Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-09-17
WILSON REPLIES
TO THE BELGIANS
President Says il Would Be Unwise
for Neutral Government to Form
or Express Judgment,
pRAYs DAILY WAR WILL CEASE
Hieh Commission Declares Germans
We're brutal, Attacked Defense-
Iess and Destroyed Prop
erty I'm .Invasion.

WASHINGTON. Sept ie.-1he Belgian
commission which comes to protest
against alleged German atrocities in Bel
gium, was received IN the east room OF
the White House today by President Will
son.
Accompanied by Minister Haventh, the
commissioners arrived at the state de-
partment Just before 2 o'clock and were
received by Secretary Bryan who took
them to the White House.
wilson's Statement.
President Wilson said TO the commits
sion:
Permit me TO say with what sincere
pleasure l receive you as representatives
of the king OF the Belgians, a people for
whom the people Of the United States feel
so strong a friendship and admiration; a
king for whom they entertain so sincere
a respect and express my hope that we
may have many opportunities OF eaESahB
and deserving their regard.
You are not mistaken in believing that
the people OF this country TO give justice.
seek the true paths OF progress. and have
passionate regard for the right of hu-
manity.
Thanks for Document.
II thank you for the document you
have put in my hands containing the re-
suit OF an investigation made by a
judicial committee appointed by the Bel
glan government TO look in the matter
OF which you have come to speak. / will
give II my most attentive persual and
my most thoughtful consideration.
You will, ! am sure, not expect me TO
say more. Presently. | pray God very
soon, this war will be over. The day of
accounting will then come, when, 1 take
It, for granted. the nations Of Europe will
assemble to determine a settlement.
Where wrongs have been committed.
their consequence and the relative re-
sponsibility involved will be assessed.
1T would be unwise. u will be pre-
mature for a single government how
ever fortunately separated from the pres
ent struggle. 1T would be inconsistent
with the neutral position OF any nation.
which like this has no part in the con-
test to form or express a final judg-
ment."
Belgian Statement.
The text of the statement OF the Bel
gian high commission was as follows:
'Bxcellency, his majesty. the king OF
the Beigians. has charged us with a spe-
eial mission TO the president OF the United
States.
Let me say to you how much we feel
ourselves honored to have been called 10
express the sentiments Of our king and OF
our whole nation to the illustrious states
man whom the American people have
called 70 the highest dignity OF the com
mOnwealth.
AS far as l am concerned. have al
ready been able, during previous trip,
TO fully appreciate the noble virtues of the
American nation and | am happy 10 take
this opportunity TO express the admlra-
ton with which they inspired me.
Over since its independence was first
established. Belgium has been declared
neutral In Its peTpetuity. This neutrality
guaranteed by the powers. has recently
been violated by one OF them. Had We
consented TO abandon our neutrality for
the benefit OF one OF the belIigerents we
would have betrayed our obligations to-
wards the others, and It was the sense Of
our international obligations. as well as
that OF our dignity and honor. that has
driven us to resistance.
The consequences suffered by the Bel
CONTINUED on Page Two, Column Four)