Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1916-12-22
BERLIN REPLIES TO
U.S. ON BELG|ANS|
Washington MisintOrmed, Says
German Note.
OFFERS TO PERMIT INSPECTION
asnwer Reviews Situation In Conquer
ed Country and Accuses Allies Of
Violating Laws of Humanity.

The secretary - foreign affairs
Dr.. Alfred Tin. Aan. has hand
ed to the secretary Of the Amer
can embassy Joseph c. Grew
the German reply to the American rep
reservations on the Belgian deporta
lions.
Germany's answer is confined almost
exclusively to a presentation of the
situation in Belgium before the de
portation order became effective. Thu
note declares that there was urgen'
need of some kind of work for thu
Belgians because their idleness wa:
causing decentralization and says thai
the deported workers are assured o!
Well-being in new situations in Ger
many.
The reply volunteers to permi'
American diplomatic representatives
to visit the workmen's camps and as
sure themselves that the Belgians are
we'll off. 1t concludes with an expires
sion of regret that the United States
has never seen fit to protest agains
what it describes as the dragging Of
of Germans from East Prussia Alsace
and other places, to Siberia and else
where.
These actions, of whirh 1t accuses
the allies, are characterized in the re
ply as a severe violation Of the law!
Of humanity The note declares tina
the German government is convinced
that the United States has been mis-
informed in regard to the measure:
taken.
The lack of work in Belgium, 1t is
stated. has increased until 1,250,Q0t
are suffering and an unbearable situa
ton Is created. Nothing remained
therefore. the note continues, but tt
offer the voorhees, situations in Ger
many. since work for all was not a
hand in Belgium. 1t is contendet
that the majority of those who hav
come to Germany are happy and con
tented. with high wages and increased
personal liberties. and that oaly thos
who prefer to loaf have been compel
led to work.
The answer declares that the meas
ure is entirely In accord with inter
national law. and cites Article 43 Of
The Hague convention, which require.
an invading government to maintain
order This, it is maintained, is pos
sible only in Belgium by providing
that people who are able to work shall
have opportunity to do so, and shall
not fall burden on charity.
The note says that the measure ha.
been carried out without severity, ant
with all possible consideration. Mis-
takes, 1t asserts, have rarely occurred
and have been due in part to the fac
that Belgians themselves erred il
making up the lists of those to bf
transported to Germany by including
persons unaffected by Governor Gen
eral Won Rissing's order of May IS
1916.
The note goes on to say that Bel
gians now working in Germany are
engaged without exception in occupa
tions permissible under internationa
law, such as legitimate agriculture ant
industrial pursuits. and that the Ger
man government regrets extremel!
that the situation has been completely
misrepresented in the United State:
by the lying press of Germany's enc
mics" The German government, i
Is declared, in the interest Of the Bel
gian population. would also regret Il
the activities Of the Belgian re!iei
rvlnmitrne were affected.