The Washington herald., 1915-06-07
BELGIANS fling.
"L[Er AT KAISER
Legation Here Replies to
Charges Contained in the
German White Book.
ASKS WORLD TO JUDGE
Allegations Emanating from Berlin
Not Supported by Proof.
Says Statement
ASKS WORLD TO JUDGE

The Belgian Legation yesterday issued
statement replying to charges asaihs'
the Belgian government and people con-
tanned in the German White BOOK. In
which answer was made to the accusa-
tions that German soldiers mad commit
ted atrocities in Belgium.
The Belgian Legation asserts that the
German government offers no facts to
support its assertions. but merely makes
nat denials without proof.
Particular attention Is given to the
charge by Germany that the Belgian
civilian population rose enmasse against
the German invaders, organized bands OF
franc tireurs. and that the Belgian gov
ernment gave free rein to the passions
of the population" The Belgians point
to the Official proclamation of their gov
ernment, distributed throughout the coun.
try, warning the people not to commit
hostile acts against the German soldiers
as proof that the Belgian government did
not incite the civil population to take
up arms against the Germans. Sum-
marizing, the Belgian statement says:
Evidence Summarized.
"'On the one hand We have:
THE solemn declaration of the Belgian
government guaranteed by the good
faith of that government, of which it
gave proofs when, On account OF respect
for ats plighted word. it refused to vio-
late a treaty which Belgium had signed
and chose the horrors Of war rather
than the breaking of its pledge. These
declarations are supported not only by
this moral guarantee. but also by strlk-
ing evidence, such the official procla-
nations, the collection of newspapers
containing the notices published by or
der of the Belgian government, the pho-
tographs of the walls bearing the .pla-
cards and the declarations OF Cardlnai
Mercier.
The evidence collected by the Belgian
commission OF inquiry. which is COM
posed of the most eminent men in Bel
GUM.
The evidence and the word OF Nis-
count Bryce, who ackpoHledges that he
began the inquiry with doubts as to the
possibilities of such crimes and VINO was
convinced by the evidence.
The avowal of their own crimes by the
German soldiers themselves. as recorded
in their note books and published by MIR.
Bcdier.
On the other hand We have:
The statements made by the German
government without the support of proof
1T is useless to call attention to the
fact that the German government. which.
in its White Book, frequently cites The
Hague convention. commenced the war by
the most fragrant violation of that con-
NcntlOn, In ATTACKING rlsnt VI
Justice and in disregard of a solemn
treaty., a peaceable. small, and neutral
nation whose only offense was that she.
in her turn, refused to violate treaty
or to abandon her neutrality for the ben
eft of Germany.
Cites German Atrocities.
This German government which cites
The Hague convention hasi continually
violated the stipulations of that conven-
tion in regard to the conduct to be OBJ
served in war; it has taken hostages and
executed them: it has confiscated and
seized the property of private individuals;
it has imposed contributions, and Illegal
and ruinous taxes on neutral country
which 1t had unjustly attacked; 1t has
bomba rded open towns: ii has madeuse of
poisonous gas; il has torpedoed unarmed
merchantmen, both neutral and bellig
erent. often without warning, and in
many cases part OF their crews and pas
sengers lost their lives in these unjust-
fable attacks; again. just recently. it
has caused the death OF more than a
thousand innocent victims Among these
unfortunates were many women and over
forty little children. Were they, too.
franc tireurs?
Between these two collections OF evil
dence the universe will Judge if 1t has
not already done So