On 2 August, as small parties of German soldiers crossed the French border, Messimy told Joffre that he had the freedom to order French troops across the German but not the Belgian frontier.
Da tyske tropper den 2. august begyndte at krydse den franske grænse fortalte Messimy Joffre, at han havde frihed til at beordre franske tropper over den tyske men ikke den belgiske grænse.