e atrocities which have
bitterly aggravated the remorseless violation of Belgian neutrality have
only aroused general indignation, and have at the same time exasperated
the opposing nations and armies. Contrary to the tales which appear in
the sensational journals, which are naturally as eager today to embitter
the war as they were formerly to bring it about, I am assured that the
German armies in France are repudiating the unworthy excesses of the
beginning of the campaign and are respecting life and private property.
This will alleviate the horrors of the war, but France nevertheless will
place no limit on the sacrifices which she will make. She will wear out
the German Army and destroy it, day after day, in continuous battles.
* * *

The Belgians with us at Clermont-Creans, instead of being a burden, as I
had feared, are making themselves useful. They are very welcome. They
are gradually recognized and appreciated as estimable people, and are
employed in the homes and farms and fields. We should like to have more
of them. How we shall regret them when they leave! * * *

The German Emperor must stand either as a pacifist or as a conqueror. He
cannot pass as both. All the results which may follow this war could
well have been obtained in peace by a general effort of good-will. On
the other hand, the legacy of the war will be endless rancor, hatred,
reprisal, and savagery. When it shall be understood that, in spite of
Governments and Parliaments, the war has been, in large part, excited by
the manoeuvres of an international band of the dealers in military
supplies and by their all-powerful newspapers, when it shall be
thoroughly comprehended that these dealers and these newspapers have
played with rumors of war as with a scarecrow, for the purpose of
keeping up a general condition of disquiet favorable to their sinister
operations, then, too late, alas! there will be a revulsion of public
opinion to sustain finally those men, like our friends, who have urged
arbitration rather than war, and conciliation rather than arbitration.

* * * More than ever our motto, "Pro patria per orbis concordiam," will
be that of every good patriot who wishes to develop the internal
prosperity of his country through friendly foreign relations. * * * More
than a century ago you Americans condemned and executed British
imperialism; subsequently Europe condemned and executed Napoleonic
imperialism; Europe is now going to condemn and execute