Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-09-17
B[LG|ANs STATE
GRIEVANCES TO
! THE PRESIDENT
Commission From King Albert
Tells America, Through
Chief Executive, Of What
Their Kingdom Is Suffering

,,.4 mo-us.so sourssel urnulnl -ssnnu wlrsl
washington. sept 16.--l7ormal mo-
4,ro wins given to the world today hy
president Wilson that the United
etntee al this time cannot pass jndg-
lpem upon or take part in coatroeer-
eee between The warning Enrepean
untiuns ever alleged violations OF the
~nles cf civiliz d warfare and human
stv. Ile said settlement Of these ques-
lions would have 10 wall unril the end
ni The war. which be prayed might be
very soon.
The president announced the posi-
zion ct the American government FIRST
IN an address TO the commission sent
40 him hy fhe king Of Belgium 20
protest AGAINST alleged atrocities conn
mitted by the German army. Later
DE seat q catlcefam along similar Hines
So the emperor Of Germany. REPLYING
4o The latfcfss recent protest that the
allies were using dum-dum bullets
The Belgian commission was re-
cfired AT The White House wifh for
NAL ceremonies.
The president, accompanied by his
military aide and several high Officials
Of the government. greeted the Risi-
fors In the East room and listened
with grave attention to their address
setting forth in detail charges that
German Soldiery invading their land
had killed and tortured men, women
and children. destroyed art treasures
and sacked cities
Mr.. Wilson read his prepared re-
ply. 1T would Be unNise, Il would be
premature" he said 'for single gov
eminent. il would even be inconsistent
with the neutral position Of any. ma
tion which. like this. has no part. Ia
the contest 10 form or express a H.
nal Judgment"
President Wilson said to the COM
mission:
What the President said.
Permit me TO say with what sim
cere pleasure ] receive you as repre-
seniatives Of the king Of Belgium, a
people for whom the people Of the
United States feels so strong friend
ship and admiration, a king for whom
they entertain SO sincere respect. and
express my hope that we may have
many opportunities Of earning and
deserving their regard
You are not mistaken in believing
that the people Of this country love
justice. seek the true paths Of prog
ress, and have passionate regard for
the rights of humanity.
III Is a matter Of profound pride
10 me that | am permitted for time
to represent such people and TO be
their spokesman. and I am honorcd
that your king should have turned 10
me in time of distress as to one who
who would wish on behalf OF the
people here present. to consider the
claims to the impartial sympathy OF
mankind to nation which deems IL
self wronged.
Thanks the Commission.
Il thank YOU Tor the document YOU.
have PUT in my hands containing the
result of an investigation made BY
judicial committee appointed BY the
Belgian government to look into the
matter of which you have come to
speak. II shall have my most atten-
tive perusal and most thoughtful con-
sideration.
You will, am sure, not expect me
to say more Presently, | pray Goa
very soon, this war will be over. The
day of accounting will then come.
when, | take it for granted, the ma
tons of Europe will assemble to de-
A'itft4lAt u FttAitlftilts " HtAt Ntthof
have been committed their conse-
quences and relative responsibility will
be assessed
The nations of the world have for
tunateiy by agreement, made plan
for such reckoning and settlement.
What such Il plan cannot compass. the
opinion of mankind, the final arbiter
in such matters will supply. II would
ha ~ . hs for
single government. however fortu-
nately separated from the present
struggle. II would be inconsistent with
the neutral position OF any nation
which like this has no part in the
contest. to form or express final juds-
mcnt.
Extends Welcome.
Il need not assure you that this
conclusion, in which | distinctly feel
that you yourselves Will concur. u
spoken frankly because in warm
friendship and as the best means Of
perfect understanding. between us, an
understanding based on mutual re-
speet, admiration and cordially
You are most welcome and, we
are greatly honored That YOU should
have chosen US as the friends before
whom YOU could lay any matter Oh
vital consequence to yourselves IN the
confidence that your case would pe
understood and met in the same spirit
N which 1t was conceived and IN
tended
Tho text of the statement Of me
Belgian high commission presented TO
President Wilson at the White House
today by Mr.. Carton de Wharf was as
follows:
His majesty the King OF the Rel-
gians. has charged us with a special
mission to the president Of the Unlted
States.
Statement nv Commissioners