Gerrit Smith Quotes
The only ground on which a neutral State can claim respect at the hands of belligerents is, that, so far as she is concerned, their rights are protected.
Smith, Gerrit. Speeches of Gerrit Smith in Congress. Mason Brothers, 1855.
1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma
Germany had demanded that Belgium allow German troops to cross Belgium to the French frontier. However, King Albert was concerned that this would be a de facto German occupation of Belgium and asked for help. The British tried diplomacy but things were out of anyone’s control and the First World War ensued.
England in this quotation claims the right to interfere in the internal affairs of another nation if there is mismanagement or crises AND her national interests are affected.
The plan was to have an American agent with a few marines make an alliance with a rival to the throne of Algiers and depose the existing ruler with American “special forces”.
England is entering the war against Germany The German war plan called for attacking France through Belgium. However, Belgium was intent on remaining neutral. International law prohibited a neutral country from allowing troops of either side to enter and maneuver in its territory. ({642178}). When Germany moved into Belgium, the Belgians resisted. England had a treaty with Belgium that it would protect Belgian neutrality in the event of any war in Europe. England then sided with Belgium {642175} and committed to send troops to help Belgium oust the Germans. The Kaiser was furious and could not understand that the English would go to war when there was no economic need or advantage for them to do so. Wilhelm II did not have much respect for treaties, promises, or honor other than military honor. He had earlier convinced himself that the English would not fight for a scrap of paper, especially in a land war. {642105}
Gerrit Smith, also spelled Gerritt, was a leading American social reformer, abolitionist, politician, and philanthropist. Spouse to Ann Carroll Fitzhugh, Smith was a candidate for President of the United States in 1848, 1856, and 1860, but only served 18 months in the federal government—in Congress as a Free Soil Party Representative, in 1853–4.
