The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-16
Belg1anCommissioners Received
at the White House.
The President Makes Them q
Diplomatic Speech.
MASSACRE THROUGH COUNTRY
Protest Recites Charges Of
German s<Outrages.o
Cities Of History Are Reduced
to Ashes and Ruin.

Washington, Sept. 16.-The Belgian
commission which comes to protest
against the alleged German atrocities
in Belgium. was received in the east
room, OF the White House by President
Wilson. Accompanied by Minister
Havenith, the commissioners assem-
bled at the state department just be-
fore p. m. and were received by
Secretary Bryan, who then took them
over to the White House.
mission:
Permit me to say with what sin
cere pleasure 1 receive you as repre-
sentatives OF the King of the Belgians,
a people for whom the people of the
United States feel SO strong a friend
ship and admiration, king for whom
they entertain so sincere a respect.
and express my hope that we may
have many opportunities of 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.
''It is a matter Of profound pride
to me that I am permitted for time
to represent such a people and to be
their spokesman, and 1 am honOred
that your king should have turned to
me in time of distress as to one who
would wish, on behalf of the people
he represents, to consider the claims
to the impartial sympathy of man
kind of a na.ion which deems itself
wronged.
81 thank you for the document you
have put in my hands containing the
result Of an investigation made by a
judicial committee appointed by the
Belgian government to look into the
matter of which you have come to
speak. 1t shall have my most atten-
tive perusa1 and my most thoughtful
consideration.
you will, I am sure, not expect me
to say more. Presently. I 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 consequences. and
the relative responsibility involved
will be assessed.
1.-The nations OF the world have fortu-
nately, by agreement. made a plan for
such reckoning and settlement. What
such a plan can not compass, the opin-
ion of mankind. the final arbiter in
such matter, will supply. 1t would be
unwise, it would be premature for
single government, however fortunate
ly separated from the present struggle,
it would be inconsistent with the neu-
trail position of any nation. which like
this has no part in the contest to form
or express a final judgment.
II need not assure yoC that this con-
clusion, in which feel that you your
selves concur, is spoken frankly be-
cause in warm friendship and as the
best means of perfect understanding
between us. an understanding based on
mutual respect, admiration and cordi-
atty.
you are most welcome and we are
greatly honored that you should have
chosen us as the friends before whom
you could lay any matter Of vital con-
sequence to yourselves, in the conf
dence that your cause would be under
stood aud met in the same spirit in
which it was conceived and intended"
Their Protest.
The text Of the statement of the
Belgian high commission presented to
today by Mr.. Carton de Wharf. was az
follows:
"Excellency:
His majesty, the king of the Bel
gians, has charged US with q special
mission to the president of the United
States.
ever since her independence was
xlTSt cSldOl1Sucu oClSA0Ah has OCCA NC
clared neutral in perpetuity. 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 belligerents we would have be-
trayed our obligations toward the
others and it was the sense of our in
ternational obligations as well as that
of our dignity and honor that has
driven US to resistance. The conse-
quences suffered by the Belgian ma
ton were not confined purely to the
harm occasioned by the forced march
of an invading army. This army not
only seized a great portion of our ter
ritOry, but it committed incredible acts
of violence, the nature of which is
contrary to the rights Of mankind.
Peaceful Inhabitants were massa-
cred, defenseless women and children
were outraged openly and undefended
towns were destroyed. historical and
religious monuments were reduced to
dust and the famous library of the
University of Louvain was given to the
flames.
Our government has appointed q
judicial commission to make an Off
cial investigation so as to thoroughly
and impartially examine the facts and
to determine the responsibility thereof
and l will have the honor, Excellency
to hand over to you the proceedings
of the inquiry"
001lAT0v III fcln