The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1917-09-06
CASTOR de Laval Addresses Amer
ican Bar Association and Tells
of the Indignities Heaped Upon
Little Kingdom.
MANY ARTICLES OF HAGUE
CONVENTION SWEPT ASIDE
Excessive Fines Imposed; Citizens
Killed or Imprisoned; Men,
Women and Children Deported;
America Is Praised.
Special corr..pouaene. 10 IN. herald


SantoR1 y r.. Sep. 6.-The story
OF three years of German violation of
the covenants ~ the Hague conven-
ton during the Teuionic occupancy
OF Belgium since the world war be-
gan. was oid briefly today by CASTOR
de Leval oi the Bur of Brussels. TO
members of the American Bar Asst
citation. Ia convention here.
Many articles OF the Hague con-
ivention. when tested by the fac'H In
Belgium with the invaders aprly,hg
their own Interpretations. proved
almsot valueiess" Mir. de Levai SAD
The imposing of excessive fines. the
punishment by death and impris"n-
ment of Belgian men and women and
children unNarrantably accused OF
treason aud lesser crimes. and the de-
portation uf his compatriots into
slavery were discussed by Mr.. de Le-
wal from IN, legal standpoint.
Notwithsta nding "ali the sufferinss
and tyranny TO which the Belgian
population has been subjected" trs
speaker asserted. the peopie are as
patriotic now as when in the early
period of the war they stemmsd the
German flood at Lisee.
Population l. Hopeful
mo matter how much the Ger
mans have advertised their victories
. and how powerfully their military sys-
ttm has impressed the Beigian popu-
lation.' he said. that population ~
Just as hopeful as during the first days
that the cause of civilization viii tri-
umph. and that tyranny will De crush-
ed, because they know that right is
might. that risht is the only might.
and that the Lord has said Blessed
are they which hunger and thirst at
ter righteousness. for they shall be
flied
Mr.. de Leval told how the Germans
tried to make capital Of the quarrels
which before the war had taken place
between the Flemish and Walloon
elements OF Belgium the ones des-
cendants OF German tribes and the
others descendants 0f the Romans.
since the very beginning they (the
Gcrmansl cajoled the Flemish popu-
lation." he sid. They tried To make
II believe that Germany was helping
their aspirations 10 free themselves OF
the troublesome Walioons. They told
them that. owing 20 the German cf-
, forts. thess WallOon and French e'o-
menis were To- be set aside and the
Flemish population emerge richer.
frcor with its own language In ths
foreground
siren songs uniccdcd.
But the people did not listen Ia
these siren songs So. the Germans
added compulston to persuasion. and
by their new law made one country
Of the Walloons and one country -
the Flemish. hoping NJ course, that
after the war the Flemish population
at any rate would Ice a stepping stone
FOR Germany Co further conquest
tBut this separation = only ON
paper. and h not and will never ne
completely obtained Az the chiefs
OF Belgian departments have resigned
rather than carry out such instruv-
\ tious ana the Germans. who had.
when thoS came Into Belgium. prun-
ised that an agents Of the Belgian eov-
crumcnt continuing their duties
would always be free. " they so de-
sired. 90 leave ther. posts are ro~
s"nding to German prisons the caiefs
OF those irpartmcrts who have car
ricd out what their cuns riences told
them was their duty"
Mr. de LrNal paid tribute 20 Amer
lca's aid 20 his country. and especr.
=, IS &" Brand Whitloek former n'in-
ister to Belgium. Tits nnine" he said
"wiil go down in history" adding. !
: know that ir no other cnuntry % tho
world. so much ~ in America. in thta
country OF ftfeJom ana justice do ths
a suffering, 80 the Belgians arotss
' sympathy You have saved BolS.um
from starvation and tli the end of al
time there viii be m each village -
Belium memorial put up 20 20
mind future generations that II ,hi
belgiaus race has not died out honai
Tor is preservation is due 20 the Cit
D zens of free and generous America.
Tribute to BraNc Cardinal.
Mr. de Leyal paid tribute also I,
- Cardinal Mercler who. he said. "stoo,
IN the country like living flag b
l. Belgium like a .clisiuuS king. AN
from al the w,rli he received th'
w. homage due 10 his courage aud gen
l. ius.' The spcaker sand that IN
place rerna ned sacred from invas.oi
'e was the church. 10 which 'the ara
p ~ 'he German law did not dare cx
tend the iron fist"
'e Abiding to the Hague convention
n Mr. de Leval quoted article 90. whicl
- states that she military authorlt,