Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-29
CITY or L0UvAIH
IS NOW IN RUINS;
NOTABLES SLAIN
Belgians Charge Invaders Ap.
piled Torch to Hide Blum.
der of Own Men.
LEADING CITIZENS SHOT
Protest Filed With United States IA
cIarins Action Is Violation Of
international Law.

London, Aug. 29.-The Belgian ,,-.
eign minister reports that the Belgzu
city of Louvain, in the Province O.
Brabant, has been burned by the Ge-.
mans.
The inhabitants we're ordered to
leave their dwellings and some Eers
made prisoners, the minister declarea.
The women and children were placed
on trains, the destinations of whica
are not known, and soldiers Furnished
with bombs set fire TO all parts OF tbs
city.
The splendid Church of st. Pierre,
the University buildings, the library
and scientific ablishments were de-
livered to the flames.
Several notable citizens were shot.
The city, which had a population OF
a., 900 and was the intellectual metro
polls of the low countries, is now moth
ing more than a heap of ashes.
The war information bureau an
nounces the following: THE Belgian
minister of foreign affairs reports that
on Tuesday a German army corps, aft
er receiving a check, withdrew in dis
order to the city of Louvain.
1.-THE Germans on guard at the en-
trance of the city, mistaking the ma
ture of this incursion, fired upon their
countrymen, whom they mistook for
Belgians.
Cover Mistake BY Germans.
'In spite of all the denials from the
authorities the Germans, in order to
cover their mistake, pretended that it
was the inhabitants who had fired on
them, whereas the Inhabitants, includ-
ing the police, all had been disarmed
more than a week before.
without inquiry and without listen
ing to any protest, the German COM
mander announced that the town would
be destroyed Immediately"
Louvaln was evacuated by the Bel.
gians Aug. 81. 1t is situated Is miles
east of Brussels. 1t contained many
notable buildings, including the Hotel
de Vile, described as one of the most
beautiful Gothic structures in the
world. Brewing and distilling and the
of tobacco, lace and
starch were the principal industries.
Belgium Protests to U. S.
Washington, Aug. 29.-Formal pro-
test against the burning of Louvain By
German troops as violation of inter
law and the laws of humanity
was submitted to the state department
late yesterday by Belgian Minister
The minister was deeply moved when
he left Secretary Bryan's office, whers
for the last few weeks his visits have
meant the record of pathetic history
for his country.
81 bring this knowledge to the Unit
ed States" the minister said sadly, for
1t is not only Belgium who has to
mourn This thing concerns the whole
world
The loss of the old Church of ST.
Pierre was mentioned and the de-
struction of the Jewel of Gothic art"
the Hotel De Vile.
Burning Called Outrage.
In conclusion the message ran as
follows:
Americans, many of whom have
followed courses at this illustrious
alma mater and have there received
such cordial hospitality, cannot 10
IlSSHSlDle 10 IIllS Outrage OH LIZ
lights of humanity and civilization,
which is unprecedented in history"
Louvain. which lies in the famous
province of Brabant, of which it was
he capital in the fourteenth century,
vas the seat of the Duke of BrabaEt II
he eleventh century. The university
which is the finest in Belgium, was
by Duke John ". Of Brabant
n 1923. The Church of st. Pierre
to have been destroyed by
ire, is called by experts the richest
md most ornate example Of pointed
Gothic architecture in the country.
The latest advices do not state the
xact amount of damage. and the Ger
nan reports differ from the Belgian
'ersion.