File No. 763.72/722
The Minister in Belgium (Whitlock) to the Secretary of State
Brussels, August 20, 1914, 8 p.m.
[Received September 2, 12:30 a.m.]
[Telegram]
Twenty thousand Germans under command of General Von Jarotzky occupied Brussels this afternoon. Headquarters established in the Hôtel de Ville. Civil authorities carry on administration under the supervision of military authorities. Except for a small force to guard Grand Place, Hôtel de Ville, and railway stations, all the troops are encamped outside the city. I omitted to state in my telegram of yesterday evening that the Spanish Minister and I represented to the military governor that the resistance which he expected to offer would entail the loss of innocent human life and the destruction of artistic treasure which are of the greatest value to civilization. In view of these and other considerations he abandoned his plan and at a late hour last night disbanded the Garde Civique. The occupation of the city was effected quietly and perfect order prevails.