At the outbreak of hostilities the Imperial Government, through the
mouth of the Chancellor and of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, did
not search for vain pretexts for the aggression of which Belgium has
been the victim. They justified it on the plea of military interests.
Since then, in face of the universal reprobation which this odious
action has excited, they have attempted to deceive public opinion by
representing Belgium as bound already before the war to the Triple
Entente. These intrigues will deceive nobody. They will recoil on the
head of Germany. History will record that this power, after binding
itself by treaty to defend the neutrality of Belgium, took the
initiative in violating it, without even finding a pretext with which to
justify itself.
* * * * *
WHO BEGAN THE WAR, AND WHY?
ATROCITIES OF THE WAR
* * * * *
[Illustration: HIS HOLINESS THE LATE POPE PIUS X.
(_From a Painting by A. Muller-Ury._)]
By Pope Pius X., Kaiser Wilhelm II., President Poincare, and King
Albert of Belgium.
Official Message from Pope Pius X. at the Vatican, Aug. 2.
At this moment, when nearly the whole of Europe is being dragged
into the vortex of a most terrible war, with its present dangers
and miseries and the consequences to follow, the very thought of
which must strike every one with grief and horror, we whose care is
the life and welfare of so many citizens and peoples cannot but be
deeply moved and our heart wrung with the bitterest sorrow.
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