Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-09-24

All the horrors his soldiers had to bear
from the uncivillzed treatment of the
Franco-Beg ian "franctireurs" those civ
ilians who, from behind haycOcks and out
of lofts and cellar windows, men, wo-
men and children, shot upon the German
troops and upon the German Red Cross
while these we're on their peaceful ana
orderly march through Belgum-wiIl be
kept silent no longer
Is 1t to be wondered that out Of this
disgraccful treatment, this unhclic'nblc
uniustness and inhumanlty has risen the
German cry for retaliation and compen-
sation7 Can one blame Germany for in
ssting that this undignlhed slaughter Of
her young sons he stopped, ut all c)St9?
For ondmust rcmemberthatG Germany was
not warning against the Iolgians, and TINT
the German government was prepared 10
pay full reparation for every use made Of
| Belgian food and shelter by tho German
troops on their march through TO France.
! one must remember that the Belgian GOV
eminent refused reparation, protested that
her neutrality had been broken aud
abused by Germany, and in every way
permitted the disGracoful treatment Of
| Germans at the hands Of her pc1-aufs
and civilians. to continue until war was
officially declared. Always Keeping these
facts In mind, one canot blame. I'm any
ono instance. GermanY's action against
| neutral" Belgium.
So much for France. It IS unnccesaa p"
by this time. no doubt, 10 mention tho
atrocities II England Germany bitter
est foe Any fair-nindod person, after
req ding the exchange Of kilograms be-
tween kals.r and car on tho one hand.
and between the kaiser, Prince Heinrich
and the king of England on th" other,
must acknowledge. (Mr. Lyman Abbott
to the contrary, that blame for tho pros
ent European conditions cannot with JUS
tice be placed upon the conscience of the
kaiser But rather, that In the first i'm
stance Russia was 20 blame, ana that
above all. tho final decision lay in n,
hands Of England. Tho attitude Of S.i
Edward Grey has reused tho indignation
of many a iust-mindel Englishman an.
the protesting voices Of half Of Englan
are raised against the governments dis
honest steps I'm the matter Of this word
war
We Americans. safe In Germany, hu
many pcnniless and thrown upon tn
evcr-roady charity Of tho Germans. hop
and pray that our country will in futur
never forget what has been done for II
under the protection Of the kaiser
friendly hand We hope that no furthe
malicious and false reports Will be he
, loved and that, In every WY, tho Amer
lean press will strive to EXPRESS the ap
probation Of Americans who, stranded o'
: German shores, are treated with kind
uess. love and respect on every hand
Endless Instances, proving the Eenn'n
feeling Of good will and friendliness To
ward Americans. and the protection a
, American interests all over Germany
y could he Forthcoming, We're renctitio
u OF facts necessary to convince our peo
-. pie at home. We feel, however. that no
! many words will he needed to SGT matter
straight before the iustice-loving eyes O
the American public wien ono stops t
. remember how very close and warm tn
Il existing bond between tn" two nation
= has been knit. and when one is convince
: that Germany has right" entirely upo
~ her side.
Yours very truly,
DOROTHY l.. TRGGG.