French reply they will respect the neutrality of Belgium.

Germans refuse to reply saying it would disclose their intentions.

Cabinet discuss the responses but is still divided and uncertain what to do. The neutralists in the cabinet get the cabinet to agree even if Germany invades Belgium Britain will not send an Expeditionary force to the continent.

British Foreign Secretary tells French ambassador of the cabinet decision. He says it does not mean Britain under no circumstances would assist France but France must make her own decision without reckoning on British help.

The ambassador thinks the British are going to abandon France. The senior Foreign Office official says angrily to the Foreign Secretary “you will render us a by-word among nations”.