The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1914-09-17

violation of Belgiums neutrality has always been
Germanys trump card
1.-THE Chancellor says Belgium women gouged
the eyes of German wounded and cut the treats
Of sleeping troopers, but he gives proof. In
any case would such incidents justify the absolute
destruction Of the whole country and the destruc-
ton of such towns Louvain?''
SECRETARY OF BELGIAN COMMISSION COM
MENTS ON GERMAN CHARGES.
Recites Tales of Cruelty-Beating Out of Bel
gans Brains by German Soldiers Among At
rocties Alleged by Commission
New York, Sept. 11-A partial list of the al
legged German atrocities in Belgium against which
the Belgian King has sent protest to President
Wilson, made public today by Count Louis
de Lichtervelde, secretary Of the Belgian COM
mission bearing the protest The commission
reached this city today on it's way to Washington.
AT Linsmeau, when the Germans entered the
village, two uniformed gendarmes attacked the
Germans Count de Lichtervelde said I'm
venge the village invaded the night of
August 10. Two farms were destroyed; the crops
were destroyed or carried away; six houses were
burned, and all the men were compelled to hand
their arms.
Beaten to Death in Ditch.
cit was found that none had been discharged
recently and finally the were separated into
three detachments. Two Of the detachments dis
appeared third consisting Of II men, was
driven at the point Of the bayonet into a ditch
and when they were piled in the German soldiers
set upon them and beat their brains out with the
butt ends Of their rifles The II battered bodies
were found later by Belgian troops.
con August 10, after the battle Of Haelen
Colonel Damme, commander Of a Belgian
regiment, was lying wounded on the battle field
He was unable to move Several German soldiers
found him and, placing their revOlvers against
his mouth, blew his head Off.
'At Bouceles the German troops went into
battle carrying the Belgian flag.
con August 10 the German cavalry raided the
town Of Veen, while the inhabitants slept One
instance of what they did may be cited in the
case of man named Deglimme whose house was
fired and looted He and his wife were taken
from the house half naked. He was dragged
away in one direction she in another.
Fired on Fleeing Woman
'fShe was released when two miles away and
told to When she the German soldiers
fired at her. but she escaped the bullets and
staggered back to the site of her ruined home in
a pitiabe condition. Her husband also re-
leased and fired upon when he ran. He was found
mortally wounded next day the road outside
the town."
Count de Lichtervelde said he had read the
statement attributed to the German Emperor in
which it said that harsh treatment of Bel
gians made necessary in some cases because
Belgian civilians fired German soldiers.
81 do not see how it is possible for to
lie s0, said Count de Lichtervelde
Count de Lichtervelde said tonight that des-
pite President Wilson's absence, the Belgian COM
mission might leave for Washington tomorrow
morning. Minister Havenith had informed the
commission he said, that Secretary Bryan would
meet the commission and extend official cOurte-
sizes until the President returned from Cornish.
THE suferings of the Belgian people are be-
yond al! imagination" said Count de LIGHTER
velde "In the large, they appalling; in detail
they are heart-breaking and sckening. There
has not been, and hardly can be, an overstate-
ment Of their suffering, physical and mental.
eve sincerely believe that the American PEG"
pie will Enthusiastically do it's share in supply
ing relief for these thousands of our people who
without food and shelter, and who so far as
they can see have no cause for hope. The