New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-07
Belgian Lawyer
Assails Tyranny
Of German Rule
Edith CavelPs Counsel AID
dresses American Bar
Association

NhhA ObA Dl INl-HpC, DtpN' o.
Elihu Root was tho guest Of honor at
4 dinner given tonight by the Ameri-
can Bar Association, the last event on
NE convention programme.
Others present included military or
naval attaches of the British, French,
Belgian, Russian and Italian en-
bassies and Castor de Leval, who
spoke earlier in the day on the tyranni-
cal administration of German law in
Belgium.
In addition to the text of his pre-
pared speech NJ de Levsl told the story
of the execution Of Edith Cavcll. the
English martyr nurse, whom he repre-
sented during her trial in Belgium. lie
was selected an honorary member of
the American Bar Association.
The appointment of a war work COM
nittee, TO be headed by Mr. Root, was
authorized.
Rights Taken From BelgIans.
VI. de Lcval cited Miss Cayelps case
as an example Of the inability of an
accused person in Belgium to get jus
tica from the Germans. Counsel, as a
rule. he said, is never allowed TO
see his arrested client until the mo-
ment he appears in court. and even
is not always allowed to speak TO the
accused. nor is he shown any docu-
mcnt or informed Of any fact against
his client.
"The examination only of prosecut-
ing witnesses is possible" he con-
tinucd, unless by chance the lawyer
has guessed or found out what the
matter is about and has been able 10
find a witness who had the courage
to confront the court. When you
know all that, can you not say that
taking part in the defence of an &C
cused person IN those conditions IS
sometimes equal to taking part in tho
injustice that is meted out to the &C
cused? No case could have better
illustrated this than that of the heroic
nurse. Edith Cayell.'
The imposing of excessive fines. the
punishment by death and imprison-
mcrt Of Belgian men and women and
children unwarrantably accused OF
treason and lesser crimes, and the
deportation of his compatriots into
slavery were discussed by VI. de Leval
from the legal viewpoint
Notwithstanding call the sufferings
and tyranny TO which the Belgian pop
ulation has been subjected" the
speaker asserted, the people are as
patriotic now as when in the early
period Of the war they stemmed the
German flood at Legc.
"No matter how much the Germans
have advertised their Victories and
how powerfully their military system
has impressed the Belgian population"
he said. that population is Just as
hopeful as during the first days that
the cause Of civilization will triumph
and that tyranny will be crushed. be-
cause they know that right is might;
that right is the only might, and that
the Lord has said: BLESSED are thew
which hunger and thirst after right
eousness, for they shall be filled"
Mr.. de Leval told how the Germans
tried to make capital of the quarrcls,
which, before the war, had taken place
between the Flemish and Walloon ele-
mcntS Of Belgium the ones descend
ants of German tribes, and the others
descendants of the Romans.
"Since the very beginning they (the
Germans caioled the Flemish popula-
ton" he said. They tried 10 make it
believe that Germany was helping their
aspirations TO free themselves Of the
troublesome Walloons. They told them
that, owing to the German efforts, these
Walloon and French elements were TO
be set aside and the Flemish population
emerge richer, freer with its own lam
guage in the foreground.
German Trick in Vain
but the people did not listen to
these siren songs. SO the Germans
added compulsion to persuasion, and by
their new law made one country of the
Walloons and one country OF the Elem
ish, hoping, Of course. that after the
war the Flemish population at any tate
would be a stepping stone for Germany
10 further conquest.
But this separation is only on paper
and is not and will never be complete
" obtained. All the chiefs of Belgian
departments have resigned rather than
carry out such instructions, and the
Germans, who had. when they came into
Belgium. promised that all agents Of
the Belgian government continuing
their duties would always be free. IL
they so desired, to leave their posts,
arc now sending 20 German prisons tho
chiefs Of those departments who have
carried out what their consciences told
them was their duty"
Mr.. de Levsl paid tribute to Amer.
ica's aid 20 his country, and especially
10 Brand Whitlock, former Minister to
Belgium. "Iis name" ne said. will 90
down in history" adding; 81 know that
in no other country of the world. so
much as In America, in this country Of
freedom and justice, DO the suferings
Of the Belsians arouse sympathy. You
have saved Belgium from starvation,
and I'll! the end of AL time there will
be IN each village Of Belgium
memorial put up 10 remind future gen
erations that If the Belgian race has
no, died cut, honor for its preservation
is due to the citizens OF free and gem
erous America