The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-11-15
Fear Expressed Here That De-
portatlons by Germany viii
Make It Necessary.
ALLIED PROTEST LIKELY
Charge Grew, at American En-
bassy in Berlin, Takes Mat
, ter Up There.

year was expressed In washington
today that the relief OF destitute
Belgium by America may be serious
ly interfered with. perhaps actually
brought to an end.
The fear grew out of the admission
that the deporting OF Belgians into
Germany had reached such a Ecale.
according to official reports. that the
State Department has taken the mat
ter up with the German government.
The German policy, It is under
stood. has BEEN to declare destitute
any able-bodied Belgians who ac-
cept relief supplies and to put them
to work to relieve the strain on pub
lilo charity.
This course. officials here believe
today, may result In England and
France asking that the United states
reief work stop. since 1t apparently
plays Into the hands OF the German
Directed to Act.
Charge Grew at Berlin has been d.
rected to take the matter up per-
sonally with Chancellor Won Beth
mann-Hollweg, telling the latter that
deportation of the Belgians was GER
tain to AFFECT neutral opinion.
Charge Grew, head of the embassy
IN the absence of Ambassador Gerard,
had reported to the State Department
the efect of discussion Of the sub
Jeot with Undersecyetary for Foreign
Affairs Zimmerman. Zimmerman is
said to have told Grew that SO many
Belgians had refused to work that a
policy OF compelling them to work
The allies are expected to take the
view that In compelling Belgians to
work Germany Is seeking to release
Just that many Germans from neces-
n nd tn "a a.
hghting forces.
Not a Protest.
The instructions to Grew were not In
the form of a protest, 1t was explained
today. but a memorandum expressing
the opinion OF this Government. based
on two main arguments:
The inhumanity Of the deportations.
.srhe unfortunate effect they would
have upon neutral nations. particularly
the people Of the United States.
The information on which the memo
randum was based was received by the
department solely from American diplol
matte and consular officials In Belgium.
The departments action was taken on
its own initiative. not on representations
was explained to be similar in principle
to the representations made SOME
months ago to the Turkish govern
ment on the Armenian atrocities.
ocCIShdTy STtW was directed TO take
up the matter at once Informally and
verbally" with the German foreign Of
nee. The State Department hopes for
an early and favorable outcome OF the
negotiations.
Not Without Precedent.
The State Departments representa-
lions to Germany were made as 1.-The
representative of the Belgian govern
ment In German-occupied Belgium"
high State Department official said to-
'However anxious this Government
might have been to make such represen-
tations on the ground OF humanity II
Is not likely we would have done so
were we not representing Belgiums in
tge 8, he said The prac
necessarily without international pre-
cedent to sanction II. It,is often more
the purpose and the methods employed
which cannot be condoned from the
The United States. 1t was officially de-
clared. Is acting independently. Reports
this country would join with Spain. Hol-
land or the Vatican in protesting were
declared untrue. In maintaining indie
pendence In Its protest the United States
10 carrying out a policy adopted for re-
lief work in Syria. Poland, and Ar
mcnia.
Efforts May Avail.
IN Irving 10 ODtaln cessation OF
forced labor and a return to Belgium
of already exiled citizens, the United
States is doing what it did for French
women of Lille who were deported to
Germany. Americas efforts will result In
the return of the women. 1t Is stated.
a protest by Cardinal Mercier. pri-
mate of Belgium. published today. as
serts thousands OF acknowledgements in
Belgium are being deported daily.
Cardinal Mercier first protested
against this October 10. when. acting
with Belgian bishops, he reported
that General Won Kissing. military gov
ernor general of Belgium, had requested
presidents of Comites National de Sc
cours, under penalty of Imprisonment.
10 furnish lists of all Belgians recelv-
ing aid, many refusing and being put
in jail.
Drafts were begun at once on the
lists obtained. Those deported are deslg-
mated to industrial work" How many
have been affected by the order Is not
known.
nII Dill nI-4. n@L