Schlieffen planning and the Belgian trigger

The earlier German plan focused on France and Russia while giving too little weight to Britain. The Schlieffen Plan existed in many drafts, some of which contemplated preserving Belgian railways, paying compensation, and withdrawing quickly after France was defeated. Schlieffen concentrated forces in the right-wing blow, while Moltke distributed them more cautiously; removing the BEF and the Battle of Mons could improve the plan's prospects. Britain cared about Belgium and the Netherlands because hostile control of the Low Countries changes the practical invasion geography of the Channel. The issue was a maritime security problem as well as a diplomatic one.