The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-04-07
pINcHoT DESCRIBES EXPULSION.
Says He Was Accompanied To Antwerp
BY Armed Guard.

! The Hague, April 7, via London, l2:ll
a. m.-Both Henry Van Dyke, the Amer
lean minister to The Netherlands, anC
Clifford Pinchot, attached to the Amer
lean legation, have endeavored to the ut
most to keep the matter of Mr.. Pinchot's
expulsion from Belgium by the Germans
from publicity lest such action should
render more difficult the work OF relief
in Belgium involving the succor OF $500
900 destitute people of that country and
the northern provinces of France.
Mr. Pinchot, however, on learning to-
day that the incident had been published,
gave the Associated Press the following
signed statement:
"Some time ago ] was asked by Her
bert c. Hoover to become a member of
the commission for relief in Belgium aud
to take charge of the feeding of the
French in the invaded provinces north of
the German lines. After going twice to
the continent, arrangements were finally
completed and guarantees given to the
commission by the German government
that the American commissions food
would not be taken.
81 came to The Hague and reported
Immediately to DIR. Van Dyke, to whose
legation | was attached by orders from
Washington, with the specific duty of
representing the commission of relief in
feeding the civil population in north
eastern France within the German lines.
"Dr Van Dyke procured from the Ger
man legation at The Hague the neces.
sary papers for entering Belgium. On
March 30 | went with my wife in com
mission automobile and was accompanied
by Brussels representative Of the com
mission to the Belgian frontier, where
my diplomatic and commission passes
were examined. After three hours delay
we were sent under an armed escort to
Antwerp.
"The next morning orders came from
the German governor, General Won Bis.
sing, through the head of the pass oliiee
in Antwerp, that we were TO leave Bel |
gium without delay No reason was as
signed for this action.
Before leaving. however, ] received a |
letter from the American minister at I
Brand Whitlock, saying that
the reason given him by General Won
Kissing for our expulsion was my rela-
tionship 10 the British minister at The
Hague, Sir Alan Johnston, who married
my sister, and the fact that had stayed I
with him at The Hague on my way 90
Belgium. Accordingly we returned to Hol.
and on March 81 and since then have
been staying with the American minister
It The Hague, awaiting instructions from
'In entering and leaving Belgium Mrs.
'inchot and | were searched by the Ger.
nan military authorities.
81 cannot close this statement without
the deep impression made
Ipon me by what | saw OF the work OF
he American commission for relief in |
selgium and especially by the warm ex-
ressions of gratitude and appreciation
Which came to me from every side, and |
rom all classes Of people, including
many Of the leaders OF the province in
lhich Antwerp lies"
Dr. Van Dyke, referring 20 the Incl
ent. said; IL
"The incident has diplomatic relations. :
I course. but these are infinitely less Z
important than the continuance Of the
'ork Of the relief commission. which u
aving millions OF people from starva-
ion. Therefore. ] shall say nothing il.
bout the incident until my instructions
ome from Washington"