In 1870 Bismarck was the attacking party, and he succeeded in interchanging the parts.

We also succeeded, but in an opposite sense.
4 Then came our greatest disaster: the German entry into Belgium.
Had England remained neutral we should not have lost the war.

In his book, "Ursachen und Ausbruck des Krieges," page 172, Jagow tells how on August 4, towards the close of the Reichstag session, the English Ambassador appeared there and again asked whether Germany would respect Belgium's neutrality.

At that time German troops were already on Belgian soil.

On hearing that, the Ambassador retired, but, returning in a few hours, demanded a declaration, to be handed in before midnight, that the further advance of the German troops into Belgium would cease, otherwise he was instructed to ask for his passport and England would then protect Belgium.