Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-10-25

German military administration, and
such lenience az we nave received has
come largely through his energetic and
discreet intervention.
But" added the minister. 1.-The
names Of Americans who have shown
this good will toward Belgium in very
practical ways Is almost unlimited
DR.. Watson of the American church
at Paris. and Mrs. Watson. Mr.. Bliss,
the American charge d'affaires at
Paris. and his wife. Mrs. Wharton. the
well known American writer. and
many. very many, others. To all of
them Belgium is deeply thankful"
turning now to international at
fairs. In which he had taken such an
active part at the debut of the war,
r Beyens went on:
w had every reason to remain at
peace With Germany. Belgium had no
hostility to Germany. We had many
Germans among us. as o have in
America. and many Of our people spoke
the German language. A. spirit of
good feeling and of confidence pre-
vailed. so far as we We're concerned. I
have reason to know this as I was
minister at Berlin up to the opening
of the war. and had opportunity to
observe the mutual relations existing,
Denies Secret Treaty.
Germany has sought to spread the
legend that Belgium had a secret
treaty with ENGLAND relating to Ant
werp. But that is false. There is no
such treaty. and was such a
treaty. Certainly if such a document
existed ] would know of it. and 1 af-
firm to you, on my honor. that it does
not exist. No. the '-~-rd Of the Sc
cret treaty is a pure invention set up
to Justify. in the eyes of the world, the
crime against Belgium.
In refusing the demand of Germany
to cross Belgium. we were simply per-
forming a duty. We were bound to
act toward u German neighbor to
the east just as we would have done
toward u French neighbor to the
west. for u duty and all our interests
tended to maintain the Same attitude
TOWARD the powerful nels on our
two frontiers. Suppose had
been the n to ask the cross
Belgium n to attack @ We
would have been bound /. -.use It.
And had such a demand ever been
made. and ever been granted. what
would Germany have said? It would
have denounced us as violators Of. =
Doubtless the world would have agreed
with this view, had Belgium taken
such q curse.
But. happily. this contingency did
not arise. France never sought to en-
ter Belgium. Yet here again Germany
has sought to set up q legend that
French designs on Belgium led to the
German invasion Of the country. But
that legend has been abundantly dis
proven. No. Germany's. course In en-.
tering Belgium was purely a strategic
military operation, carefully planned
long In advance. and without tho
slightest justification Of being q dc.
fensive move against French designs,
Against that our king and government
took no only path open to them-tho
path OF honor. There was nothing 70.
naming but to defend our freedom.
sword In hand. at the price Of the ma
tons Q ts0od-a freedom that the
Germans. after defeating France. would
have withheld from us all the more
scornfully had We been weak enough
to listen to them and cowardly enough
to obey them.
But Belgium will have her compen.
sattons when her complete independ.
ence and freedom are established a
part OF the peace settlement and IN
adequate indemnity has been provided
Tor her and the time OF reckoning a
last approaching. Rumania u the
latest o sspeak and to cast the weigh
OF her influence and power In the bal.
has shaped her course. ana With the
powerfuls support OF he allies-England
France. Russia. Italy, Japan. Portugal.
Serbia and now Rumania-she win
sustain her part Of the burden of war
TO the very end. Belgium will come
0ack 70 her 1--WE. in her place Ia the
sun. and TO complete freedom and IN.
Dependence"
~. 3. Ra!ooas. Of Baltimore. n. =.
has gtveo hb homo - q shaltop II