Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-03-10
tcontinuod Trom FIrst Paeel


p rooted in directly opposing posi-
lions
But, nevertheless, shall try my
best.
Answer to question ONE. AS ] do
not believe that Belgium was neutral
mot in the sense Of our neutrality
and as the extracts from secret treat
les between England, France and Bel
GUM, found in the Brussels archives
are so much like the discovered
Japanesc-Mexico plot, ! cannot excuse
Belgium on this score. The Bryce
report and others on the so-called
German atrocities fail TO mention
dates. names and trials. The German
reports, however, which arc in my
possession, give these items Of tho
franktircur warfare OF the Belgians,
justifying stern measures. A citizen
soldiery may fight and expect respect,
but there was none such in Belgium.
refer to Messrs Lewis, Cobb, Hansen,
Bennett and McCutehoon and to their
sworn statements for confirmation OF
my claim, that the Germans did not
commit the atrocities ascribed TO them
in Belgium. ] do not approve the
murder Of non-combatant men, women
and children, the violation Of women
and girls, the destruction Of nOn-com-
Blatant property, but claim that these
things did not occur in Belgium. AS
Tor the deportations, I do not doubt
that there were sufficient reasons for
these measures, just as there must
have been for US, when, during the
Civil war, VIC deported the population
Of three whole counties Of Missouri to
- A
rate we have heard comparatively
little Of those deportations, thanks to
the controlled cables.
Answer to questions TWO, THREE
and FOUR. regret very much the
destruction Of any steamer with
Americans on board. ] have always
stated that the loss Of American lives
on torpedoed vessels was most regret
able, yet | agree with Mr.. Bryan that
no American citizen, with the well
fare of his country at heart, has a
right TO make his country go 10 war
Tor his foolhardincss. If these same
people were killed between the lines
Of combat on land there would be no
thought OF seeking redress. Had we
removed the cause for these disasters,
the travellers, as Britain herself has
done with her own subjects upon
several occasions, VIC would have ex-
perienced no difficulties. Ships, which
carry contraband Of war, which are
being employed for the destruction Of
thousands Of lives are no travelling
lane" for neutrals, especially when
they arc ships Of belligerent nations,
just as little as trains, which pass be-
tween fighting armies. am sorry
these vessels were ever sunk with
Americans aboard, but cannot lose
sight Of the fact that they might have
Travelled on American ships and saved
us all this trouble. This view Of mine
is shared by many other Americans
whose loyalty to America remains UNI
questioned for this belief.
Answer TO question FIVE. Albert
Shaw has written my views on the
Cavell case and ! agree with him. You
may refer to the editorial columns OF
the Review Of Reviews, from which ]
quoted at the time for this answer, al
the exact words are not at hand here
e Ihc Navall case cannot be explaine,
in brief, and l would not state that
approve it, as that would involve ~
entire chapter Of explanation, which
Shaw has devoted TO il.
Answer 10 question SIX. Ferret
out all spies and plotters and give
them their deserved punishment. They
and their work are detestable.
Answer TO question SEVEN. / do ap-
prove the notwithstanding policy
as far as belligerent vessels carrying
contraband are concerned, and where
they arc armed, but not where Ameri-
can ships arc concerned. This would
involve a dissertation upon the block
ade, which also would cover a whole
page. Suffice the first statement.
Answer to question EIGHT. w,
should not submit 70 any outrage. But
the point is right here; Will war give