South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-09
FORMAL PROTEST
IS SENT BERLIN
United States Lifts Its Voice
Against DeportationS
of BeIgianS.

WASH NGTON. Dec. S.-The
American governments formal pro-
test 10 Germany against the de-
portatiOn OF Belgians for forced Ia
Dor as a violation Of the principles
of humanity was made public Fri
day by the state department. IL was
in the form of a note. cabled TO
Charge Grew at Berlin with in
structions that he seek an interview
with the German chancellor and
read il 10 him, and was given out
by the department with the terse
comment:
The interview has taken place.
Officials refused 10 add 10 this
statement. and so far as could be
learned Friday night, there has
been no reply from Germany. All
information available, however, in
dicates that the deportations are
continuing, and il is known that
through earlier informal represen-
tations Charge Grew learned that
the German position was that the
policy was military necessity and
not in violation Of international
law.
Others Protest.
With the failure of Americans
efforts. as well as those Of Spain,
Holland and the Vatican, the only
faction which officials here appar-
emily believe this government can
take is the full publication of the
facts in its possession. Admittedly,
diplomatic procedure has been ex-
hausted. The Limited States does not
represent Belgium at Berlin and Is
declared by officials 10 have gone
even beyond the conventional diplo-
matte rights in the matter.
The American note was put on
the cable Nov. 90, the night Of the
day Ambassador Gerard saw Pres't
Wilson preparatory to his return to
Berlin.
It's text follows:
THE government of the United
States has learned with the great
est concern and regret of the policy
of the German government to de-
port from Belgium a portion of the
civilian population for the purpose
OF forcing them TO labor in Germany
and is constrained to protest in a
friendly spirit but most solemnly
against this action, which is in con-
travention of all presidents and of
those humane principles of interna-
tional practice which have long been
accepted and followed by civilized
nations in their treatment of nom
combatants.
Fatal to Relief.
Furthermore, the government Of
the United States is concerned that
the effect OF this policy, if pursued.
will in all probability be fatal to
the Belgian relief work. so humane
" planned and so successfully car
ried out. a result which would be
generally deplored and which, il is
assumed, would seriously embarrass
the German government"
The Belgian deportations, which
first began months ago, assumed
seriousness last August, when Of
fetal reports to the department IN
dictated their wholesale extent.
Charge Grew discussed the matter
with the then Under-Sec'y thinner
man on several occasions, but with
out result. On Oct. &c he was di-
rected 20 take it up personally with
Chancellor Won Hollweg,
an unusual procedure. and to say
what an unfortunate effect the con-
tinuance Of the deportations would
have on neutral opinion, particular
" in America. which country had
had the interests Of Berlin civilians
very much at heart.
Charge Grew reported that the
chancellor had heard his presenta-
ton Of the case, but had offered
neither explanation nor promise.
Thereupon, a series of conferences
followed in Washington between
Pres't Wilson. Sec'y Lansing, Am
bassador Gerard, and Col. e NJ
House. with the result that the for
NAL protest was dispatched.