The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-24
BELGIUM.
Austrian Emperor Insists on
Full Restoration.
King Albert of Belgium Replies
to POpe's Peace Note.

Rome. Jan. 24.-Emperor Karl of
Austria Hungary is insisting on full
recognition of Belgium's rights against
German militaristic efforts to prevent
an unequivocal Teutonic statement as
to that nation before trial of an un-
precedented west front offensive, ac-
cording to word received by the vati-
can today.
The Holy See regarded the reply of
King Albert of Belgium to the pontif'-
cal peace appeal of last August, just
announced. as of the highest diplo-
matte importance. 1t was held in
some quarters that such a firm state
ment might force some clear definl-
ton of Germany's position as to Bel
GUM.
The Osservatore Romano today de-
clared King IAlbert's note "a splendid
vindication, of the high and noble mo-
tive inspiring the Holy See in the
present world conflict"
=, King Albert's reply emphatically
set forth that Belgium would demand
complete territorial. political and
economic independence and integrity.
Grateful for Pope's Recognition.
Havre, Jan. 23.-The note of the
Belgian government in. reply to the
pope's peace note of last August, fol-
lows in part:
THE royal government as soon as it
received the message of Your Holiness
to the heads of the belligerents has
tened to reply that it wo aid study with
the greatest Difference the proposition
the document exposed in such ele-
waiting language.
AT the same time It desired partic-
ularly to express its lively and pro-
found gratitude for the particular in
terest the Holy Father manifested in
the Belgian nation and of which the
document was new and precious
proofs
AT the outset of his message the
Holy Father took pains to declare he
had forced himself to maintain per-
feet impartiality toward all the beilig-
erents which renders more significant
the judgment of His Holiness when
| he concluded in favor of the total
evacuation of Belgium and the re-
establishment of its full independence
and also recognized the right of Bel
GUM for reparation for damages and
! the cost of the war.
Awaited Allies Announcement.
AT the beginning of September the
royal government informed His Holt
ness that it must reverse in the con-
! dltlon regarding its action on the
propositions contained in the MESA ge
until the powers at war with Belgium
had clearly made known their war
aims 1t added that in any case Bel
GUM would make no pronouncement
on general peace conditions and the
reorganization of international rela-
lions except in full accord with the
powers guaranteeing its full independ-
ence, that have done honor to their
ophsauons, and whose arms fight with
herS Tor the cause of the right
Nothing has modified the situation
! that existed at the moment the royal
! government made known that point
! OF view to his holiness
! The integrity of Belgium, the ter
j ritory of the mother country and col
ONES political, economic and military
/ independence without condition or re-
strlction, reparation for damage suf-
/ Tered and the guarantees against re-
newal of aggression of 1914--such re-
: main the indispensa bic conditions OF
Just peace SO far as concerns Belgium
j ANY settlement that would not recog-