The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-10-15
~. II. METZDORFF.

Referring to the article of William
d. Foulke in your paper OF October 8,
1914, l beg to say a few words, as
these lines indicate that Germans in
vasion of Belgium is blamed by the
whole world.
All the northern states Of Europe
don't blame Germany for this step
Denmark, Sweden, Norway. l did not
kan states had anything ito say in this
question, less than to blame Germany.
Russia, England, France expected the
invasion and Belgium prepared for it.
1t was no surprise for the last four
states that Germany in case Of war
with France would march through
Belgium, hence the preparation to
defy such step-the forts of Liege.
Namur, Antwerp have been modern
ICED with French and English money.
The Belgian general, Brialmont de-
clared long before the war, that he
is convinced that Germany will be
forced to violate the neutrality Of Bel
gium," SO he did all he could but fail
ed to get the necessary money Only
later with the help Of the Prince Of
Wales, later King Edward, he succeed
ed and could modernize the fort.
resses. Maubeuge, at the frontier Of
Belgium and France, has been sup
piled with English ammunition in the
year 1918, as the French ammunition
don't fit for the English guns. This
shows clearly that last year already
England and France prepared for a
war with Germany. waiting for an
excuse.
According to German newspapers
the German government had proof
that the Belgians agreed in case OF
war to let the French and English
troops pass the Belgian border and
that French officers were in Liege, be
fore the war, helping to direct the
defences of these forts. Belgium was
not defenceless but was prepared
hoping for the arrival of French
troops.
Papers Here Howl.
The only nation, or rather the news
papers Of that nation, who did make
howl Of the violation of Belgium's
neutrality was the United States OF
America, who wilfully or ignorantl,
printed just one side of the question
that is-against Germany. This surely
don't show the much boosted fail
play Of the United States"
Mr.. w. d. Foulke did not say thai
Germany did sign a treaty Of neutral
ity with Belgium but merely that Ger
many was present at the Hague trib
unal, because he knows that Germany
never signed such treaty, but since
that time the political conditions o
Europe changed and we don't hav'
Prussia but Germany. just as we hav'
Indiana, which don't make treatie
with foreign nations, but the Unite'
States Of America; therefore in tn
80 fpn otyy
break the neutrality Of Belgium an
l doubt 1t that Germany would hav
done 1t, If she had such signe'
treaty. When, therefore, the German
chancellor in his speech says: wv
violated the international law, ETC.,
It simply means that Belgium was no
yet in war and therefore a neutra
land and to cross it, would mean
violation of her neutrality. But Ge,
many did know that France was read
to break the neutrality of Belgium an
had her permission to do SO, beside
that French aviators and officer
came through Belgium without bein
arrested by Belgium. thus breakin
the neutrality herself. That was nc
an afterthough but considered befor
Germany marched her troops into Be
GUM. Before this was done, German
asked permission to enter Belgium
guaranteeing her integrity; Belgium
= declined and in declining she did kno'
that this means war with her and sh
had to take the consequences of tn
war.
Offers to Arbltrate.
Even after Liege had been takel
Germany was willing to arbitrate wit
Belgium again and to make every col
cession possible and to remove th
German troops as soon as the wa
with France would allow It; Belgiul
declined the second time August i
therefore she has no right to complai
II German treats her as an enemy.
But Mr.. Foulke, why did you ne
give the full speech Of the chancellor
I think whoever reads the whole, ths
part Of yours you published would nc
sound so awful in connection with tn
other parts. But to prevent for late
any misinterpretation Of that speec
when time comes for peace talk,
have tQ add from that spssch. w
$3.50