Evening star., 1915-04-07
P|NCHOT EXPLAINS I
AFFAIR IN BELGIUM
Arrested and Searched by Ger
mans, He Says, Without a
Given Reason.
HAD SOUGHT TO KEEP
THE INCIDENT SECRET
Feared Publicity Might Hamper
Work of the American Re-
lief Commission.

THE HAGUE. April 6, via London,
April Both Henry Van Dyke. the
American minister to the Netherlands,
and clifford Pinchot, attached to the
American legation. have endeavored to
the utmost 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 nine and a half million
destitute people OF that country ana
the northern provinces of France.
Mr.. Pinchot, however. on learning
that the incident had been published,
gave the Associated Press the follow
ing signed statement:
Statement by Pinchot.
Some time ago was asked by Her
bert c. Hoover to become a member of
the commission for relief in Belgium
and to take charge of the feeding of
the French in the invaded provinces
north Of the German lines. After go
ing twice to the continent, arrange
Inents finally were completed and guar
antees given to the commission by tho
German government that the Ameri-
can commissions food would not be
taken.
Immediately to DIR. Van Dyke, to whose
legation j was attached by orders from
Washington, with the specific duty Of
representing the commission OF relief
eastern France within the German
lines.
Halted at the Border.
"Dr. Van Dyke procured from the
German legation at The Hague tho
March 80 I went with my wife in a
commission automobile, and was ac-
companied by Brussels representa-
tive of the commission 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, Gen. Won Bliss
ing. through the head of the pass Office
in Antwerp. that We were to leave Bel
gium without delay. No reason was
assigned for this action.
Before leaving, however, 1 received
letter from the American minister
at Brussels, Brand Whitlock, saying
that the reason given him by Gen. Won
Kissing for our expulsion was my re-
The Hague. Sir Alan Johnstone, who
married my sister. and the fact that 1
had stayed with him at The Hague on
my way to Belgium. Accordingly we
returned to Holland March 81, and
since then have been staying with the
American minister at The Hague
awaiting instructions from Washing
ton.
Searched by Germans.
In entering and leaving Belgium
Mrs. Pinchot and / were searched by
the German military authorities.
Il cannot close this statement with
out expressing the deep impression
made upon me by what I saw of the
work of the American commission for
relief In Belgium, and especially by the
warm expressions of gratitude and ap-
probation which came to me from
every side and from all classes of peo-
pie. including many of the leaders Of
the province in which Antwerp lies"
DIR. Van Dyke, referring to the occur
renee, said:
The incident has diplomatic rela-
tions. of course. but these are infinitely
less than the continuance of the work
of the relief commission. which is saw
ing millions of people from starvation.
Therefore / shall say nothing about the
incident until my instructions come
from Washington"