WILSON'S PEACE NOTE

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13388, 16 January 1917, Page 5

WILSON'S PEACE NOTE

BELGIUM'S REPLY.

BELLIGERENTS' ALMS CONTRASTED.

GERMAN BARBARITY AND VIOLENCE.

REPARATION MUST RE MADE

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Receivid January 15, 12.25 a.m.

LONDON, Jan. 15.

The Press Bureau has issued Belgium's reply to Mr Wilson's Note. It says that the President seems to believe that llu statesmen of the two opposing camps are pursuing the same ends in the war. The example of Belgium unhappily shows this is not so. The barbarous manner in which Germany is treating Belgium does not permit of the supposition that Germany, in the future, will guarantee the rights of those weak peoples which she had not ceased to trample underfoot since the war was unchained by her, and she commenced to desolate Europe. Belgium notes with pleasure and confidence that the United States is anxious to co-operate in measures to be taken after peace to protect and guarantee small nations against violence and oppression. The Note complains that the Germans ruined Belgian industries, destroyed entire towns, killed and imprisoned a considerable number of the inhabitants, and sent into servitude thousands of Belgian workers. Belgian was forced to fight or submit in shame. She passionately desires to end the unprecedented sufferings of her population, but can only accept a peace which will ensure equitable reparations, and guarantees for the future.