German Chancellor Freiman has a discussion with the Belgium Foreign Minister..
Chancellor Freiman: "Congratulations!"
Belgium Foreign Minister: "Uh oh..."
Chancellor: "What are you worried about? I am bringing an offer of German friendship..."
Foreign Minister: "That's what I am afraid of..."
Chancellor: "In these troubled times...with war likely to break out anytime...the German people are ready to offer Belgium--along with Holland and Denmark--protection!"
Foreign Minister: "But the Treaty of London guarantees our neutrality."
Chancellor: "There is a loophole in that treaty."
Foreign Minister: "What loophole?"
Chancellor: "Germany did not sign it."
Foreign Minister: "You are not going to honor a treaty signed by a Prussian dominated German Confederation?"
Chancellor: "What is this German Confederation? Never heard of it..."
Foreign Minister: "Ok...what are the terms of your...offer?"
Chancellor: "Very generous. In return for our sending an army to protect you...we are asking for a slight economic contribution. Here is the list."
Foreign Minister: "What! We can't meet these demands! Belgians will starve."
Chancellor: "Not true. We have done the calculations--there will be enough food to meet caloric requirements."
Foreign Minister: "And...what if we refuse?"
Chancellor: "We will consider that an act of war."
Foreign Minister: "For not agreeing to Germany occupying our country!"
Chancellor: "Our best legal minds have assured me of the strength of our legal position here..."
Foreign Ministee: "Damn lawyers..."
Chancellor Freiman: "Congratulations!"
Belgium Foreign Minister: "Uh oh..."
Chancellor: "What are you worried about? I am bringing an offer of German friendship..."
Foreign Minister: "That's what I am afraid of..."
Chancellor: "In these troubled times...with war likely to break out anytime...the German people are ready to offer Belgium--along with Holland and Denmark--protection!"
Foreign Minister: "But the Treaty of London guarantees our neutrality."
Chancellor: "There is a loophole in that treaty."
Foreign Minister: "What loophole?"
Chancellor: "Germany did not sign it."
Foreign Minister: "You are not going to honor a treaty signed by a Prussian dominated German Confederation?"
Chancellor: "What is this German Confederation? Never heard of it..."
Foreign Minister: "Ok...what are the terms of your...offer?"
Chancellor: "Very generous. In return for our sending an army to protect you...we are asking for a slight economic contribution. Here is the list."
Foreign Minister: "What! We can't meet these demands! Belgians will starve."
Chancellor: "Not true. We have done the calculations--there will be enough food to meet caloric requirements."
Foreign Minister: "And...what if we refuse?"
Chancellor: "We will consider that an act of war."
Foreign Minister: "For not agreeing to Germany occupying our country!"
Chancellor: "Our best legal minds have assured me of the strength of our legal position here..."
Foreign Ministee: "Damn lawyers..."