The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1914-09-18
WILSON HEARS BELG|ANS
SENTFROM KING ALBERT
Delegation Presented Abstract
of Investigation
THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS.
Complimented Belgium and En-
pressed Hope for the Early
End of the Great War.

Ine united states at this time cannot
pass judgment on or take any part
in controversies between the warning
European nations over alleged vio-
lations of the rules of civilized war
fare and humanity He said settle
ment Of these questions would have
to wait until ( the end of the war,
which he pras ted Nigh, ne soon.
The PresiA lent announced the
American governments position first
in an address to the commission sent
by the King of Belgium to protest
against alleged atrocities committed
by the German army. Later he sent
cablegram along similar lines to
the Emperor of Germany, replying to
the Emperor's protest that the allies
were using drm-rum bullets.
The Belgian commission was re-
ceived at the White House with for
nal ceremony The President. ac-
companied by his military aide and
several high government officials.
greeted the visitors i'm the East room
and listened with grave attention to
their ddaress, setting forth in detail
charges that German soldiery invad-
ing their land had Killed and tor
tured men, women ana children. de-
stroyed art treasures and sacked
cities.
Mr.. Wilson read his prepared re-
ply.
Permit me to say with what sin
cere pleasure l receive you as repre-
sentatives of the King of the Bel
gians, a people for whom the people
of the United States feel so strong
a friendship and admiration, a King
for whom they entertain so sincere
a respect, and express my hone that
we may have many opportunities OF
earning and deserving their regard.
You are not mistaken i'm be-
lieving that the people Of this coun-
try love justice, seek the true paths
or progress and have a passionate re-
gard 70 rthe rights OF humanity.
ut is n matter of profound pride
to me that l am permitted for time
to represent such people and to be
their spokesman, and | am honored
that your King should have turned
to me in time OF distress as to one
who wishes on behalf of the people
he represents, to consider the claims
to the impartial sympathy OF man
kind of a nation which deems itself
wronged
Il thank you for the document you
have put in my hands containing the
result of an investigation made by a
judicial committee appointed by the
Belgian government to look into the
matter of which you have come to
speak. 1t shall have my most atten-
tive perusal and my most thou, htful
consideration.
HOPES FOR PEACE.
You will | am sure, mt expect
me to say more. Presently, l pray God
very soon, this war will be over. The
day of accounting will then come
when, l take it for granted, the ma
tions of Europe win assemble to de-
termine a settlement. Where wrongs
have been committed their conse.
quences and the grelative rasponsi.
bility involved will be assessed.
The nations OF the world have
fortunately by agreement. made a
plan for such a reckoning and settle.
ment. What sudh a plan cannot
compass, the opinion OF mankind, the
final arbiter in guch matters. will
supply 1t would 'be unwise. it would
be premature for a single govern.
ment, however, fortunately separat
ed from the present struggle, ard il
would be inconsistent with the neu
trail position of any nation, Whicl
Ike this has no part in the contest
to form or express a hnal judgment
Il need not assure you that this
conclusion, in which l instinctively
feel that you will yourselves concur
is spoken frankly because in warm
friendship and as the BEST means oi
lperfect understanding between us
AN understanding based upon mutual
respect, admiration and cordiality.
"You are most welcome and we
are greatly honored that you should
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