[Signed by M. Gooreman, Minister of State, President.]
* * * * *
"NOT A WORD OF TRUTH."
Denial of Belgian Charges by Count von Bernstorff, German Ambassador at
Washington, Sept. 17.
All that I care to say about the Belgian charges is that I have
officially informed the State Department in Washington that there is not
one word of truth in the statements made to the President yesterday by
the Belgian Commission.
* * * * *
GERMANY'S VERSIONS.
Official Dispatch from Berlin to German Embassy at Washington, Aug.
29.
In consequence of a sudden attack of Belgian troops from Antwerp the
German garrison at Louvain meets the enemy, leaving only one battalion
of the last reserve and army service corps in Louvain. Thinking that
this meant the retreat of the German troops, priests at Louvain gave
arms and ammunition to the civilians, who began, at different places,
suddenly to shoot out of windows at unsuspecting German troops, of whom
many were wounded. A fight of twenty-five hours between German soldiers
and the civil population of Louvain took place. Parts of Louvain were
burning. Civilians met with arms are killed. The manifesto of the Chief
General speaks of bestial cruelties committed on wounded and makes the
magistrates responsible for the provocation and for providing people
with arms.
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