Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-02-17
WILL ST TA.ND
BY LC|UM
Allies Will Fight on Until
King Albert is In
Identified
RENEWAL OF PLEDGES
Ministers of Great Britain, France,
and Russia Give Little Nation
Solemn Assurance.

Havre. Feb. 1.-THE allied powers
signatory to the treaty guaranteeing
the independence and neutrality OF
Belgium have decided to renew the
arreement 40 not to end hostilitics until
the political and economic independ-
ence of Belium is re-established and
tho nation is Unidentified for the dam
ages suffered.
This decision was communicated to
the Belgium Foreign Office on Mon
day by the Ministers representing the
Entente Allies.
The Russian Minister acted as
spokesman, addressing the Belgian
Minister for Foreign Affairs as fol-
lows:
''The allied powers signatory to
the treaties guaranteeing the indc-
pendence and neutrality Of Belgium
have decided to renew by solemn ac'
the agfeements made regarding your
country. which has been hcrocally
faithful to its international ohli-
cations. Consequently we, the Minis
ters of France, Great Britain and
Russia, duly authorized by our Gov
crnments. have the honor to make
the following declaration:
":The allied and guaranteeing prS-
ers declare that when the Tomert
comes the Belgian Government sill
be called upon to take part in peace
negotiations, and they will not put
an end to hostlities without Belgium
hdving i'e-cstablishcd its political
and ecoonmic independence and hav-
ing been amply indcmniicd for dam.
ages suffered. They will lend their
aid to Belgium in order to assure its
financial and commercial restoration
The Belgian Foreign Minister. Bar
on Bcyens. replied:
"Thc Government of the King is
profoundly grateful to the gover1-
ments of the three powers guarantee
ing the independence of Belgium of
which YOU are representatives for
their generous initiative in making
known TODAY this declaration. thank
you heartily in its behalf. Your
words will have vibrating echo il
the hearts of Belgians. whether they
are fighting at the front, suffering
in their occupied country or await
ing in eXile-and all with the same
courage-thc hour Of deliverance. The
new assurance which you have inst
given will confirm their unshaka5le
conviction that Belgium will be re-
stored from its ruin and re-establish-
ed in its complete political and econ
omic independence.
81 am certain to express their SEN
timents in telling you that you must
have complete confidence in us, as
we have confidence in our loyal guar
antors, for we are all resolved to
continue the struggle energeticsl!y
with them until the triumph Of the
right. for defense of which we sacri
feed ourselves after the unjustifiable
violation of our beloved country
The italian Minister told Baron
Beyens that although Italy was not
among the powers which guaranteed
the independence and neutrality CT
Belgium. he had no objection to the
foregoing declaration. A similar an
nouncement was made on behalf of
the Japanese Government.
Bv the treaty Of London, signed
November Is, 1881. the neutrality of
Belgium was guaranteed by Austria,
Russia. Great Britain and Prussia.
In 1899 another treaty was signed,
which was subscribed to also by
France. providing: Belgium shall
form an Independent and perpetually
neutral state. It shall be bound to
observe such neutrality toward all
other states"
It has been reported unofficially on
! several occasions recently that Ger
many desired to conclude a separate
peace with Belgium, restoring the
occupied territory and paying an IN
IDENTITY in return for certain com
mercial advantages. Official denial Of
these reports, however, was made
last week by the Belgian legation al