South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-09-02
GERMAN CRIMES
TOLD BY MINISTER
Belgian on Way to Washington
to Complain of Violations of
Laws of War-ReIateS Ter
ribIe Atrocities.

LONDON, Sept I'm an inter-
view tonight the Belgian minister of
justice. Cartonbe de Weart, who is
now in London on his way TO Wash
ington as head Of a special mission
from King Albert TO Pres. Wilson 20
protest against Germans violations Of
the laws of war. said:
The purpose of the mission is 70
acquaint the American people with
through them, the world with the
truth about the German army's dis
regard of the laws of God and man.
The first rumors OF these awful
crimes were so incredible in a nation
Of such high civilization and culture.
that our king appointed a special
board Of inquiry. embracing some of
our most distinguished judges and
heads OF universities, to investigate
every case reported and the result of
these Investigations was the creation
of the present mission Of protest. for
the facts proved TO be worse than the
rumors.
Our indictment of the Germans
contains many points. beginning. of
course with violation Of Belgium's
neutrality. which was guaranteed by
solemn treaty. The next high handed
act was the confiscatiOn Of several
millions of francs from the vaults of
the Banque de Rationale private in
stitution in Liege which was not a
government depository. Then worse
still. was the bOmbardment of the
open towns of Malines and LOuvain
and the ruthless destruction of their
ancient treasures, especially the fam
s,F I v.rinn
less manuscripts which cannot be re-
placed.
Still more inexplicable is their
burning of small villages without any
military authority, their massacre of
women and children; the kidnapping of
by soldiers of young girls and the
carrying off of civilian men into prac-
tical slavery in the German harvest
fields.
Bury Peasants Alive.
Most terrible of all. however. was
the case Of two peasants near Diest,
on August 10, who were buried alive,
head downwards because they re-
fused to act as guides TO the invaders.
For a similar Offense during the same
week the aged sexton of the village
church at Aerschot, was tied to tree
and burned
1--WE also have indisputable evil
dence with sworn dTnOdNltS or eve
witnesses. of hundreds Of cases of
wanton shooting and bayoneting Of
terrOriZed peasants all through the
battle zones. Belgian men, women
and children are still lying unburied
where the Germans are in control.
M Nanderviet, leader of the So
cialist party and a member of this
mission, has talked with soldiers who
saw German troopers use women
and children as shields against the
fire Of our men.
Altogether IL has been a night
mare of horrors for our people, but
the day Of reckoning is coming. At
present Belgium has been beaten by
overwhelming numbers. but she is
not conquered.
Before we left Antwerp yesterday,
King Albert commanded us to i'm
press upon all whom we met that we
shall fight till the last man is gone"
NJ de Wearts' associates on the
mission are: NJ Hymans, the Bel
gian minister of state; NJ. de Safeler,
leader OF the opOsitIon: NJ. Wander
Wet. leader Of the socialist party;
Count Louis de Lichtenvelde, secre
tary to the prime minister.
The party sails Wednesday on the
Cedric.