Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-01-08
British Press Bureau Issues
Details of Alleged
Brutalities
BELGIANS ACCUSE
GERMAN SOLDIERY
Allegations Made That Many Priests
Have Been Murdered, Others Mis-.
treated and That Religious Houses
Have Been Destroyed or Profaned -
Statement Made by British at Re-
quest Of Belgian Legation.

London, Jan. S.-At the request OIL
the Belgian legation in London the
British press bureau today issued de-
tailed allegations of the maltreatment
of the Catholic clergy in Belgium and
the destruction of their institutions by
German troops. This statement says
that churches and religious houses
were destroyed or profaned in many
villages and in many towns thru which
the Germans passed. Many of the edi-
fees were used as stables and prisons.
When not placed in hiding the sacred
vessels We're stolen.
The statement alleges that the clergy
has been mistreated by the Germans.
many priests and others connected with
hanged. Many other priests were car
ried off to Germany, where they appear
to have "been subjected to abominable
usage"
Specific Charges Made.
The following specific statements are
given by the press bureau:
Aug. SSs-SA SPfAA1SA oAO <AtASA ASS%''
priest were dragged about from place
to place all day and threatened with
military execution. They were taken to
for the night.
Aug. 21-The priest Of Deuchen, an
invalid, 81 years old, suffering from
disease, was accused by the Germans
of having fired on them. He was ar
y Mt n
ditch, tortured ana shot. A witness
deposes that he sow the priest Delrode
brought into Aerschot. Aug. p. with
three wounded men. The Germans
said he was an English spy and took
him to the town hall The following
day they beat him with rifle butts and
then on the Demerbridge they shot
him and cast his body into the river"
Deposition Of Priest.
A priest makes the following deposit
ton:
aug. 15-German soldiers swarmed
into the village of Schaffen and began
to burn and pillage on the preterse
that shots had been fred on them.
One hundred seventy houses were
burned and twenty seven civilians
were murdered. The Germans mall
treated me in every way. They erected
a gallows 'on which they said they pur-
posed to hang me. They thrust me
into house which was on fire. but
dragged me out again. They sent me
of and at 200 yards began shooting at
me. fell and pretended to be dead
and so escaped"
Many Priests Killed.
The statement continues:
I'm the diocese of Malines alone
twenty six priests were killed without
cause. Similar atrocities occurred In
other dioceses. In the Liege diocese
ten priests were shot and in the Namur
diocese twenty priests were killed. The
priest Of Spontin was first hung up
by the feet and then by the hands and
pierced with bayonets. In the diocese
OF Tournay bishop, "a years old, was
seized as a hostage and struck by
soldier.
Three ecclesiastics were shot in
this diocese"
The statement concludes with these
words: saG Es&l
Noting can demonstrate more clear
ly the tendency Of the Germans In
dealing with members Of the clerical
body than the words Of proclamation
posted by the Germans at Grivegnee,
Sept. s, which says:
/" When hostages are taken. the
priests. burgomasters and members OF
commune administration are to be put
at the head Of the list"