Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-07
SAYS BELGIUM APPEALS
TO THE JUSTICE Of GOD
Minister Havenith Answers Ger
many's Charge of His Nations
Surrender of Neutrality.

Official statement by the Belgian min
lister, E. Havenith, today regarding the
charge made some months ago by Ger
many that Belgium had Surrendered
her neutrality to England" asserts
that even had a military plan existed
against a possible aggressor. events
have shown too clearly, alas, how much
such a precaution against Germany
project would have been timely
The text of the statement given out
at the Belgian embassy follows:
1.-The Belgian minister. whose coun-
try in the hour of her great affection
the American people. begs that the fol-
lowing statement may be made known
to them.
Answers Charge Against Belgium.
'Tn recent speech made by the
German chancellor to the representa-
tives of the German people, he lays
the blame for the invasion of Belgium,
with all it's terrible consequences, on
Belgium herself.
"And as proof of this astonishing
accusation he claims that documents
have been found in Brussels establish
ing that Belgium had surrendered her
neutrality to England.
THE Belgian government has re-
quested that these alleged documents
should be published in full, thus prov
ing the falsity of such a charge. Three
months have elapsed since this alleged
discovery. but nothing has appeared
I'm case these documents are pub
lshed, 1t will be seen that they do not
constitute an agreement between Bel
GUM and England against Germany, as
the German chancellor claims them to
be. They are possibly military plan
drawn between the British military at
tache and the Belgian staff to be eff
fective in case Germany should violate
Belgian neutrality, which she elective
ly did in August last.
TT would indeed, be humorous.
should the matter not be too serious
for such u term, that the German gov
eminent should call a breach of neu-
trality this alleged plan, which. if it
Belgiums neutrality against a possible
aggressor Events have shown too
clearly, alas. how much such a. pre-
caution against Germany's projects
would have been timely.
Violation of Pledged Word Alleged.
cit seems nearly incredible that Ger
many. having shown to all the world
what contempt she has for her solemn
engagements, blames today the country
which she has invaded, in spite of her
pieuScu Woiu, LII lidNluS attempted "
take alleged dispositions in view of pre-
venting such an unwarranted attack.
This is Il new proof of Germany's faith
and sincerity: having violated Belgium $
neutrality, she accuses Belgium of a
breach Of neutrality because Belgium
tried to take all possible measures to
prevent such an attack.
THE mind ponders over the ruins of
Louvain, the ashes of Termonde, Aer-
shot. Dinant, Malines and of so many
towns wantonly destroyed: over the
bodies of men slain by thousands while
protecting their homes. their wives and
children against that brutal aggression
which no explanation, however e!abo-
rate, can JUSTIFY. Tease martyrs may
sleep peacefully their everla sting
sleep, the imperial chancellor has
promised that the wrong Germany has
committed against them she VIII make
good after her military goal has been
reached
Happily for Belgium and the world
Power exists which is still above
Germany, her idea of justice and he1
culture. 1t is called the justice of God
1t is to this judgment that the Belgian
nation appeals.