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 Autwerp Fortifi-
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
side only was not in his opinion enough, and beAides
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 enclosure
on a large scale.
M. Vanderdonck (Right) said he should vote
against the bill. In his opinion the only object in
view in converting Antwerp into a place of refuge
was, in case of war, to save the rich and the
' functionaries, and to make use of the army for
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 burst of
laughter). The bill he afterwards said was un-
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 in
order to save the great and sacrifice the people
was what be would never permit. (Laughter.)
M. Rogier, Minister of the In'erior, 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 Govern-
ment bad not comprised in this plan the works
of the more extensive line of fortifications, it
was because the value of them had been dis-
puted in committees, and by competent men ;
and that to have proposed them would have
caused discussions which would have delayed
the solution of the question, which was so ne-
cessary. The Minister then proceeded to show
that the status quo, as recommended by riome
persons, could not be maintained, inasmuch as
private buildings had been constructed on so
large a scale near the existing wall that
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.. He
then glanced at the private interests at stake in the
question, and declared that neither the inhabitants
of the town nor of the faubourgs were in favour of
the more extensive line of fortifications. The house-
owners within the city were by no means anxious
to have the incorporation of an extensive tract of
land which would cause their rents to decline,
while the inhabitants of the faubourgs were not
desirous of sharing the extra taxation paid by the
city. He stated as a proof of this fact that a peti-
tion had been presented by one faubourg, signed
by three hundred inhabitants, protesting
against incorporation. The honourable gentleman
then declared that if the population of Antwerp
was decidedly hostile to the project of the Ministry,
he would speak to the electors of that city who
had sent him to the Chamber in these terms :--
" I cannot on any terms consent to relinquish
ideas which are connected with the safety of the
country. lam the representative of Antwerp ;
but I am also the old representative of the Bel-
gian nationality, and it is the latter which it is
now sought to place beyond the reach of danger
from abroad." (These words, which were pro-
nounced with much energy, wcie followed by
applause.)
M. Veroort (Left) delivered a long speech
amidst the inattention of the members. He de-
clared himself in favour of the more extensive
line of fortificat ons.
The discussion was again adjourned.

Country Markets.

YORK-JULY 31.

Thera was a good show of wheat to-day. Farmer' ,
asked high prices, but to effect sales the extreme prices of
last week wera only obtained. Fine white made 48s, and
red 46s per qr. Very little doing in barley, prices varyis4
from 34s to 37's per qr. Oats were in small supply, and .
the turn dearer. Beans a scanty supply, and the extrera,
rates of last week supported-44s to 45s per qr.