other than a small show of force.
|