THE BELGIAN BATTLEGROUND
Reading edition
By the HON. WILLIAM H. TAFT.
[From King Albert’s Book.]
THE heart of the world should go out to the poor people of Belgium. Without being in any respect a party to the controversies of the war, their country has been made the battleground of the greatest and in some respects the most destructive war in history. Any movement to relieve their distress has my profound sympathy.
[The following letter from the Belgian Legation at Washington certifies the official character of the documents presented below.—Editor.]
LEGATION DE BELGIQUE, WASHINGTON, D.C.
Jan. 25, 1915.
To the Editor of The New York Times Current History:
In accordance with the request, in your letter of December 10th addressed to the Belgian Minister, for official documents published by the Legation, I have the pleasure of sending you, herewith, by the Minister's instructions, a copy of a pamphlet entitled "The Innocence of Belgium," dealing with the Military Documents published recently in The New York Times.
I also take this opportunity to transmit you a copy of a pamphlet entitled "Why Belgium Was Devastated," containing translations of the German Proclamations issued in Belgium.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES GUSTAVUS WHITELEY.
[BELGIAN LEGATION ARTICLE NO. 1.]