The Washington herald., 1917-01-12
BELGIUM LAUDS WILSON
FOR PROPOSING PEACE.
Appeals to U. S. to Aid in Retoring Her
Independence After the War.
The Belgian note follows:


The Belgian note follows:
The government of the King, which
has associated itself with the answer
handed by the President of the French
council to the American Ambassador on
behalf of all, Is particularly desirous OF
paying tribute to the sentiment of hu-
manity which prompted the President OF
the United States to send his note to the
belhgerent powers, and 1t highly esteems
the friendship expressed for Belgium
through his kindly intermediation. 1t de-
| sires, as does Mr.. Woodrow Wilson. to
see the present war ended as early as
possible.
But the President seems to believe
that the statesmen of the two opposing
| camps pursue the same objects Of war.
The example OF Belgium. unfortunately.
demonstrates that this Is In no wise the
fact. Belgium has never, like the central
powers, aimed at conquests. The bar
oarous fashion in which the German gov
ernment has treated, and Is still treat
ing, the Belgian nation, does not permit
the supposition that Germany will pre-
occupy herself with guaranteeing IN the
future the rights of the weak nations
which she has not ceased to trample
under foot since the war. let loose by
her, begun to desolate Europe. On the
| other hand, the government of the King
has noted with pleasure and with con-
| fidence the assurances that the United
States Is impatient to cooperate in the
measures which will be taken after the
! conclusion OF peace to protect and guar
antee the small nations against violence
and oppression.
Aspfred to Live at Peace.
Previous TO the German ultimatum.
Belgium only aspired to live upon good
terms with all her neighbors; she prac-
ticed with scrupulous loyalty toward
each one of them the duties imposed 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 10 the other. with
out any plausible reason. her neutrality
was violated, and the chancellor of the
empire, when announcing to the Reich
stag this violation of right and treaties
was obliged to recognize the iniquity of
such an act and predetermine that 1t
would be repaired
But the Germans, after the occupation
| of Belgian territory, have displayed no
: better Observance of the rules of inter
national law or the stipulations of The
Hague convention. They have, by
taxation. as heavy as it is arbitrary.
drained the resources of the country;
tries, destroyed whole cities, put to death
and imprisoned a considerable number of
inha bitants. Even now, while they are
| loudly proclaiming their desire to put
an end to the horrors OF war, they in
crease the rigors OF the occupation by
deporting into servitude Belgian workers
by the Thousands.
IF there is a country which has the
right to say that 1t has taken up arms
10 defend its existence, 1t is assuredly
| Belgium. Compelled to fight or to sub
NIT to shame, she passionately desires
that an end be brought to the unpre-
cedented suffering 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.
Appreciates U. $. Sympathy.
ming of the war, have manifested for
| the oppressed Belgian nation its most
ardent sympathy. 1t is an American
committee, the commission for relief In
| Belgium. which. in close union with the
government of the king and the national
committee, displays an untiring devotion
| and marvellous activity In revictualing
Belgium. The government OF the King
Is happy to. avail itself of this oppor-
!
to the commission for relief as well as
to the generous Americans eager to re-
lieve the misery OF the Belgian popula-
ton. Finally, nowhere more than in
the United States have the abductions
and deportations OF Belgian civilians
provoked such spontaneous movement
Of protestation and indignant reproof.
These facts, entirely to the honor of
the American nation, allow the govern
ment al Iac q
mate hope that at the time of the defini-
tive settlement of this long war, the
voice OF the entente powers will find in
the United States a unanimous echo to
claim in favor of the Belgian nation, in
nocent victim of German ambition and
covetousness, the rank and the place
which its irreproachable past, the valor
OF its soldiers. its fidelity to honor. and
Its remarkable faculties for work. assign
to 1t among the civilized nations"