File No. 763.72/365
The French Chargé d’Affaires (Clausse) to the Secretary of State
Manchester, Massachusetts, August 11, 1914.
[Received August 13.]
[Translation]
Mr. Secretary of State: The Government of the Republic has positive knowledge, despite the declarations of the Austro-Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and of the Ambassador of Austria at Paris to the contrary, that Austrian troops have entered Germany on their way to the French frontier. These troops enabling the Berlin Government to use the forces whose place they take in German territory had to be considered by my Government as unquestionably operating against France, in point of law and of fact.
The Ambassador of the Republic at Vienna has consequently been ordered to ask for his passports. The Ambassador of Austria-Hungary at Paris has likewise asked for his passports and every arrangement has been made by my Government to insure his departing under the usual conditions of international courtesy.
I have the honor to bring these events to your excellency’s knowledge.
Be pleased [etc.]