Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-16
PRESIDENT REFUSES
TO ACT ON BELGIAN
CRUELTY COMPLAIN
Commission Protesting Ger.
man Atrocities Learns Az.
tion Now Would Be Pre-.
mature, Unwise and Incon.
sistent.

WASHINGTON, Sept. s.-R.,g,r-,.
bill Of complaint against the Cam
army was this afternoon laid hsta.
President Wilson, executive of the al,
neutral power among the great na,ions
A brief. carefully prepared Response h,
the President awaited the commissions.
who were accompanied by and in,ro
duced to President Wilson by Secrsto,,
OF State Bryan. T.. Havenith, Belsia,
minister, and attaches of the Belgian il.
CATION were also in the party.
The President reiterated the neutralitv
of the United States to the Belgians. Hs
said:
1t would be unwise, 1t would be prs
mature for single government. how.
ever fortunately separated from ths
present trouble, II would even be in
consistent with the neutral position o,
any nation, which like this has no part
In the contest, to form or express a
final judgment.
This was tho keynote Of Presidsn,
Wilson's reply to the Belgian commlsso
ers, who protested against the wrong.
which they declare their nation has suf.
fered from Germany in the present war
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
The Presidents address. in part was:
Permit me to say with most sincere
pleasure I receive you as representa-
tives of the King of the Begians, a
people for whom the people Of the
United States feel so strong friend
ship and admiration, King for whom
they entertain so sincere a respect; and
to express my hopes that we may have
many opportunities for earning and
deserving their regard. You are not
mistaken in believing that the people
of this country love justice, seek the
true paths of progress and have a
passionate regard for the rights Of
humanity.
l thank you for the document you
have put in my hands containing the
result of an investigation made by
Judicial Committee appointed by the
Belgian Government to look into the
matter of which you have come to
speak. It shall have my most at.
tentive perusal and most thoughtful
consideration. You will, am sure,
not expect me to say more.
Presently. I pray God, very soon this
war will be over. The day of account
ing will then come, when I take IL
for granted the nations of Europe will
assemble to determine a settlement
Where wrongs have been committed.
their consequences and the relative re.
sponsibility involved will be assessed.
The nations of the world have fortu-
nately by agreement made a plan for
such reckoning and settlement What
such a plan cannot compass, the opn.
ion of mankind. the final arbiter in all
such matters, will supply.
1t would be unwise, II would be pre-.
mature, however fortunately separ.
ated from the present struggle, Il
would even be inconsistent with tn.
neutral position of any nation which,
like this, has no part In the contest
to form or express a final judgment.
/ need not assure you that this con-
clusion. in which I instinctively feel
that you yourselves will concur, Is
spoken frankly because In warm
friendship and as the best means Of
perfect understanding between u.s.
an understanding based upon umtud
respect. admiration and cordlality.
BELGIUMs GRIEVANCES.
The complaints. as presented by Mn
:. Havenith. in part, were;
Since the very origin of its independ.
nee. Belgium has been declared neutral
n perpetuity. This neutrality, guaran'
eed by the Powers. has recently been
'iolated by one Of them.
THE consequences suffered by the Bel
'ldn HdllOH were not COHllntu puTtlg "
he harm that came by the forced march
f the invading army. This army not
My seized a great portion OF our terri
ory. but it committed incredible acts OF
iolence the nature of which is contrary
o the laws OF nations.
Peaceful inhabitants were massacret
efenseless women and children were out
aged. open and undefended towns were
estroyed; historical and religious monI'
amous library Of the University OF
.ouyain was made a prey to flames.
our Government has appointed a iuti'
ial commission to make an official In
cstigatiOn. so as to thoroughly and In
artially examine the facts and TO de-
armine the responsibility therefor, and
will have the honor eXcellency. TO hsha
Yer to you the proceedings of the ln'
uiry
"The American people have always dr.
layed their respect for justice. the'
aarch for progress and an instructive a.
ichment for the laws of humanity. Theh
Jre, they have won a moral infuehs
hiCh is recognized by the entire world.
for this reason that Belgium, bound
he is to YOU by ties of commerce an
lcreasing friendship. turns 10 the amer
an people at this time to let II kno'
he real truth OF the present situato1
esolved to continue uniinching defens
its sovereignty ana independence
GEMS it it's duty 10 bring to the altsf
on OF the civilized world the humeron
nd grave breaches Of the laws OF s'
ons of which she has been a victim
AT the very moment We We're LEAVING
elgium, the King recalled 10 US his t}
} the United States and the vivid ali
rong impression your powerful ana
rile civilization left upon his mind,