As painted by the German Chancellor

It is well known that France granted loans to Russia only under the condition that it develop its Polish fortresses and railroads against us; also that England and France regarded Belgium as their route of advance against us. We must protect ourselves politically and militarily against this, and also insure our economic development.

As I said on Aug. 19, we are not the ones who are threatening the small nations. We are battling in this struggle, forced upon us, not to subjugate foreign nations, but to protect our life and freedom. This war remains for the German Government what it was in the beginning and what has been maintained in every pronunciamento—a defensive war of the German Nation for its future.

Von Bethmann-Hollweg.
Reichstag, December 9, 1915.