South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-09-30
KING ALBERTs STATEMENT.


The first time King Albert of Belgium gave to the
world large his statement to the conduct
German army in Belgium that January after
noon in 1919 vvben in his own villa AZ IA Panne he
the following interview. Later he reread il
carefully have not changed word. He spoke slow
~ and carefully, waiting for my pencil follow him.
Later when his equerry brought the inter
view officially approved he said This will make his
tory, madame" he that the kings state
ment would carry with it not only conviction but the
outraged sympathy of the American people
Fearful things have been DONE particularly during
the invasion" the king said, weighing his words
fully, "althoogn would be unfair to condemn
whole German army. Some regiments have been most
humane but others behaved very badly Have you
seen the government report"
] said 1 had it, although had heard that
careful Investigation had been made.
The government very cautious his majesty
said. The Investigation absolutely impartial and
accurate it could be made. Doubts were cast on
all statements-even those Of the most dependable wit
nesses-untn they could be verified"
They VERIFIED
Yes; again and again"
by the victims themselves"
"Not always The victims of extreme cruelty do not
live 10 tell of it, but German soldiers themselves
told the story We have had here at La Panne many
hundreds Of journals taken from dead imprisoned
Germans furnishing elaborate details atrocious
acts The government is Keeping these journals They
furnish powerful and ncOntrovertibe testimony what
happened in Belgium when it was swept over by
brutal That of course during the INVASION
such things are not happening now, far as We
know"
He was trying hard to he fair We were still neutral
publish the interview in a neutral country. He
wish involve us to rouse us. He had a
delegation tell the truth but had not
realized then what happening. and had not
heard their story
Slowly and g.avely he He very still
looking ahead, veighing every word.
Thousands OF civilians killed without
The execution of nOn-combatants war, and
excuse can be made for it. Such deeds not be
called war"
if the townspeople fired the Germans
asked.
All weapons had been deposited in the hands of the
authorities. It is unlikely that any organized
In individual cases shots fired at the German sol
diers this may always be condoned in country suffer
ing invasion. During occupation it would be differ
ent naturally. No excuse be offered for such
action m occupied territory
Various Belgian officers have told Of seeing
crowds of men. and children driven ahead Of
German army to protect the troops. This is in
credible that rust ask whether il has any foundation
OF truth"
1T is quite II a barbarOus and inhuman sys-
of protecting the German advance When the Bel
sian soldiers fired the enemy they killed their
people. Again and again innocent civilians both
sacrificed protect the invading army dur
ing attacks. A terrible slaughter"
There much more to the interview but this part
is the part that concerns
There sUrmise i'm the kings statement. II
quiet. dgnihed restrained possible bare recital
fact OF the right Of Germany 10 invade Belgium
there may be differing opinions. on the right of