The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1914-09-02
AS ReprisaI For Warfare
of Citizens.
HAD A POPULATION OF $4,000
Located Near Brussels and
Noted For It's Beautiful
Gothic Structures.
BELGIAN MINISTER PROTESTS

London, Aug. 29.-The Belgian
Foreign Minister reports that the
Belgian city of Louvain, in the prov
ince of Brabrant, has. been burned
by the Germans.
Louvain was evacuated by the
Belgians August q. 1t is situated
fifteen miles east of Brussels, and
had a population of $4,000. 1t con-
tanned many notable buildings. in
Guiding the Hotel de Vile, described
as one OF the most beautiful Gothic
structures in the world Brewing
and distilling and the manufacture
of tobacco, lace and starch were the
principal industries.
Files Protest With L. =.
Washington, Aug. 29.-Formal
protest against the burning of Lou
vain by German troops as "A violation
of international law and the laws of
humanity, was submitted to the
State Department late to-day by
Belgian Minister Havenith.
The Minister was deeply moved
when he left secretary Bryan's Of
flee. where for the last week his
visits have meant the record of
pathetic history for his country.
Il bring this knowledge to the
United States said the Minister
sadly. for it is not only Belgium
who has to mourn. This thing con-
Germs the whole world"
The loss OF tile church at St.
Pierre was mentioned. and the des-
truction of the Jewel of Gothic art, -
the Hotel de Vile. In conclusion,
the message ran as follows:
Americans, many of whom have
followed courses ID this illustrious
alma mater and there received such
cordial hospitality. cannot remain
insensible to this outrage on the
rights of humanity and civilization,
which is unprecedented in history. v
Louvain, which lies in the famous
province of Brabrant. of which it
was the capital in the Fourteenth
century. was the seat of Duke Of
Brabrant in the Eleventh century.
The university. which is the finest
in Belgium, was founded by Duke
Josn w. of Brabrant in 1923. The
church of st. Pierre, supposed to
have been destroyed by fire. is called
by experts the richest and most
ornate example of pointed Gothic
architecture in the country"
Germans Blame Non-Combatants.
Washington, Aug. 30.-A defense
of the German destruction of the
historic Belgian town of Louvain
was contained in wireless dispatch
from the Berlin Foreign Office to the
German embassy here to-day. The
message says:
"In consequence of sudden at
tack of Belgian troops from Antwerp
the German garrison at Louvain
went out to meet the enemy. leav-
ing only one battalion OF the last
reserves and an army service corps.
Thinking this was a retreat of
the German troops, priests at Lou
vain gave the people ammunition
and civilians began to shoot at un-
suspecting German troops from
windows in different parts of the
town and wounded many. A fight
lasting twenty-four hours took place
between the German soldiers and
the people OF the town. Parts of
the city are burning and civilians
met carrying arms are killed.
"A manifesto of the chief of the
general stan speaks of bestial cruelty
on the wounded and makes the civil
authorities of the town responsible
for the pEovoeatien and for provid-
ing people with arms.