“In this critical situation it was for our country an inestimable tower of strength to see coming forth the resolute and immediate intervention by great and powerful England.
“Commissioned by His Majesty the King of the Belgians with a Mission to the President of the United States, we have considered it to be our duty to make a stay in the capital of the British Empire to convey to your Majesty the respectful and ardent expression of gratitude of the Belgian nation....
“Our adversary, after invading our territory, has decimated the civil population, massacred women and children, carried into captivity inoffensive peasants, put to death wounded, destroyed undefended towns, burned churches, historical monuments, and the famous library of the University of Louvain. All these facts are established by authenticated documents. Each we shall have the honour of submitting to the Government of your Majesty.
“In spite of all this suffering in Belgium, which has been made the personification of outraged right, the country is resolute in fulfilling to the utmost her duties towards Europe. Whatever may happen, she must defend her existence, her honour, and her liberty.”
The King, in reply, said that he would support Belgium, and expressed his horror at the shocking report of German brutality.
The Belgian Minister’s Statements.
The delegation was subsequently received by Sir Edward Grey at the Foreign Office, where they outlined some of the violations of international law and of humanity committed by Germany, viz.:—
1. Violation of Belgium’s neutrality.
2. Taking of several millions of francs from the private National Bank at Liége and Hasselt.
3. Bombardment of the open towns of Louvain and Malines and the bombardment of Antwerp at night by airship without the twenty-four hours’ notice due in international law to the inhabitants of a fortified town.