Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-16

President Wilson received at the
White House this afternoon the mem
bers of the Belgian commission "hlch
has come to the United States to pro-
test to him, in the name of King Al
bert OF Belgium and in the name OF
humanity. according to the statement
Of the commission, against alleged
German atrocities during the war in
Europe.
Text Of Belgian Statement.
The text of the statement of the Bel
gian high commission, presented to
President Wilson at the White House
today, was as follows:
"Excellency:
His majesty the King of the Bel
gians has charged US with special
mission to the President of the United
States.
Let me say to you how much we
feel ourselves honored to have been
called to express the sentiments of
the illustrious statesman whom the
American people have called to tho
highest dignity Of the commonwealth.
"As far as 1 am concerned, l have
already been able, during a previous
trip, to fully appreciate the noble vir-
tues of the American nation and am
happy to take this opportunity to ex-
press the admiration with which they
inspired me.
Neutrality Guaranteed.
Ever since her independence was
first established Belgium has been de-
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 obligation toward the
International obligations. az well as
that Of our dignity and Adnor. that
has driven us to resistance.
TIE consequences suffered by the
ly to the harm occasioned by the
forced march of an invading. army.
This army not only seized a great por-
tion of our territory. but 1t committed
incredible acts of violence, the nature
of which is contrary to the rights of
mankind.
Atrocities Are Charged.
Peaceful inhabitantsaawer mas
sacred, defenseless women and chill
dren were outraged. open and unde-
Tended towns were destroyed. histori-
cal and religious monuments were re-
duced 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 oihcfal
investigation, so as to thoroughly ana
impartially examine the facts t ana 70
and / will have the honor, excellency,
to hand over to you the proceedings oi
the inquiry.
"In this frightful holocaust. which Is
sweeping all over Eu op., the t,.,,da u,lr.Io
And 1t is for this reason that You
country, standing apart from either one
of the belligerents, is in the best posi-
tion to judge without bias and partial
ity the conditions under "hlch the
war is being waged.
War Is Regulated.
'It was at the request, even at the
initiative of the United States. that all
civilized nations have formulated and
adopted at The Hague a law regulat-
ing the rights and usages OF war.
1--WE refuse to believe that war has
abolished the family of civilized pow
ers or the regulations to which they
have freely consented.
The American people have always
displayed its respect for justice. It's
search for progress and an instructive
attachment for the laws of humanity.
therefore, It has won a moral influence
that is recognized by the entire world
It is for this reason that Belgium,
bound as it is with you by ties OF COM
merce and increasing friendship, turns
TO the American people at this time to
let it know the real truth OF the pres
ent situation. Resolved to continue Its
unfiinching defense OF ts sovereignty
to hiring to the attention OF the civil
lied world the innumerable grave
breaches of right Of mankind Of which
she has been victim.
King Recalls Trip.
"At the very moment we were leav-
ing Belgium the king recalled to us his
trip to the United States and the vivid
and strong impression your powerful
and yirile civilization left upon his
mind.
Our faith in your fairness. our con-
adence in your justice. in your spirit
of generosity and sympathy. all these
dictated our present mission"
Mr.. Carton de Wiart handed TO Pres
ident Wilson the results of the official
inquiry Instituted by the Belgian gov
ernment, showing in detail the destruc-
lion in Belgium.
The Presidents Remarks.
President Wilson said to the commits
sion:
Permit me to say with what sincere
pleasure I receive you as representa-
tves of the King of the Belgians. a
.,eople for whom the people Of the Unit
ID States feel so strong a friendship
and admiration. king for whom they
entertain SO sincere a respect; and to
express my hope that We may have
many opportunities of earning and de-
serving their regard.
You are not mistaken in believing
that the people of this country love
Justice seek the true paths of prog
| .ess, and have a passionate regard for
| The rights of humanity. 1t is a mat
ter of profound pride to me that am
| permitted for time to represent such
| people and to be their spokesman,
and l am honored that your king
| should have turned to me in time OF
distress as to one who would wish on