New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-07
D. L. BlOunt Asserts u. S.
Flag Was Violated in
Sack of LOuvain.
WAS IN ANTWERP
WHEN BOMBS FELL
Reports Brand WhitlOCk,
as Savior of Brussels,
Is National Hero.
HIGHWAYS ARE MINED
Belgians Sure They Can Prove
Present Invasion Was Planned
Long in Advance.

By Cable TO The Tribune.
London, Sept. g.. Bringing a thrill
ing story Of happenings in Belgium.
where, as driver Of motor car for
the American Legation, he has had an
extraordinary opportunity for observa-
tion. Daniel Lynde Blount, a young
American business man living in Brus-
sells, has arrived in London with his
family.
Blount's story is one Of the first
connected and authoritative accounts
received so far. He went to Antwerp
from Brussels with Hugh Gibson, the
secretary of the American Legation.
who was carrying dispatches for the
State Department. They were there
when the Zeppelin dealt death from
the sky and observed the devastation
i. wrought. They passed through the
German and Belgian armies and were
at times in ticklsh positions.
Later Mr.. Blount went to Louvain.
where he witnessed the city's burning
and, incidentally, got caught, with
Secretary Gibson. Sehor Bulle. the
Mexican Charge dAffsires. and NJ.
Pousette, the secretary Of the Swedish
Legation, in the middle of vicious
skirmish, when, for two hours, they
crouched in the lee Of the railway sta
ton platform, while fifty year-old
German lieutenant made reports Of the
progress of the fighting, and finally
brought them a bottle of champagne.
Flag Incident at Louvain.
Mr. Blount also brings the first
story of the violation of the American
flag at Louvain where priests were
taken from the American College
which few our ensign and the Red
Cross flag. Minister Brand Whitlock
has protested about this. Mr.. Blount,
as we'll as his father, who is well
known business man and also FRIEND
of Secretary Daniels. scarcely could
find words to-day sufficient to praise
Minister Whitlock and the American
Legation. Minister Whitlock is ma
tional hero in Belgium. His name is
on every lip, and the Belgians lost no
opportunity to cheer the American
fag on the motor in which various
trips were made and on the final trip
lust finished from Brussels to Ostend.
Minister Whitlock, it evidently has
been seen, had his troubles with the
German commander. When the Ger
runs arrived at Brussels they de-
manded an enormous indemnity IN
money and great food supplies. IL
was discovered that this food was
being shipped back to Germany
three days food. but that they wanted
r,ore so as not to touch their own
supply. Minister Whitlock protested,
declaring Brussels would be starved
and also stating that he, too, had the
mower of reouisition for his own peo-
ME. The Germans consented to cease
seizures for week, which is now up.
Mr.. Blount doesn't know what is doing
row. Minister Whitlock has been
most firm and is being given credit Tor
saving the city from the fate OF Lou
vain.
L. s. Flag on Automobile.
Describing the trip to Antwerp and
return, Mr.. Blount said:
eve started from Brussels IN our
motor on the afternoon OF August "a
We carried an American flag on the
hood, also pidCdru say ing, sh"Si
legation in French and German. We
passed out of the city going very slow
ly. perhaps ten miles an hour. Finally
we came TO the German forces.
at was ticklish going, as skirmish-
ers were hiding in the bushes by the
roadside. Finally we came to the last
of the German trenches in front OF
MaIines. There we met a party OF
eight Uhlans. This was the remainder
Of the patrol of about twenty which
had made the raid on Malines. In their
midst they had two carloads Of Bel
pian peasants, who were forced to 60
along in front as protection, the Bel
gians not wanting TO fire on their own
neople. The commander had re-
yolyer in his hand, which was kept
pointing at my head all the time ne
held us up, discussing whether he
would permit our passing. He finally
cid so. and we went on into the most
hazardous part OF our trip the stretch
between the Belgian and German lines.
"An uncomfortable experience =
was. We got to drawbridge. 1t took
a lot of argument to induce the Bel
CLANS TO lower it. Then we went on to
Antwerp, where the placsrds on the
motor announcing cur nationality
created great enthusiasm. Oficers
would not look at our papers, and the
Continued on page Q, column J.