Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 101, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 May 1917 — TO THE BELGIAN PEOPLE. [ARTICLE]

TO THE BELGIAN PEOPLE.

It is to my very great regret that the German troops find themselves compelled to cross the Belgian frontier. They are acting under the constraint of an unavoidable necessity. Belgium's neutrality having been violated by French officers, who, in disguise, crossed Belgian territory by motor car in order to make their way into Germany. ... . ——- Belgians! It is my greatest wish that there may still be a way of avoiding a conflict between two nations which have hitherto been friends, and at one time even allies. Remember the glorious days of Waterloo, where German arms played their part in founding and establishing the independence and prosperity of ymir country- But we must - have a free ’ passage. The destruction of bridges, of tunnetaand of railways will have to be looked upon as hostile acts. Belgians! It is for you to choose! I hope the German Army of the Meuse will not be forced to fight you. A free passage for attack is all we desire. I give formal pledges to the Belgian population that it will have nothing to suffer from the horrors of war, that we will pay in gold for the provisions ffiaf hiust be taken fftiln the cdOHtry, and that our soldiers will prove themselves the best of friends to a people for whom w, ■ 11 -e 1 111 e hii; 11 <-s l es I eel l l and the greatest sympathy. It rests with your good sense and with an intelligent patriotism to save your country from the horrors of war. The General Commanding the Array of the Meuse. VON EMMICH. [This proclamation was distributed by the German army among the Belgian civil population on August 4. 1914. This was the day they violated Belgian neutrality, and they still hoped that the Belgian army would offer no resistance. At W arsage,' the village where this proclamation had been scattered by the Uhlans, 3 civilians were shot, (i hanged, 9 others killed in various ways, and 25 houses were burnt down.] _