The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-27
XII
A Proposal for Peace-Laying
All the Cards on the
Table.

The president, during my visit 10
America In 1915. impressed upon me
his great interest in the BeiEians de-
ported TO Germany. Tire action OF
Germany In thus CARRYING a great
part OF the male population OF Bel
gum into virtual slavery had reused
great indignation IN America AZ the
revered Cardinal Farley said to me
a few days before my departure;
You have to go back to the time OF
the Medes and the Perslans to find
a like example OF a whole people
carried into bondage"
Mr.. Grew had made representa-
tons about this 20 the chancellor and
on my return I imm ediatefy took
up the question.
l was informed that II was a mil
itary measure, that Ludendroff had
feared that the British would break
through and overrun Belgium and
that the military ala not propose 10
have n hostile population nj their
backs who might cut the rail lines
Of munication, telephons and
telegra phs, and that for this reason
the deportation had been decided on.
was. however. told that | might have
permission 70 visit these BelFtans.
made such visiting posrible. were not
delivered until few DAYS before !
left Germany.
Several Of these TelRians who were
put to work in Berlin managed to
get away and come 70 see me. They
gave me a narrowing account of how
they had been seized In Belgium end
made to work in Germany at making
munitions TO be used, probably.
I
the chancellor: There are Belgians
employed In making shells contrary
70 all rules Of war and The Hague
conventions" He said, II do not
believe tt said: MY automobile
! IS NJ the door can take YOU 10
where thirty Helgians are working on
tho manufacture of ehells IN four
minutes" But he ala not fnd time
70 go
Americans must understand that
/ the Germans viii %ton nj NOTHING to
! win this war ana that the only thing
! tAe't resrect Is force
/ Will" 7 was IN America von Iagow
! had fallen. rs had been predicted by
/ F1is cner@'es I'm Berlin. and had given
/ pl9c CO 10 Gimme rrnann
! remained a dar I'm ~orenhs zen in
I order 70 arrange FOR the transporta-
/ ton ia Germany Of the three tons Of
/ food which had brought from New
! York and also in order TO unch with
! Count Rantzau the German minister
! = .oAost hfc dlnionast
f:tsfatSrnFS-r WILSON'S
/ PLACE NOTE
I Therefore the presidents neace
/ note arrived IN Berlin Just ahead Of
! me- and was delivered by Mr. Grew
! few hours before my arrival Joseph
/ e Grew. or Boston. was next tn COM
/ nand during all my stay in Berlin
! Fe most ably carried on the work
/ Of the embassy during my absence on
| the trim to America FRI the autumn
/ of 1915 and NJ all times was OF the
| greatest assistance to me. I hope TO
1 ser him so far in his career.
/ This note was dated December IT,
| 1915. and war addressed BY tho Sc
! cretarv Of state 10 the American am
hasa doris at the canitals OF the bel
I ligerent powers. II commenced as
/ fellows:
The president directs me TO
send you the following coYnmuni-
cation TO be presented immedi-
ately to the minister OF foreign
affairs Of the government to
which you are accredited,
The president Of the United
States has instructed me TO sug-
gest to the there is inserted a
eeignation OF the government
addressed) q course OF action in
regard to the present war which
| he hopes that the government
will take under consideration as
| suggested in the most friendly
spirit, etc.
In the note which was sent TO the
Central powers II was stated:
The suggestion which I am
instructed TO make the president
( has long had il In mind to offer
He is somewhat EN- barhasoed to