The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-03-24
ANOTHER PROMISE
rs BROKEN
CONTINUED from Page H.
GERS and take up his official residence

GERS and take up his OIHclal reS1ueuce
at Havre.
after consultation with the COM
mission for relief OF Belgium, Mt
Whitlock has also been instructed 10
arrange for the departure OF the
American members Of the commission
1.-THE step, the seriousness OF which
is fully appreciated by the govern.
ment, was taken only after careful
consideration and full consultation
with all the interests involved.
when diplomatic relations with
Germany were broken off, the formal
procedure would have been to with
draw the minister at Brussels ana
the American members Of the relief
commission Both this government
and commission, however, felt
heavy moral responsibility Tor the
millions of innocent civilians Dehind
the German lines and 1t was decided
that the work of the commission must
be kept going despite all difficulties
until continued American partic1pa-
ton became impossible. For over
two years it has been the single
minded purpose of this government
and commission to see that these
ten million of civilians were fed and
with this end in view, the Americans
concerned have submitted to restr1c-
lions imposed upon them by the Ger
man authorities which under ordinary
conditions would never have been toll
Grated.
Immediately after the break In
relations, the German authorities IN
Brussels withdrew from Mr.. Whit
lock the diplomatic privileges and i'm
,nunities which ne had until that
time enjoyed. His courier service to
The Hague was stopped; he was de-
MED the privilege Of communicating
with the department OF state in ciph-
er and later, even in plain language.
The members OF the relief commits
sion were placed under great restric.
tons of movements and communities
ton which tampered the efficient
performance Of their task.
In spite Of all these difficulties the
government and commission were de-
tea1nined to keep the work going to
the last possible moment.
Nov, however, 8 more serious DIFF
ncuity has arisen. In the course OF
the past ten days several of the COM
missions ships have been attacked
without warning by German subma-
rines in fragrant violation Of the
solemn agreements OF the German
government. Protests addressed by
this government to Berlin through
the Intermediary of the Spanish gov
eminent, 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, 1t Is felt
that the American staff Of the COM
mission can no longer serve with adj
vantage in Belgium. Although YER
bal promise has been made that the
members of the commission would be
permitted to leave II they so desire,
the German governments observance
OF its other undertakings has not
been such that the department would
feel warranted in accepting RESPONSE
bility for leaving these American cit1-
zens in German occupied territory.
This government has approved the
proposal of Tho Netherlands govern
ment to send into Belgium certain
number OF Netherlan subjects to
carry on tho work thus Tar 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, despatched Chairman
Hoover Of the commission. to London
via Spain, to talk over the future Oh
this benefcient situation.
Spain, 1t Is understood, and perhaps
q Scandinavian country will assist
Holland.