The Note concludes 'with a series of paragraphs devoted to
Belgium It show& • how, in spite of the fact that she possessed a special status rendering her territory inviolable and placing her under the guarantee of the Powers and outside all European eon- filets, Belgium was the first Power to suffer from •German aggres- sion. In view of this fact the Belgian Government think it necessary to •define the aims which Belgium has never ceased- to pursue
Belgium has always scrupulously fulfilled the duties which her neutrality imposed upon her. She has taken up arms to defend her independence- and her neutrality violated by Germany, and to show that she remains faithful to her international obligations. On August 4th, 1914, in the Reichstag, the German Chancellor admitted that this aggression constituted an injustice contrary to the laws of nations and pledged himself in the name of Germany -to repair it. During two and a half years this injustice has been cruelly aggravated by the proceedings of the occupying forces, which have exhausted the resources of the country, ruined its industries, devastated its towns and villages, and have been responsible for innumerable massacres, executions, and imprisonments. At this very moment, while Germany is proclaiming peace and humanity to the world, she is deporting Belgian citizens by thousands and reducing them to slavery."
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