Rev. J. F. Matthews,
Glossop Road Baptist Church,
Sheffield.
Dear Sir,
A correspondent informs us that on Sunday morning you stated in the course of a sermon delivered in Wash Lane Church, Latchford, Warrington, that there is a Belgian girl in Sheffield with her nose cut off and her stomach ripped open by the Germans, and that she is still living and getting better.
I am anxious to investigate stories of German atrocities, and should be grateful if you could send particulars to me by which your statements could be authenticated.
A. Fenner Brockway.
March 5, 1915.
Mr. A. Fenner Brockway.
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your note. I have written to our Belgian Consul here for the name and address of the girl whose case I quoted at Latchford. If all I hear is true it is far worse than I stated. I am also asking for another similar instance, which I shall be glad to transmit to you if, and as soon as, I can secure the facts.
John Francis Matthews.
March 9, 1915.
Dear Mr. Brockway,
I enclose our Consul's letter, which I have just received. I am writing a letter to my old Church at Latchford, to be read on Sunday next, contradicting the story which I told, on what seemed to be unimpeachable authority. I am glad I did not give the whole of the alleged facts as they were given to me. With many thanks for your note and inquiry.
John Francis Matthews.
March 12, 1915.
Dear Mr. Matthews,
Replying to your letter of the 9th inst., enclosing a letter which you have received from the Labour Leader, although I have heard of a number of cases of Belgian girls being maltreated in one way and another. I have on investigation not found a particle of truth in one of them, and I know of no girl in Sheffield who has had her nose cut off and her stomach ripped open.
I have also investigated cases in other towns, but have not yet succeeded in getting hold of any tangible confirmation.
A. Balfay
March 11, 1915.
I have not the means of giving similar illustrations of false beliefs in Germany and Austria. But in case this book should be read by any German or Austrian, I would beg him not to infer any peculiar English credulity, but to realise that such false stories are an
