1918-09-30 — Page 7

THE

Thus the

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HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 80TH, 1918,

U-BOAT ATROCITY. FISHERMEN MURDERED, Four survivors of two fishing smacks (1)—The claim to a large indemnity which were sunk by a German submarine from Germany and Austria-Hungary. wars landed at an East Coast naval basi The conventions are formal, and the by British motor launch, and related tony of circumstances has brought it to representative of Daily Telegraph & about that the article upon which our story which equals in atrocity anything claims are based is due to the initiative that has yet been achieved in German of Germany at The Hague Conference undersea warlare. In a sentence, their Perhaps the Chancellor, Bethmann-story is that a German submarine board- Hollweg remembered this point of in ternational right when he promised Belgium legitimate compensation for the violation of her neutrality.

arms to respect," her engagements, evenWe can, however, already examine what BELGIAN NEUTRALITY.

without Belgium appealing for inter-will be the claims that Belgium would TODAY AND TO-MORROW',

vention. They were united anlong them have to put forward in any case after the selves by a solemn engagement, and in victory of the Allies:- JOY FRID. VAN DER LINDEN.)*- The Allied Governments have been un-accordance with this engagement they animous since the beginning of the war were bound to defend together the neutral in "announcing that no peace could be territory unjustly violated. In like man- signed until Belgium was restored to com, we could not carry out our Buties of plote economic and political independence, neutrality partially. Finally, the guar- o complete national severeignty, and to antee of the Treaty of 1859 bound all the rritorial integrity in Europe and in signatory Powers equally. Africa Nothing could be more just. To treaty certainly formed an indivisible bmit the possibility of a compromise whole, nad no Power could in any circum with Germany, who would ignore the starices allege its private interests as a solemn engagements entered into by the reason for the breaking of its engage Great Allied Powers with regard to Bel-ments... or claim to execute them only gium, would be so monstrous" from the partially, point of view of morality, that no Belgian worthy of the nuine has over contemplated the possibility of such a thing. Many of however, pre- ur compatrióta are, sccupied, and not without reason, as to the international status of Belgium after. peace. Must she again become the neutral State, the famous buffer-State, that she

was before the war.

."

FIVE NATIONS QUAKANTIES. The final object for which all the Powers united in 1839, perhaps to the detriment of their political and economic expansion, was European equilibrium. assure the peace of They wished to Europe, and the best way to do so, accord ing to them, was to confirm the integrity and the independence of Belgian territory in such a manner that the new kingdom. of became a neutral zone at the meeting the English, French, and German civilisa tions, where none of the great border States would be menaced; Belgium became They fixed the condi- a "buffer-State."

To begin with, it would not be out of place to come to an agreement as to the Bense given to the word "neutrality" by

·legal experts. Neutrals are those who do not take the side of one of the ballons of the contract, but behind the

(2)It is certain that Belgium can

the two smacks, in succession, took away' all the lifebelts, deliberately de stroyed the lifeboats placed the crows on the deck of the U-boat, and then, after looting and sinking the smacks, sub-

no longer see imposd upon her a unu-merged, and left the crews to drown. trality based upon the interests of the

There were eight men in all we belong Great Powers The Belgians now know

ing to the English smack Hay Jack, and to what the honourable engagements of

three to the Belgian smack God's Genada, Germany and Avatria-Hungary amount and of these four were drowned-Thomas They can no longer solisit any surt

Croucher, mate; Thomas Claxton, cook; of "guarantee of their neutrality from

They will, an the and Frederick Simons, fourth hand, ol those two Powers contrary, have to take special measures the Boy Juck and Frank Pieters, son of of protection against these Powers in

accord with England and France. the skipper of the God's Genada.

They also are unfortunately aware that

FUROPE'S DEBT TO BELGIUM.

こ

די.

1

It was between four and half-past

England and France were not in a con-tour in the morning," said Skipper dition to defend our territory against

Harry Howe, of the Boy Jack, when Germany in 1914.

the submarine opened fire on us with a machine rifle. We had seen the sub- marine" for some time before that, but thought it was British They left ode

The Governments of the Allies have loyally recognised that Belgiam saved Europe from a disaster by her resistance

and took the smack at Liege, at Antwerp, and afterwards on

the Од there is the ser. It is, therefore, logical that a man

new international statute regarding Bel-

rest of us on to the fore deck of

went. stum should be the reward for the gerosam

All

03

signatures of the Ambassadors represent gerents in a war, and remain outside the ing the five nations "guaranteeing the neutrality of Belgium, besides the force struggle. Neutrality, then, is not really of the legal doctrine regulating the forms

Neu- and the effects of civil coverally effective except in cused of war. trality, however, exists in time of peace the honour of the nations

ed to respect the neutrality of Belgium it rests upon the collective decision of the amions interested in that neutrality of what value would be these treaties of her troops. Since the duties of coun: the submarine." They then implies special duties. A neutral country placed beneath the guarantee of several tries that are perpetually dentral do not board the smack and looted it, bring- must show itself to be impartial towards Powers if it were not understood that perinit them to pay equal regard t the belligerents in case of a conflict; it these great nations were all alike com- countries without distinction, Belgium, ing away everything that they could

take special must be equally friendly with both; it mitted to their solemn eaths, and that since she has been obliged to must not favour the one as the other's they would, if required, take all necessary precautions against Germany and Ang more, except the fish of which we had &; expense; it must not favour the military measures, against one or more of them-tria, must renounce her neutrality; be good catch, and of that they took two This Bel selves even, to prevent these treaties from must claim from France, England, Italy baskets of soles, five turbots, a brill, and operations of either of them.

the United States, Fortagal, and Japan. gium had perfectly well understood and being violated without scruple? practised before she received the odious

As Mr. Lloyd George said on July 1st, and the other Allied nations the formal a big conger eel. They brought away all German ultimatum. The obligations of 1917, on the occasion of the celebration of guarantee of her independence and of the food, the men's clothes, the compass,

Belgium will the treaty of 1830 were performed to the the anniversary of Belgian Independence: her national integrity. letter.

Modern diplomacy has devised the plan take part in the discussion of the treaty and all the brass and iron that could be Obligations! That is the word that of putting Belgium, if I may so express of peace, and it is then that she will be moved. They came back in our boat, out of bounds, with the view of able to claim from the Allies all the mes- bringing the last of our men with them, dominates the entire problem of Belgian it,

not preserving the freedom of Europe; to sures capable of safeguarding her the boat being loaded right up as much They had put a neutrality. This neutrality was

It is further to be remarked as she could carry. granted to the Belgians in 1839 as respond prevent, on the one hand, an aggressive.destinies. ng to the wishes of the nation; it was France from destroying Germany, and, on that the declaration of Ste. Adresse has bomb on board the smack and she blew imposed upon them by the Great Powers the other, an aggressive Germany from added a new element to the Treaty of up, and then they rammed the lifeboat signatories to the treaty. This explains destroying France. The treaty of Belgian 1839: Belgium has seen the economic ties and sank her. the character of Belgian neutrality, which neutrality was one of the fortresses of that unite her to the defenders of her is essentially different from that of public right in Europe. Belgium was the neutrality drawn closer France and Eng Switzerland, for example (181,5), of the guarantee of the freedom of Europe. This land do not merely wish to restore her Grand Duchy of Luxembarg (1887), or was the mest lofty, the most honourable, political independence. They now guar even of the Belgian Congo (1885). By the and the most dangerous mission that has antee to her economic independence and Act of Paris of November 15th, 1815, six eser beez imposed upon a people. The offer to help in her industrial, end com-

people has faithfully and loyally mercial restoration. of guaranteed the neutrality Switzerland as answering to the will of accomplished its mission.

Belgian peatrality still subsists, in spite the tation itself, and also as being in accordance with European interests. The of the perjury of Germany and Austria It has been for her protection that Eng situation, as created for Belo destroy land has taken up arms, and that America revolution of 1830 has at last understood that, if Belgian neutrality would not be victoriously de- fended, there would be an end to the value of treaties; honour, human conscience, all moral forces would alike be bankrupt.

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ed the work of the Great Powers which constituted the Kingdom of the Low Countries in 1815. There were two pro jects, chat of January 20th and June 28th, 1831-the latter known as the Trouty of the 18th Articles "before the treaty of November 15thy was reached. This trenty contained twenty-four articles. The final and definitive treaty was that of April FASIOUS TREATY OF 1831.

19th, 1939.,

We have neglected to mention again the name of Russia side by side with those of France and of England. Of what use is it to await from her any sort of authority after the war, beyond her fron- tiers, when she herself will be in great need of some authority to guide her in her own affairs

AT THE PEACE COUNCIL.'

"Wo remained on deck for about two hours before they attacked the Belgian smack. We were only half-dressed--some with only a jumper on; one man had the submarine deck. The Germans did only one boot, and we were drenched on The commander not talk to us much. asked us about minefields, and he brought out a chart and told me to mark the position et a lightship that was in sight, but I don't think he knew a ict of Eng- lish."

been closed down. Then the U-boat sub- merged, and left them all struggling in the water. He was almost unconscions She when picked up by a motor-launch about half an hour afterwards. This was the second time he bad had his vessel sunk by a submarine, and the second, which was about 80 feet or 90 feet long, was a mach larger vessel than the first On another occasion he had the satisfaction

of seeing a German submarine destroyed. George Underdown, third hand of the Boy Jack, corroborated this story. He

After attacking the Belgian smack, Skipper Howe said, they made him go on Belgium has proved to the nations that

Then they signed her birth-cetificate that she was board and help to loot her. Many Belgians have asked why their worthy of complete autonomy. She has put all the eight men on the foredeck, Government did not adhere to the Treaty proved it by her internal organisation, and some time afterwards they sighted She a word of warning to their captives the of London. We do not see what advan

artistic, and moral development. tage the country would have nine drum by her great commercial, industrial, two British motor launches, and without such an attitude, unless we admit the proved it by the world-wide dissemination Germans disappeared, and climbing on thesis that the Treaty of 1839 exists only of her activity, which has not shrunk to the conning-tower he found it had for the safeguarding of the rights of from the most laborious tasks not even In the treaty of June 28th, 1831, it 18 Belgium to reparation. How Belgium that of opening to civilisation in the declared that the five Powers signatories has a privileged position in this war. The heart of Africa an enormous country yes to the treaty recognise that Belgium is a bancellor of the German Empire has terday given over to savagery. perpetually neutral State, and agree to declared in the Reichstag that "the viola proved it, above all, by the manner in refrain from interfering, with her internal tion of Belgian neutrality was a violation, which she has always, even until the day politics. They guarantee to her perpetual of the rights of peoples; that he was con- before the most odious of martyrdoma neutrality, as also the integrity and scious of the wrong that be was doing respected the neutrality that has been m inviolability of her territory. The treaty that the Empire assumed the respon posed upon her. of November 15th, 1631, repents these pro-sibility and offered to make reparation." visions in Article 7. Belgium, it says, Belgium is the victim of Germany and of will form a State that is perpetually Austria-Hungary. Can it be supposed for

Belgium has, therefore, the right to neutral and independent. She will be a single moment that she has the inter-present herself with confidence at the ton- constrained to observe this neutrality tion of making a separate peace with ference which, in settling the peace of towards all other States, and not only them? Her loyalty of yesterday is a gage the world, will also be called upon to also has had a previous escape from a towards the Powers that are guaranteeing of her loyalty of to-morrow. And as for pronounce upon her individual case. The fishing smack which was sunk by a het, neutrality, as might have been be- the engagements of the Powers of the terrible sacrifices that she has endured U-boat. The mate of the Boy Jack, who lieved. Article 25 states that the Courts Entente towards, Belgium, have they not and the eminent services that she has could not swim, tried to catch hold of that are signatories to the treaty guar been abundantly renewed since the begin rendered to the Allies permit her to claim him in the water, but it was all he could antee its execution. The treaty of April ring of the war in all the circumstances ample reparations and serious guarantees do to save himself.

We cannot doubt tous 19th; 1830, signed by France, Austria, in which the Governments of the Allied for the future.

Frank Pieters, ekipper of the God's Prussia, and Russia, con- countries have had cecasion to recall the she will obtain a large indemnity, for Great Britain, - firms the neutrality of Belgium and the end to be attained and the task to be she will have to rebuild her wrecked towns Genada, is a fisherman who came over The solemn declaration and villages, restore her economic equip to England na a refugee at the end of guarantee of the signatory Powers. This accomplished? treaty might, indeed, be taken as a con- made at Ste. Adresse on February 16th.ment, and pay the debts that she has con- 1814, bringing his family with him in tract between the Powers on the one side 1916, in the name of France, Russia, and tracted in order to continue hostilities his smack. The submarine stopped him: con at about six o'clock, by firing shots from and Belgium on the other, for it implies England, has, moreover, confirmed these The social organisation, with ite

They capsized his boat, engagement on both sides, and has re-engagements: The Allies and the guar-plicated and delicate machinery, which a revolver.

enemies have vainly striven to brought the submarine alongside of his. course to the same principles that regulate anteeing Powers declare that, when the our contracts in civil law. Article 1,184 of the moment shall have arrived, the Belgian destroy, calls for the most tender care and craft, and took off everything they could Civil Code declares that,

Belgium awaits them from carry, making the English skipper help in case one of Government shall be called upon to take solicitude the parties fails to keep his engagement part in the negotiations for peace, and France, from England, and from the them. The officer questioned him about, These Powers minefields, and showed him a chart on the contract is not necessarily rendered that they will not cease hostilities until United States of Americ of necessary which there were no mine fields marked, void thereby. The party with regard to Belgium shall have been restored to her will accomplish a work whom the contract has not been carried political, and economic independence and justice in giving to Belgium & new in- asking him to point out where they werd, out has the choice either of forcing the largely indemnified for the damage that ternational status based upon the com- He said he did not know. Ho saw five other to execute the Convention, where she has suffered. They will lend their aid plets freedom that she should possess Germans on the conning-tower, while this is possible, or of claiming that it to Belgium in order to assure her com after the war to contract such political three more were looting the smack, and shall be brought to an end with the pay-mercial and financial restoration."

or economic agreements with the nations there was also a boy of about 16, who was of her choice as may be useful for herick They were all young men none of meat of damages. But there are, unfor

development. tunately, no tribunals from which Bel

"Whatever Although they were not among the

maybe the dispositions them more than 26 or 28. They put gium can claim damages.

Germany imposed an ultimatum upon Powers guaranteeing the independence adopted with regard to Belgium and the small bomb on his vessel, and they Belgium at the beginning of the war. and the neatrality of Belgium, Italy and safeguards to be provided against Ger all laughed when it went down. They Could Belgium let the German troops pass Japan associated themselves with this many and Austria-Hungary, it seems that langbed, too, when he told them in more lofty aim must be attained, that answer to their questions, that he was a without herself violating her engagements diplomatic act.

married man with seven children." His It remains for us to examine towards the Powers that guaranteed her

what's more lofty ideal dominates the . son Frank, who was drowned, was 221 neutrality! No, she certainly pould not should be the international status of Bel- tion of Belgian neutrality. As do this, since she was constra

strained to gium after the war and to pronounce our Asquith said, in his remarkable speech years of age. The God's Genada was not favour no belligerent. To grant a passage Relves for or against a new régime of delivered at the Guildhall," the rights his amack, but belonged to a Belgian They were just returning Let us at once admit that of small nations must be henceforth gentleman. to the German army was to give the neutrality. advantage to the aggressor and to permit the political situation of Europe is no established after the war ca sa inviolable with good catch when she was sunk,

"Millions of men have died that her to attack the French army before it longer to-day what it was in 1839. The basis"

on board VR Conquerors, had time to complete its mobilisation: | German Empire has been formed.. Pan-1a great breath of political emancipation and there was about £100 worth of fish Article 5 of The Hague Convention of Germanism has dreamed of rendering the may purify the world.

All the survivors agreed that the Ger October 18th, 1907, on the rights and whole of Europe subject to the German autocrats, negotiators of mighty diploma duties of neutral Powers, also stipulates yoke. France has become a great Colonial tic and financial machinations will be mans seemed hungry. They were munch clearly that a neutral Power cannot allow Power. England has drawn closer the swept away by the great storms of fire ng atolen biscuits while they were carry the troops or the convoys of a belligerent links that bind her to her Colonial Em- and blood. New international rights will ing away the loot, and some of the sales to pass through her territory. All jurists pire. The Eastern question appears assure the reign of peace. The martyr Enken from the English amack wern cook are, for that matter, in agreement, upon again. There will be thorny discussions dom of Belgium is but a typical incidented as soon as they got then on to the sub- as to frontiers among the Balkan States, in the world-wide catastrophe from which marine. They saw the refuse thrown this point, which is essential.

It may be asked whether, since the Rasoia bas shaken off the yoke of Tsarism, will arise the society of nations, Car overboard. Simons, it was stated, was s but it will be the most worthy of good swimmer, but seemed to lose his of which we cannot foresee the issue. The perpetual, it does not exist even after the United States of America have taken part caused to germinate the great thought of

WHIL 10 violation of that neutrality by Germany. We incline to the afirmative. The signa in the political affairs of Europe Final moral solidarity that has urged us tory Powers, in order to insure the balance, we do not know what the future unite, from Japan to Flanders, our re- Asked whether he thought it was the of power in Europe, had engaged them serves for us, and what exactly will be sources, our efforts, our suffering our intention of the submarine to take the Belves not to violate Belgian territory in the results of the war. It would, there miseries in a like fraternal aspiration crews prisoners, Skipper Hown said, case of war. If one of them failed of her fore, be quite preranture to discuss now towards the new rule of justice and of No, they took all the lifebelts, down

Daily Telegraph. word the other Powers were under then what sense the international policy of freedom for the whole of humanity below, but they sank the boata. It was

nothing but cold-blooded murder." obligation to compel her with force of Belgium should be directed.

WHAT BELGIUM CLAIMS.

obligation of neutrality is permanent and and is a prey to a grave internal crisis tain's claims, to glory that she has nerve. The other men drowned could not

THE BOWLS MATCH.

GEBY.-Sheer rubbery, that's what I ca' it. I was lyin' three

sfore that yin cam up. RUSY.-Aye, an what's main, that makes' twenty-wan and you

pay for the War Bond Ticket..

GET.Aweel; we'll just hae a measure fork

Russy. But there's nne measure in't

GIRLY. The menstre I meant is we'll go balves on the ticket^ Russr-An' hall o' that gang's tae the sodgers at your expense,

Gerry:

GERRY-Iwadna' care if it went to them, for the puír lada

deserve it.

HONGKONG ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY

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WAR BOND DRAWING

81st December, 1918.

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