New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-17
true expression Of sincere neu-
trslitY
Belgian Commissions Statement.

lTdltlS
Belgian Commissions Statement.
The statement in behalf of the BEL
gian commission, charging cruelty
against the German soldiery in their
occupation of Belgian territory, was
presented by Carton de Wharf. If the
statements of the commission, accred-
tied to trustworthy eyewitnesses, arc
true, the Germans have been guilty OIL
crimes equal to those committed by the
brigands and pillagers of feudal ages
Maidens and matrons ravished, old men
and children bayonetted or hung, aged
women and unoffending peasants
burned alive or shot down IN cold
bJood-such horrors as these form the
principal part Of the official findings
&C the Belgian commission Of inquiry.
In presenting the findings Mr.. de
Wharf said:
Ever since her independence was
first established Belgium has been de-
clared neutral in perpetuity. This neu-
t-ality, guaranteed by the powers, has
recently been violated by one OF them.
Had we consented to abandon our neu-
4 traljty for the benefit OF one OF the
belligerents we would have betrayed
! Our obligations toward the others, and
1t was the sense of our international
Obligations, as we'll as that of our dig
n,ty and honor, that has driven US to
( resistance.
. 1 H.. b,
Bciciam nation were not confined purely
10 the harm Cccaaioned by the forced
march Of az invading army. This army
not only seized a great portion OF our
territory, but il committed incredible
acts Of violence the nature of which
is contrary 10 the rights of mankind.
Peaceful inhabitants were massa-
cred. defenceless women and children
we're outraged, open and undefended
towns were destroyed, historical and
/ religious monuments were reduced 10
/ ddst, and the famous library OF the
/ University OF LOuvsin was given TO the
{ flames.
"Our government has appointed
judicial commission to make an ofhclai
investigation, so as to thoroughly ana
inuartially examine the facts and to
determine the responsibility thereof,
and | will have the honor, eXcellency:
10 hand over to you the proceedings OF
the inquiry.
at was at the request, even at the
initiative of the United States, that all
civilized nations have formulated and
adopted at The Hague law regulating
the rights and usages of war. We re
frse TO believe that war has abolished
the family OF civilized powers or the
reouIations to which they have freely
consented.
"The American people have always
displayed respect for justice, search
for progress and an instructive attach
ment for the laws of humanity. There
fore. they have won a moral influence
that is recognized by he entire world.
II is for this reason that Belgium,
bound as it is with you by ties of
commerce and increasing friendship,
turns TO the American people at TINS
time to let them know the real truth
Of the present situation. Resolved TO
continue its unhinching defence OF rs
sovereignty and independence, Il deems
il duty to bring 10 The attention OF
the civilized world e innumerable
grave breaches of rights OF MANKIND OF
which she has been victim.
On en- ling his speech Mr. de Wlart
handed to President Wilson the hnd.
inps of the commission. portions OF
which follow:
y Atrocities al Linsmeau.
From the beginning Of tn, INVASION
the Belgian government had posted,
each and every day, in all the towns
and the papers have each day repeat
edly printed, instructions warning non
combatant civilians not to ofer resist.
ance to troops invading the country. II
any deed, contrary to the rules OIL
warfare, should ultimately be proven
it is only necessary to reallze me Weh-
founded excitement which the cruelties
of the German soldiers are provoking
among the Belgian population.
"Whole regions have been raNaged
and abominable deeds perpetrated in
the towns. =,
German cavalry, occupying the vii
Iage of Linsmeau, were attacked by
some Belgian infantry nd two gen
darmes. A German O1.:er was KILLED
nv our troops during the fight and sub
seouentlv buried at the request OF the
ReiQian officer in command. None OF
Tho civilian population took part in the
6gbtinp at Linsmcau. Nevertheless, the
Village was invaded by strong force
of German cavalry, artillery and ma
chine guns. In spite of formal assur..
ances by the burgomaster that none OF
the peasants had taken part in the pre-
lions fighting, two farms and six out
ling houses were d,strCyed by gun
fire and burned. All the male
Emulation were Their mpelled to
come forward AID hard over whatev'r
arms they possessed. No recently DIS
charged firearms were found. Never
tbeless. the invaders divided these peas
ants il. three groups. Those IN one
group were bound and eleven of them
placed in a ditch where they were al
terward found dead, their skulls frac-
tured by the butts German rihes.
Farmer JEFF Dierchx, of Neerhespen.
bears witness to the following acts
cruelty committed by German cavalry
at Crs.nael and Nee. hespen, on August
10, IL and ;2: An old man Of the latter
village had his arm sliced in three Ion.
gitudinal cuts, he was = then hanged
head downwards and burned alive
Young girls have been raped and little
! children outraged at Or=mael, VIII,
several inhabitants suffered mutlia-
tiCn too horrible to describe.
"On Wednesday, August IL, after an
engagement at Haelen. CommandSnt