With the failure of diplomatic efforts to prevent war as a result of the deliberate intention of Germany to bring about the conflict, the great German war machine was put in motion. It was anticipated by the General Staff that the passage across Belgium would be effected without difficulty and with the acquiescence of King and people. How wrong was this judgment is one of the curious facts of history. The Germans discovered this error when their armies presented themselves before the strong fortress of Liege, the first fortified place in their path. Its capture was necessary for the successful passage of the German troops. [Sidenote: Importance of the delay.] It was captured, but at a cost in time and in their arrangement of plans which were a great element in the great thrust--back at the Marne. THE DEFENCE OF LIEGE CHARLES BRONNE English Review, April, 1915. [Sidenote: Germany invades Belgium.] On Sunday, August 2nd, while the news was going round that a train had entered Luxembourg with German forces, the German Minister at Brussels delivered an ultimatum to Belgium demanding the free passage through our territory of the German armies. The following day, Monday, the Belgian Government replied that the nation was determined to defend its neutrality. The same night the German advanced posts entered our territory. Tuesday morning they were before Vise, at Warsage, at Dolhain, and at Stavelot. The bridges of Vise and Argenteau and the tunnels of Troisponts and Nas-Proue were blown up. [Sidenote: Atrocities begin.] From this day the atrocities committed by the pioneers of German "Kultur" began at Vise with fire and the massacre of inhabitants. On Thursday, they were to continue at Warsage and Berneau. On Wednesday, August 5th, the investment of Liege began, the bombardment being specially directed to the north-west sector which comprises the forts of Evegnee, Barchon, and Fleron. In the afternoon the attack extended as far as the fort of Chaudfontaine. The region attacked by the foe was thus that between the Meuse and the Vesdre, the beautiful country of Herve, where cornfields are followed by vineyards, where meadowland encroaches on the sides of narrow but picturesque valleys, where small but thick woods conceal the number of the assailants. It was found necessary to destroy some prosperous little farms, several country houses, and pretty villas. This was but a prelude to the devastation brought by the soldiers of the Kaiser. The enemy was in force. Later it was known that around Liege were the 10th Prussian Army Corps from Aix-la-Chapelle on the way to Vise, the 7th Corps, which had passed through the Herve country, the 8th, which had entered through Stavelot, and also a brigade of the 11th Corps, making up a total of about 130,000 men. [Sidenote: Forts of Liege.]