The following Raemaeker cartoon appeared in August 1914 and was later published by J Murray Allison in Raemaker’s Cartoon History of the War with the following text …
We are now in a state of necessity, and necessity knows no law. Our troops have occupied Luxembourg and perhaps are, already on Belgian soil. Gentlemen, that is contrary to the dictates of international law. It is true that the French Government has declared at Brussels that France is willing to respect the neutrality of Belgium, so long as her opponent respects it.
We knew, however, that France stood ready for invasion. France could wait, but we could not wait. A French movement upon our flank upon the lower Rhine might have been disastrous. So we were compelled to override the just protest of the Luxembourg and Belgian Governments. Von Bethmann-Hollweg, Reichstag, Berlin, 4th August, 1914.
References
J. Murray Allison, Raemaker’s Cartoon History of the War Vol. 1, The Century Co., New York, 1918, p.8
Compiled Geoff Barker, Research and Collection Services Coordinator, Parramatta Council Heritage Centre, 2014