never before been made in modern times by any state calling itself civilized.

The brutality and the duplicity with which the measure has been enforced have augmented (if such a thing be possible) this unprecedented scandal; they have wrung from Belgium, which seemed to have already reached the limit of the afflictions of a nation at war, a cry of anguish which has caused an echo of horror and indignation from the neutral states.

Although in 1863 the Instructions for the Armies in the Field, published for the use of the American troops, noted even then that deportation and reduction to servitude of the civil population of conquered states by the conqueror were no longer practiced, except among barbaric hordes, the spectacle has been seen, in Belgium, of the regular army of a powerful empire employed in carrying out methodic slave raids upon the citizens of a small, captive nation which had entered the war solely for the defense of its independence and for the fulfillment of its international duties.

VIII

Execution of the Order

The deportations have been carried out coolly by the occupant, according to a plan carefully thought out and in spite of the most formal promises and assurances of immunity lavished upon the population, a short time previously, by the highest representatives of the Imperial Government, notably, by the military governor of Antwerp and by the Governor General, Field Marshal von der Goltz. Belgian families have been torn apart without pity. Men of all ages (from 17 to 55 years and over), of every condition (assisted by charity or in easy circumstances, unemployed or employed, numbers of them even torn away from their work), have been carried off in herds, transported, under the most inhuman circumstances, to places which they are forbidden to make known to their families, and forcibly compelled to take part in work of direct or indirect military utility.

Before their departure they are formally called upon to choose between a so-called "voluntary" engagement for work in Germany with seemingly high wages, and, on the other hand, deportation, with a wage which is a mockery (30 pfennigs a day). Whether they sign the contract or not, it means forced separation from their families. The immense majority refuse to sign, and even refuse to work. They

are then subjected to horrible treatment, regulated cleverly and applied with the refinement of calculated cruelty which, it had been thought, was the attribute only of savage peoples or of those who had returned to savagery. Torture by hunger, by thirst, by cold, by standing rigidly, by whippings; threats of imprisonment and of death; blows with the rifle butt, etc.; every means were employed to overcome the resistance of these obscure heroes of patriotic duty.

Great Suffering Inflicted

Reports that would make any civilized man tremble with indignation have come into the possession of the Belgian Government showing the unspeakable suffering inflicted on thousands of innocent people in the camps where the German Government has caused them to be huddled together, in order that this herd of pitiable human cattle may be sorted out and enslaved for the ends of despotism.

The suffering is perhaps still worse among those unfortunates who are sent to points behind the German lines in Flanders and in France.

Compelled, in spite of themselves, to undertake heavy toil and to work outdoors during the severest season of the year, without having been trained or hardened, exposed to artillery fire, deprived of proper clothing, and scarcely nourished, a multitude of these unfortunates soon fall from exhaustion and from illness. The mortality on the spot seems to be considerable. The sick and dying who can still be transported are sent home with less regard than slaves received in antiquity from their masters, who were interested in the care of human chattels who formed a part of their riches. Through the pitiable convoys of these repatriated Belgians there has been revealed the life which their compatriots lead who remain behind at work. There is only one word that can describe it: "It is a hell."

IX

Consequences of the Outrage

All the protests raised against this standing outrage against the dignity of civilized man, these attacks upon his corporeal integrity, upon his liberty to dispose of his person and of his work, upon his right to remain united to his family, upon his duty to abstain from serving the enemy of his country - all such protests have so far been in vain.

These outrages and attacks continue, without care for the seeds of hate that are sown in the hearts of the victims and of those near and dear to them and which threaten to render all social intercourse impossible, perhaps for centuries, between two important portions of the peoples of Europe.

The spectacle of such odious injustice creates, day by day, more clearly in the souls of all who witness it the impression of an exceptionally heinous crime which is inexpiable, although now carried on with momentary impunity.

As to those who are the victims, their resolution, rising above the cruelty and suffering which is their lot, remains steadfast and unshakable. No peace is possible nor durable without the observance of the elementary rules of right, one of the first of which is respect for the human person.

No abuse of force can exhaust the resistance of the Belgian people to foreign oppression. All history witnesses that the aspiration of the Belgian people for independence is indomitable and that their endurance will win the mastery over tyranny.

DOCUMENTS REGARDING THE CHENGCHIA TUN AFFAIR BETWEEN CHINA AND JAPAN 1

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED BY THE CHINESE FOREIGN OFFICE

In August 1916, a dispute between a Japanese merchant named Yoshimoto and a Chinese soldier of the 28th Division stationed at Chengchia Tun led to a fracas between Japanese and Chinese soldiers. The Japanese soldiers had been in Chengchia Tun for over two years. They had no justification for being there. The Chinese Government had repeatedly protested against their presence.

A Japanese policeman who was informed of the dispute induced a Japanese lieutenant to lead some Japanese soldiers to the Chinese barracks to demand satisfaction. A fracas ensued in which four Chinese and twelve Japanese soldiers were killed and others wounded. The Japanese troops were reinforced and new detachments were stationed at posts on the highway between Chengchia Tun and Ssupinkai. On September 2d, the Japanese Minister submitted to the Foreign 1 English text of communiqué and authorized translations of notes reprinted from the Peking Gazette, Jan. 29, 1917.

Office a series of eight demands divided into two categories. Four were demands properly so called and four desiderata.

The Demands were:

The Demands

1. Punishment of the general commanding the 28th Division. 2. The dismissal of the officers at Chengchia Tun responsible for the occurrence, as well as the severe punishment of those who took direct part in the fracas.

3. Proclamation to be posted ordering all Chinese soldiers and civilians in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia to refrain from any act calculated to provoke a breach of the peace with Japanese soldiers or civilians.

4. China to agree to the stationing of Japanese police officers in places in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia where their presence was considered necessary for the protection of Japanese subjects. China also to agree to the engagement by the officials of South Manchuria of Japanese police advisers.

The Desiderata were:

The Desiderata

1. Chinese troops stationed in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia to employ a certain number of Japanese military officers as advisers.

2. Chinese military cadet schools to employ a certain number of Japanese military officers as instructors.

3. The Military Governor of Mukden to proceed personally to Port Arthur to the Japanese Military Governor of Kwantung to apologize for the occurrence and to tender similar personal apologies to the Japanese Consul General in Mukden.

4. Adequate compensation to be paid by China to the Japanese sufferers and to the families of those killed.

In deference to the expressed desire of the Japanese Government, the Chinese Government did not discuss the rights and wrongs of the case itself, but proceeded direct to the discussion of the foregoing demands and desiderata, the Chinese Government throughout the negotions being animated by a sincere desire to meet all Japanese proposals in a spirit of friendly compromise.

From September 9th to November 24th frequent conferences were

held, and the five demands embodied in the exchange of notes later referred to were verbally agreed upon. While disposed, however, to make every concession consistent with the preservation of China's sovereignty, the Chinese Government could not consent to the stationing of Japanese police officers in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia and to the employment of Japanese military advisers and instructors.

On October 18th the Japanese Minister submitted a memorandum setting forth the duties of Japanese police officers and seeking to prove that these duties would not conflict with the duties of Chinese police in the same areas.

Dr. Wu Ting-fang, after having assumed charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, continued the negotiations on December 19th. Several conferences were held, the Japanese Minister pressing for acceptance of the demands for the employment of Japanese police officers and military instructors and advisers, the Foreign Minister contending that such demands were neither just nor reasonable.

On January 5th the Japanese Minister handed the Chinese Government three notes verbales.

The first had regard to the engagement of military instructors in Chinese cadet schools, and explained that this desire on the part of Japan was inspired by the wish to assist in the development of a friendly spirit on the part of the Chinese military in Manchuria and in Eastern Inner Mongolia so that future recurrence of similar misunderstandings might be avoided. Japan expressed the hope that Japanese military instructors in the cadet schools would be appointed. Inasmuch, however, as the question was one which concerned Chinese military affairs. it ought to be left to the discretion of the Chinese Government, and the Japanese Government would not insist upon it.

The second had regard to the employment of military advisers in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia, and affirmed that this proposal on the part of Japan was inspired by the hope of bringing about a friendly interchange of views between the military of the two countries so as to prevent misunderstandings. Japan expressed the hope that Japanese military advisers in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia would be appointed. Inasmuch, however, as this was a question concerning the military administration it must be left to the discretion of the Chinese Government, and the Japanese Government would not insist upon it.