Omaha daily bee., 1917-01-12

quests. ne DdrDdTOus ldohioh III
which the German government has
treated and is still treating the Bel
gian nation does not permit the sup
position that Germany will pre-occupy
herself with guaranteeing in the iu-
ture the rights OF the weak nations
which she has not ceased to trample
under foot since the war, let loose by
her. began to desolate Europe.
Notes With Pleasure.
"On the other hand the govern
ment OF the king has noted with pleas
ure and with confidence the as
surances that the United States is i'm
patient to cooperate in the measures
which will be taken after the conclu-
sion OF peace to protect and guarantee
the small nations against violence and
oppression.
Previous to the German ultimatum.
Belgium only aspircd to live upon
good terms with all her neighbors;
she practiced with scrupulous loyalty
towards each one of them the duties
imposed by her neutrality. In the
same manner she has been rewarded
by Germany for the confidence she
placed in her, through which from one
day to the other, without plausible
reason, her neutrality was violated
and the chancellor of the empire when
announcing to the reichstag this vio-
lation of right and of treaties, was
obliged to recognize the iniquity OF
such an act and predetermlne that 1t
would be repaired. The Germans, al
ter the occupation of Belgian terri
tory, have displayed no better observ-
ance Of the rules of international law
or the stipulations Of The Hague con-
vention. They have, by taxation, as
heavy as it is arbitrary, drained the
resources of the country; they haye
Intentionally ruined is industries. de-
stroyed whole cities, put to death and
imprisoned a considerable number OF
inhabitants. Even now, while they
are loudly proclaiming their desire to
put an end to the horrors of war, they
increase the rigors of the occupation
by deporting into Servitude Belgian
workers by the thousands.
"If there is a country which has the
right to say it has taken up arms to
defend its existence it is assuredly
Belgium. 1t is compelled to fight or
submit to shamel She passionately de-
sires that an end be brought to the
unprecedented sufferings Of her popu-
lation. But she could only accept
peace which would assure her. as.
we'll as equitable reparation. security
and guarantees for the future.
THE American people, since the be-
ginning of the war, have manifested
for the oppressed Belgian nation its
most ardent sympathy. 1t is an Amer
ican committee, the commission tor
relief in Belgium, which, in close
union with the government OF the
king and national committee, displays
an untiring devotion and marvellous
activity in revictualing Belgium. The
government of the king is happy to
avail itself of this opportunity to ex-
press its profound gratitude to the
commission for relief as well as to
the generous Americans eager to re-
lieve the misery of the Belgian popu-
lation. Finally, nowhere more than
in the United States have the abduc-
tions and deportations of Belgian civ
ilians provoked such spontaneous
movement of protestation and indig-
nant reproof.
These facts, entirely to the honor
OF the American nation, allow the
government of the king to entertain
the legitimate hope that at the time
of +ha da6p;te settlement of this LONG
war, the voice of the entente powers
will find in the United States unani-
nous echo to claim in favor of the
Belgian nation, innocent victim OF
German ambition and covetousness,
the rank and the place which its ire
proachable past, the valor OF its SOL
diers, its hdelitw to honor and its re-
markable faculties for work assign to
it among the civilized nations"