, in case of war between Germany and
France."

[The text of the documents presented above is not disputed
by the Belgian Government. Instead it is made the basis of
the Belgian reply, beginning on the next page.]

* * * * *

THE BELGIAN BATTLEGROUND

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.]

"INNOCENCE OF BELGIUM"

"Reply to Publication of Military Documents by Germany"

The German Government has at last decided to publish the documents
which it says were found in Brussels, and which it claims prove that
Belgium violated her neutrality.

As a matter of fact these documents are the clearest proof of the
innocence of Belgium.

Document No. 1 refers to a conversation between Major Gen. Ducarme and
the English Military Attache, Lieut. Col. Barnardiston.

The English Military Attache _went to call_ on the Belgian General and
told him of the anxiety on the part of the English General Staff in
regard to the general political situation and the possibility of war.
"_In case Belgium sh