The Washington times., 1917-03-24
IWHITLOC.K CALLED
OUT OF BELGIUM
u. S. Charges at Same Time
Flagrant Violation of Prom
iSes by Germany.
(continued from First Pase.J

addressed by this Government to Ber-
lin through the intermediary Of the
Spanish government have not been
answered.
THE German governments disre-
gard of its written undertakings
causes grave concern as to the future
of the relief work. In any event, II
is felt that the American staff of the
commission can no longer serve with
advantage in Belgium. Although a
verbal promise has been made that
the members of the commission would
be permitted to leave h they so de-
sired, the German governments OBJ
servance of its other undertakings
has not been such that the depart
ment would feel warranted in accept
ing responsibility for leaving those
American citizens in German occupied
territory"
Text of Statement.
The official statement on the changes
said:
by direction Of the President. the
minister at Brussels has been instructed
to withdraw from Belgium with all
diplomatic and consular officers, and
take up his official residence at HaVre.
After consultation with the commits
sion for relief in Belgium. Mr.. Whitlock
has also been instructed to arrange for
the departure of the American members
Of the commission.
This step, the seriousness OF which is
fully appreciated by the Government,
was taken only after careful considera-
tion and full consultation with all the
interests involved
when diplomatic, relations with
Germany were broken off, the normal
procedure would have been to with
draw the minister at Brussels and
the American members Of the relief
commission. Both this Govrnment
and the commission, however, felt a
heavy moral responsibility for the
millions of innocent civilians behind
the German lines, and it was decided
that the work of the commission must
be kept going despite all difficulties
until continued American participa-
tion became impossible.
singIe-MInded Purpose.
For over two years it has been the
single-minded purpose Of this Gov
ernment and the commission to see
that these 10000, 900 Of civilians were
fed, and with this end in view, the
Americans concerned have submitted
to restrictions imposed on them by
the German authorities which, under
ordinary conditions, would never have
been tolerated.
Immediately after the break in re-
1ations the German authorities in
Brussels withdrew from Mr.. whitIock
the diplomatic privileges and immuni-
ties which he had until that time en-
5eyed. His courier service to the
Hague was stopped: he was denied
the privilege of communicating with
the Department OF State in cipher,
and later even in plain language. The
members Of the relief commission
OF, movements and communication
which hampered the efficient per-
formance Of their task. In spite of
all these difficulties the Government
and commission were determined to
keep the work going till the last pos
sible moment =
More Serious.
Now, however, a more serious diff
ficulty has arisen In the course of the
commissions ships have been attack
ed without warning by German sub
marine in fragrant violation of the
solemn engagements of the German
government.
Protests addressed by this govern
ment to Berlin through the interme-
diary of the Spanish government have
not been answered. The German
governments disregard of its written
undertakings causes grave concern
as to the future of the relief work
In any event II is felt that the Amer
ican staff of the commission can no
longer serve with advantage in Bel
GUM
Although a verbal promise has
been made that the members of the
commission would be permitted to
leave IL they so desired, the German
governments observance of its other
undertakings has not been such that
the Department would feel warrant
ed in accepting responsibility for
leaving these American citizens in
German occupied territory.
This Government has approved the
proposal OF the Netherlands govern
ment to send into Belgium a certain
number of Netherlands subjects to
carry on the work thus far performed
by the American staff"
The fact that the protest had been
made to Germany since the several
recent torpedoings came to light only
when the statement was issued. The
department has been struggling for a
long time to adjust the troubles over
the relief work, and only about two
weeks ago dispatched Chairman
Hoover of the commission to London
via Spain to talk over the future of
this benehcent institution.
Spain, IL is understood, and perhaps
a Scandinavian county, will assist
Holland in this work of mercy.
increases Tension.
The tone of the departments state
ment served measurably to increase
the tension in Washington over the
German situation and to emphasize
the fact that the Administration, con-
WINGED of the certainty of war, has
thrown OF all restraint in branding
the German promises as valueIess.
Discussion by the Cabinet yesterday
OF plans for the extension of huge
loans to the entente allies, was under
taken. The Times was reliably in
formed today, with the distinct under
standing, conveyed to the President
by the State Department, that the al
lied governments would consider such
aid as most effective at this time.
Ultimately, however, the Admins
tration realizes that IT may be neces-
sary for the United States to send a