WWI The 'Scrap of Paper'

The Treaty of London of 1839,known as the First Treaty of London/ the Convention of 1839 / and the London Treaty of Separation. Signed on 19 April 1839 between Treaty of London signed by Palmerston (Britain), Sylvan van de Weyer (Belgium), Senfft (Austria), H Sebastiani (France), Bulow (Prussia), Pozzo di Borgo (Russia). Article VII, required Belgium to remain perpetually neutral, and by implication committed the signatory powers to guard that neutrality in the event of invasion. German invasion of Belgium drew Britain into war against Germany. German Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg asked how Britain could go to war over a 'Scrap of Paper'. The History of the Great European War vol III