The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-30
Says Troops Adopted Sc
we're Measures in Retalia-
ton for Attacks.
CHARGES INHABITANTS
WITH ACTS OF CRUELTY
Women and Priests Made
MurderOus Assaults.
White Book Declares.
Speciai Cnble Despatch 10 Tnr srN.

Special Cdbfe Despdfch 10 THE sun
BERLIN, via Amsterdam. May 20
An emphatic denial OF the charges of
extreme and unwarranted cruelty to
civilians in Belgium made in two off,
, cial reports is contained in a White
Book Just issued by the German Gov
ernment. In this document the Gov
ernment makes counter charges of a
concerted and premeditated attack
upon the German troops by the Bel
gian population. in reply to which the
soldiers resorted to only such measures
of retaliation as were justified and.
indeed. necessary.
The first of the two reports to which
the White Book is an answer was that
made public in Washington on sep
tember 10 last by "A commission sent to
the United States by the Belgian Gov
ernment The second report was that
of the British commission. headed by
viscount Bryce, which was made pub
lie in Washington and London stimuli
taneously on May IL last.
The attacks alleged to have been
made upon the German troops by the
Belgian population are declared to
have been in violation of Articles I.
and II. of the Hague convention, In
that the assailants were not organized
troops. The soldiery, the document
sets forth. was actuated by the instinct
of self-prcservation.
The charges of atrocities made in
the two reports are declared to be
libels. SO far from admitting the
allegations Of atrocities against women
and childrei the White Book declares
that particular care was taken TO pro-
tect women. children and old men
from danger whenever possible.
The document charges, on the other
hand, that Belgian women were fire.
quently participants in the attacks
made upon the Germans. Hot tar and
scalding water were poured upon the
troops from upper windows and many
captured soldiers were mutilated
cruelty.
Attacked without PrO~Ocstion.
At Aerschot. the document states.
residents of the city fired upon the
troops without provocation and the
German commander was treacherously
murdered in the Mayors residence.
At Dinant the cathedral was used as
a point Of attack against the Germans.
In Louvain, 1t is charged, the popu-
lation turned against the troops after
pretending to show friendship. Even
priests goaded the civilians to the at
tack and German hospitals were fired
upon. The Germans admit setting the
houses of some OF the offenders afire.
but declare that they themselves
checked the confiagration in order that
innocent persons might not suffer.
Text OF white Book.
In its White Book the German Gov
ernment says;
Immediately after the outbreak OF
the present war wild fight of the en-
tire people against the German troops
broke out, which forms fragrant vio-
lation of international rights and which
had most serious results for the coun-
try of Belgium and her people.
This war fought by people excited
to the highest passion, lasted during the
entire advance OF the German army
through Belgium. As the Belgian army.
after stubborn fights, retreated before
the German troops the Belgian civilian
population in all parts of the country
not yet occupied by Germans endeavored
by all means to delay the German ad-
vance.
They did not hesitate. in places
which already had been occupied by
German troops, to hurt and weaken the
German army through cowardly attacks.
That the Belgian civilian population OF
every rank age and sex with the great
est fury and rage took part in the fights
against the German troops IL proved by
material founded on offi-
cial and. in many cases. sworn testi-
mony.
According to material in hand the
Beigian civilian population in numerous
places in the provinces OF ldege, Luxem-
burg. Namur, Henegau, Brabant, East
and West Flanders fought against Ger
man troops and the fight was particu-
larly terrible In character at Aerschot.
Ardenne. Dinaut and Liege. OF which
the German War Department from spe-
cial military commissions appointed to
look into viol'-t!onS OF the rules OF war.
Scalded by Hot Tar.
According to these, men of various
professions and trades. working men.
physicians, school teach
ers. nay, even priests and women and
children were caught with arms in hand
in parts Of the country from which the
Belgian regular troops had retired long
ago. Shots were fired at the German
troops from houses. gardens. roofs. cell
lars, fields and woods. During these
fights means were used which certainly
would never have been used by regular
troops. and there were therefore many
wounds from shotguns and scalds from
hot tar and boiling water.
The war which the Belgian civilian
population conducted was entirely
against generally recognized rules of in |
ternational rights as expressed In Ar
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