The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-12

by her, began 10 desolate Europe. On
the other hand, the government OF
the king has noted with pleasure ana
with confidence the assurances that
the United States is impatient to co,
optrate in the measures which VIII
be taken after the conclusion of peace,
to protect and guarantee the small
nations against violence and oppres-
sion
ScrupuIous Neutrality
previous 10 the German ultimatum,
Belgium only aspired TO live upon good
terms with all her neighbours: she
practiced with scrupulous loyalty to.
wards each one Of them the duties inn
posed by her neutrality. In the same
manner she has been rewarded by
Germany for the confidence she placed
in her, through which, from one day TO
the other, without any plausible rea;.
son, her neutrality WAS violated, and
the chancellor Of the empire when an,
nouncing to the Reichstag this viola
ed 10 recognize the iniquity Of such an
act and pre-determine that 1t would be
repaired. But the Germans. after the
occupation of Belgium territory. have
displayed no better observation OF the
rules Of international law or the supu-
lations of The Hague convention. They
have. by taxation, as heavy as 1t Is ar
bitrary, drained the resources or the
country: they have Intentionally ruin
ed It's industries, destroyed whole cit
les, put to death and imprisoned con-
siderable number Of Inhabitants. Even
now, while they are loudly proclatmlns
their desire 10 put an end TO the nor
rors OF war, they increase the rlgors
Of the occupation by deporting INTO
servitude Belgian workers by the
thousands.
IF there is country which has the
right TO say that it has taken up arms
10 defend it's existence, it Is assuredty
Belgium. Compelled to fight or to sub
nit to shame, she passionately desires
that an end be brought to the unprece-
dented sufferings OF her population.
But she could only accept a peace
which would assure her, as well as
equitable reparation, security and
guarantees for the future.
Great Sympathy
The American people, since the pc
ginning Of the war, have manifested
for the oppressed Belgian nation with
it's most ardent sympathy. IL is an
American committee, the Commission
for Relief in Belgium which: IN close
ullOIl Will lIlt ~ .A@AS
and the National Committee, displays
an unliring devotion and marvellous &C
tivity in re-virtuailing Belgium. The
government of the king is happy TO
avail itself of this opportunity TO eX-
press its profound gratitude TO the
commission for relief as we'll as TO the
generous Americans eager 10 relieve
the misery Of the Belgian population.
Finally, nowhere more than IN me
United States nave the abductions and
deportations Of Belgian civilians pro-
yoked such a spontaneous movement
of protestation and indignant ,reproot
These facts, entirely 10 the honor
of the American nation, allow the gov
eminent of the king to entertain the
legitimate hope that at the time OIL the
definitive settlement of this long way;
the voice Of the Entente Powers Will
find in the United States unanimous
echo to claim in favor Of the Belgian
nation. innocent victim Of German am,
bition and covetousness, the rank and
the place which its irreproachabi2
pas,, the valor Of its soldiers, It's fldeil-
ity to honor and its remarkable tacul-
lies for work. assigned to it among CIV
iliZrd nations.