BELGIUM.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 237, 21 September 1914, Page 5

BELGIUM.

GERMAN VANDALISM. AMERICA AROUSED. New York, Sept. 19. The publication of the story of German atrocities in Belgium has provoked a storm of indignation. The newspapers’ cry is that Germany must answer the indictment or stand for ever condemned.

PALACE OF JUSTICE LOOTED. Amsterdam, Sept. 19. The Germans at Brussels forced the doors of the Palace of Justice and removed all objects of historical value. Later these were found in soldiers’ knapsacks. The magistrates protested against the robbery. HIDING THE CRIME. Amsterdam. Sept. 19. The “North German Gazette” says that the officials dispatched to report on the taking of Louvain reporc only on the sth and 6th. The city was in ruins, but most of the public buildings had been preserved, especially the Town Hall. GERMAN CULTURE. DEEDS THAT AROUSE FURY. (Received 21. 9.30 11. m.) London. Sept. 20. In connection with German outrages witnesses vouched that a L ilian officer sabred a man cf 80 vears, because he shook his fist at the intruding Germans, who took his wife, aged 78 vears, slit his forearms and fixed her with two bayonets, thrust to the wall m order to compel her to disclose where money was hid. WILL BE MORE PROVOCATIVE YET. (Received 21, 9.30 a.m.) Brussels, Sept. 20. The German general at Brussels ordered the removal of the Belgian flags as provocative to Germans. ATROCITY COMMISSION’S REPORT. CONCLU SIVE E v IDENCE. (Received 21, 10.55 a.m.) London, Sept. 20. The Belgium Commission’s third report states that between 6000 and 8000 inhabitants of Louvain were confined the whole night in the riding school. The space was so small that all had to stand. Several women lost their reason, and a number of children died in their mother's arms.

The Germans completely burned Vise except the religious establishments. They shot several citizens. Evidence given emphasises the improbability of any rising of a disarmed population. Witnesses . declare the first shots were fired byintoxicated Germans at their own officers. It was notorious that at the same period the. Germans killed one another in the camp at Tesch. NO PROVOCATION CAN BE PROVED. DEEDS TO TERRORISE THE PEOPLE. ACTING UPON INHUMAN THEORIES. (Received 21, 1.30 p.m.) London, Sept. 20. The Belgian Commission's third report continues as follows “A number of places situated in the triangle of Vilvorde, Malines and Louvain were plundered and partially destroyed. The inhabitants were shot without trial and women unable to escape exposed to the brutal instincts of Germans.

‘‘Allowing for isolated cases of hostility, there is nothing to justify the shooting, burning and pillaging of nearly 7 the whole of Belgium. No provocation can be proved at Vise, Maisade, Louvain. Wavre or Termonde.

“The Germans alleged that the Belgian Government distributed arms to the inhabitants, that the Catholic clergy preached a sort of holy war, and that the women were as ferocious as the men, but the. Commission finds that these allegations are a tissue of falsehoods. The burgomasters everywhere warned the inhabitants against acts of violence. “The true motives of the atrocities were the desire to terrorise and demoralise the people in accordance with the inhuman theories of German writers.

“The Commission in its inquiry is (h aling only with facts that are sup ported trust worthy evidence.”

THE CULTURED GERMAN. TAKES ACTION AT LAST.. (Received 21. 1.30 p.m.) London. Sept. 20. A Berlin message states that the Education Department has taken measures to protect Belgian works of art. Military protection is inade quate.