The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 1914-09-18

ion Of mankind. the final arbiter in
such matters, will supply. It would
be unwise. 1t would be premature fof
Il single government, however, fortu-
nately separated from the present
struggle and It would be inconsistent
with the neutral position OF any ma
tion. which like this has no part in
the contest, to form or express a final
Judgment.
II need not assure you that this
conclusion, in which I instinctively
feel that you will yourselves concur,
is spoken frankly because In warm
friendship and az the best means OF
perfect understanding between us,
an understanding based upon mutual
respect admiration and cordiaIity.
& 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 Inn
portance to yourselves, in the conf
dence that your cause would be un-
derstood and met III the same spirit
In which 1t was conceived and intend
ed"
The text OF the statement of the
Belgian high commission, presented
10 President Wilson today by MT. Car
ton de Wharf. was as follows:
"Excellency:
His Majesty. the King OF the Bel
gians has charged us with special
mission to the President of the Uni
ted States.
:. Ever since her independence was
first established, Belgium has been de-
clared neutral in perpetuity. The neu-
q n a r1f0 hxy
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 oQr obligations toward the
others and it was the sense Of our in
ternatiohal obligations, as well as that
OF our dignity and honor that has
driven us to resistance.
"fhe tcpnsequences. suffered by the
Belgian nation were mot confined to
the HARM occasioned' by the forced
march on an invading army. This ar
my not only seized great portion of
the territory but It committed incred-
,ble violence the nature of which fs
contrary to the rights of mankind.
Peaceful inhabitants were massa-
cred, defenseless women and children
were outraged, open and undefended
towns were. destroyed, historical and
religious monuments wer reduced to
dust ands the famous library of the
University OF Louvain was given to
the flames.
Our government has appointed a
judicial commission to make an Of
iicial investigation, so as to Thorough
~ and impartially examine the facts
and to determine the responsibility
thQrnnf md MIL hox
cellency, to hand over to you the pro-
ceedings :of the inquiry.
F'In this frightful holocaust which
|fs sweeping ali over Europe, the Uni
ted States has adopted neutral .,atti-
tude. -sss@s- 'v1f ,e7'J' (.
..And 1T is for this reason that Your
fcaalnt try, standing apart from either
lone OF the, belligerents, Is In the lest
EpogifiOhDt to Judge without bias, and
partially the conditions under which
the war is being waged. pss. 1Siis..ls
1T was the request. even to. the i'm.
itiatlve OF the United States, that sali'
civilized nations have Formulated sand
adopted at The Hague law regulating
the rights and usages OF war. iy.ai:.if
"We refuse to believe that the war,
has abolished the family of civilized
powers or the regulations to which
they have freely consented. cgtss
1.-The American people have ALWAYS
displayed their respect for Justice, Its
search for progress and an instructive
atachment for the laws OF humanity.
Therefore, 1t has won q moral in
flnence that !s recognized by the en-
tire world. It is for this reason that
Belgium, bound as it is to you by ties
OF commerce and increasing friendship
turns to the American people at this
time to let them know the real trntii
OF, the present situation. f
y Resolved to continue it's unfifnch-
ing defense OF its sovereignty and In
dependence. 1t deems IL a duty to
bring to the attention of the civilized
world eH.S ::Inum eFabie grave breach-
es OF the right. of mankind, OF. which
she has been q victim. i.
AT the; very moment we. were leay-
Ing Belgium, the King recalled TO ,is
his trip to the United States and the
vivid and strong Impression your row !.
erful and virile civilization. left upont
his mind a 80. 80, !, =
Our faith, In your fairness, our; con-
fdence In your justice, In your spirit
OF generosity and sympathy, All these
dictated our present mission. e Z. 81 &
Mr. Carton de Wharf handed to
PRESIDENT Wilson the results OF the or
hctal Inquiry Instituted by the !. Bel.
gian government showing In detail,
the destruction of belgium
=. :. : - -. ssSs M -
REPoRTs D.scREDiTEiD 81
Russian Rspos.s Of Victory Are Made
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