New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-25
u. S. Officials Worried
Over Expected Defence
of Exile Decree
GREW PUTS CASE
BEFORE CHANCELLOR
Situation More Terrible
Each Day, Says Belgium,
in New Appeal

Washington. Nov. 24-Another ap-
peal from the Belgian government for
American influence against the depor-
tation Of Belgans TO work in Germany
was handed to the State Department
to-day by Minister Hayenith.
It was in the form Of an instruction
to the Minister declaring the situation
was becoming more terrible every day
and directing him TO beg the Secretary
Of State to urge the German govern
ment to consider the consequences Of
the crimes against humanity committed
in their name"
Hollweg Hears Plea
Charge Grew. of the American Em-
bassy at Berlin, already is making M
formal representations at the Foreign
Office in behalf of the Belgians. lie
had an interview to-day with Chancel-
lor Won Bethmann-Hollweg. Mr. Crew.
according to Berlin dispatches, sug-
gested "a certain amelioration In the
compulsory employment of Belgian
workmen az concession to Belgian
national feelings and neutral puO"e
opinion
Mr.. Grew has not made formal re-
port of the German government attl-
tude. but 10 was learned to-day tha1
sufficient information had come through
unofficial channels 10 make II evident
that Germany will deny that Belglans
are being forced TO work in munitions
plants. and contend that their deporta-
ton for employment largely on farms
is q necessary military measure within
the spirit Of international law con-
corning the treatment Of the popula-
tons Of conquered territory.
Ii cannot be learned that the state
Department has yet decided on a line
Of action in the event that the German
reply is as unfavorable as IT Is eX-
pected TO be. No effort is made by
the officials to conceal their deep con
Germ over the situation, however, eSpe-
ciallv in view Of the broad lntlmation
Yesterday by Lord Robert Cecil in Eng
land that persistence by the Germans
i'm their treatment of the Belgians
might cause the collapse Of the entire
work of the Belgian Relief Commission
L. 5. Action Not Official
The fact that enforced Belgian labor
has operated to relieve for military
duty many thousands Of Germans was
among the statements laid before the
German Foreign Office by Mr.. Grew,
but this was done only on the basis Of
the formal complaints from the Bel
gian officials which he was instructed
to submit.
The undertaking is Of a peculiarly
delicate nature. Mr.. Grew not being
the accredited representative OF Bel
GUM at Berlin, and his services as an
Intermediary being entirely by suffer
ance Of the German government.
lie was simply authorized to submit
the Belgian allegations, Supplemental
by general statement Of the painful
impression produced by them upon
neutral governments, and was not eX-
pected to challenge any statement Of
fact from the German side nor TO enter
in any argument
The appeal submitted here to-day
was in substantially the same language
as the instructions sent by the Belgian
Foreign Office yesterday to Madrid and
Rome for presentation TO King Alfonso
and to the Pope. II reasscrts that Bel
gians are forced 10 work in munitions
plants and in the building Of fortiticA-
tions. The Spanish Minister formally
presented this complaint to the Char
cellar IN duv