"We as representatives of German Science and Art raise before the whole Civilized World a protest against the falsehoods and calumnies with which our enemies are endeavoring to blacken Germany's just cause in the desperate struggle for existence which has been forced upon the nation. […]

It is not true that we wantonly violated the neutrality of Belgium […]

It is not true that our troops treated Louvan brutally […]

It is not true that the life or property of even a single Belgian citizen has been attacked by our soldiers, except where such an attack was dictated by the bitter necessity of self-defence.

[…]

For this we pledge you our names and our honor!"