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German units at the, western border, received from headquarters early in the morning of the 3rd of August 1914 the order to attack.
The telephone did not ring only with the troops at the Belgian border , but due to a malfunction of the telephone centre also by the troops at the Dutch border. When the commander of the Uhlanen, stationed at the Dutch border, asked for confirmation at the sector headquarters, he was ordered by a very irritated and annoyed general to advance immediately to the river Maas. Speed was essential!
The Dutch troops were unpleasant surprised but recovered remarkably fast, and the German troops encountered considerable resistance of the Dutch border troops with their 6-steel field guns. Was the Netherlands at war with Germany?
Mean while at The Hague. The complete cabinet of Prime minister Cort van der Linden gathered at the department of the PM. On the faces of the ministers you could read the tension. What were the last messages from the Province Limburg? And what should we do, who do we ask for help, how would the young Queen react?
The Prime minister summarized the situation as he was told by the Chief of Staff General Snijders. In the narrow part in Limburg between the places Sittard and Roermond a German cavalry attack was going on. The high command dispatched already reinforcements to the East and the passage through which the Germans advanced to the river Maas was now under attack in order to seal the passage of.
At half pas ten, the German ambassador, F. von Muller was demanded at the department of the Prime minister. The prime minister asked the ambassador explanation of what the Germans think they were doing. The ambassador handed over a letter in which Germany made apologies for the ‘’incident’’. Since The Hague is a very small city the gentlemen knew each other well. F. von Muller was requested to retreat to the Embassy of the German Empire and to wait for an answer of the Dutch Government.
Cort read the letter which explained that it was an undesired event, result of a technical failure. But since the attack was started the German government wanted to continue the advance to Belgium anyway with the troops it had by now on Dutch soil. Germany offered to generous repay of all damage done and made sure the squadrons Uhlanen left the Netherlands very soon. But when Dutch military units attack German troops war between the nations was inevitable.
Complications rose immediately. Several messages came from head quarters that German cavalry made a passage through the Maas and that some hundreds already crossed the river and continued their advance into Belgium. There were also reports of fire contact between Dutch and German soldiers. Rumors of the fighting was heard throughout the country, special editions of the news pares were sold out in minutes, people massed in front of bulletins in the cities to get some information from the front.
By this time it was time of the Prime minister to inform the Queen. He was driven by Daimler car to the palace at the Hague were the queen had her offices. At arrival he was immediately escorted to her office rooms where he meted a remarkable calm Queen Wilhelmina. During the conversation it was clear that she was already well informed of the utmost serious situation. She was apparently also informed by General Snijders. Her majesty was, despite she was young woman, considerable interested in military affairs and like to be informed regular by members of the General Staff. She was informed by the prime minister of the German statement of the attack and their proposal to resolve the situation. What are you suggest to do? She asked Cort.
The prime minster told her the two options;
The first option was; accept the German apologies and try to settle the case. If the attack really was the result of a technical failure it is better to save the country from a devastating war with an agreement.
The second option was; declare war to Germany, but not before a promise for help came from British and France on very short notice. The ambassadors of both countries were expected at the office of the Prime minister early in the afternoon.
The queen now asked direct what the best solution was. The prime minister told her the consequences of a settlement with Germany but also the disastrous consequences of a war with Germany. Without a clear statement of support from France and Britain negotiation with Germany need to continue in favor of a bloody unpredictable war, with the risk of complete occupation of the Netherlands by Germany and the un imaginary damage to human lives and property.
Despite the Queen wanted to defend honor of her country, she realized well the enormous damage a war would make. With hesitation she agreed with a settlement, under the condition that it would be honor full for her and the country.
When Cort van der Linden returned at his office, the ambassadors of France and Great Brittan were waiting. Both countries offered help, but at the same time made it clear that this support would not be large, since both countries needed their soldiers and military equipment at the front in Belgium and France were the Germans made a very fast advance. Belgium itself could note spare anything, the Belgians were already thank full that the refugees could pass the Dutch-Belgian border whit out problems and were provided with shelter and food.
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