The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-02 00:00:00

MILITARY DEFENCE OF BELGIUM.

In the Belgian Chamber of Representatives on
Wednesday, the discussion on the Antwerp Fort fi-
cations Bill was continued :

M. de Boe (Left) reproached the Government
with bringing forward an insufficient measure.
The extension of the fortified enclosure on the north
sir'e only was not in his opinion enough, and besides
that side was already defended by the facility with
which it might be flooded. He blamed the Govern-
ment for not coming to an understanding with the
city of Antwerp for a pecuniary co-operation in
order to carry out the plan of a fortified enelostits
on a large scale.

M. Vand.erdonck (Right) said he should Tot*
against the bill. In his opinion the only object its
view in converting Antwerp into a place of refugg
was, in case of war, to save the rich and tbel
functionaries, and to make use of the army fat
their exclusive defence. All the rest of the country
would be left at the mercy of the enemy, properties
would be pillaged, men would be massacred, and
the women—(The honourable gentleman here
stopped for a moment amidst a general buret of
laughter). The bill he afterwards said was nu'
popular. Should the country be attacked, the
people en masse would defend it as they did in
1830 ; but to burthen the finances of the State to
order to save the great and sacrifice the people
was what he would never permit. (Laughter.)
M. Ropier, Minister of the -In'orior, gave an
account of the various phases through which the
question of the fortifications of Antwerp has passed'
He then went on to explain that if the Govere-
meut bad not comprised in this plan the work!,
of the more extensive line of fortifications, ?
was because the value of them had been €115"
puted in committees, and by competent men ;
and that to have proposed them would hal
caused discussions which would have delayed
the solution of the question, which was so ne"
cessary. The Minister then proceeded to 810
that the status quo, as recommended by sale
,
persons, could not be maintained, inasmuch ad
private buildings had been constructed 011,81
large a scale near the existing wall til3
the fortifications had become weakened, and
it was necessary to reinforce it by a line of forts.
That had already been done in part, and the bill
provided for completing these constructions. I! :
then glanced at the private interests at stake in tP.
question, and declared that neither the inhabit
of the town nor of the faubourgs were in favour °
the more extensive line of fortifications. The house;
owners within the city were by no means anx;0111
to have the incorporation of an extensive tract of
land which would came their rents to decil
while the inhabitants of the faubourgs were 13,.°0
desirous of sharing the extra taxation paid by t.
city. He stated as a proof of this fact that a Vi.PI
tion had been presented by one faubourg, eigll,B
by three hundred inhabitants, protestl
against incorporation. The honourable gentlo'l
then declared that if the population of Antwer?
was decidedly hostile to the project of the Ministry'
he would speak to the electors of that city
had sent him to the Chamber in these terms
" I cannot on any terms consent to relincluth.
ideas which are connected with the safety of t",
country. lam the representative of Antwery,
but I am also the old representative of the -13ei.
giau nationality, and it is the latter which it
now sought to place beyond the reach of daego,d
from abroad." (These words, which were Pb,.
flounced with much energy, were followed
applause.)
13
M. Veroort (Left) delivered a long BPeaor
amidst the inattention of the members. Ile p 6
elated himself in favour of the more exteo'
line of fortifications.
The discus,ion was again adjourned.