Germany's first act was to rush her troops across the borders of Belgium, straight toward Paris. Belgium, of course, was too small a state to stand against the armies of her stronger neighbors. On this account the great nations of western Europe had agreed never to invade Belgium, and now England felt bound to go to her defense. [Sidenote: =Events at sea=] British, French, and Belgian soldiers, fighting in whatever order they could, checked the on-coming masses of Germans. The Allies stopped them at the Battle of the Marne, far within France. On the sea England's mighty navy quickly put an end to all German shipping. She kept the German navy from venturing even into the North Sea. But German submarines could not be so easily blocked up, and slipped out and sunk Allied vessels. [Sidenote: =Opinion favors the Allies=] =234. The American Government Neutral.= When Germany first attacked Belgium, some people believed that the United States should break off relations with her at once. Our government declared itself neutral. President Wilson asked the people to be friendly in their dealings with all the nations at war. But Germany's headlong haste in declaring war, and her methods of waging it made most Americans anxious for the success of the Allies. [Sidenote: =Germany protests=] The European countries were too busy fighting to raise all the food or forge all the guns their armies needed. They were producing these things on a very great scale, but had to buy vast quantities besides. The United States was the country best able to supply them. The great steel factories of the country worked night and day making shells, tanks, and war material of all kinds. Since England controlled the seas, everything we made went to the Allies. Germany protested strongly against our supplying her enemies with the means to fight her. But America, not being at war, had a right to trade with all countries. To give up this right would have been to take sides with Germany. American merchants were willing to manufacture goods for Germany, but she could not send ships to get them. =235. Disputes with England and Germany.= Our government had a just cause of complaint against England. Her acts were not always strictly lawful. She stopped our ships on the high seas and searched them, destroying mail which she thought was intended for Germany. When the United States objected, she promised to make good all losses. [Illustration: THE LUSITANIA] [Sidenote: =The Lusitania=]