The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1901-08-26
viii Belgium Become a Maritime
Power?

There was a time when the Flemish
seaboard cities were more important
than those of Holland from the viewpoint
Of maritime t%rafic. and when Bruges
was the principal enfrspot Of the Hanse-
alto League. Why should not Belgium
gain a share OF the worlds ocean com
merce equal, II not superior, TO that
acquired by Norway. which lacks her
in coal and iron and her sd-
mirable geographical position, and which
Is far inferior TO her in opulence and
population That il the question which
Belgians have for some time been asking
one another. and they are now deter
mined to compete for a part Of the ocean
carrying trade. Their plans contem-
plate. not only a signal Improvement
Of the commercial facilities Of Antwerp
and Ostend. but also the creation 81 a
new and spacious port for Brugcs. In
the hope Of ~rcviving the medieval
activity az hat interesting city.
As IL IL, Antwerp il a remarkable
example OF commercial resurrection.
From the date when the freedom Of the
orntlut WIS 'DtAihrNi Nv b'HNs lE'hhAni '
sacrifices. she began to advance. and
shortly after the Franoo-Prussian war
OF 1870 could boast that she had become
the first port on the Continent Of Europe.
and that she was excelled on her side
Of the Atlantic by London and Liverpool
alone. Antwerp labors. however, under
certain disabilities. Its river will he
found too shallow II steamers go Oh
increasing in size a they have increased
Of recent years. Moreover, the Scheldt
ia not entirely Belgian, and Holland.
through which its lower courses flow
IN ~scarcely likely to aid in nm improve
ment Of navigation which would tend
10 divert traffic from its W seaports.
II In further 10 be noted that the greater
part Of Antwcrp's export and import
trade IL conveyed under foreign flags
What Belgium desires il a mercantile
feet Of her own, which AZ present scarcely
exists. The value Of her native shipping
docs not exceed two rents per head 81
the population.
That the welfare and progress 81 the
country will he promoted by the COM
ple,ion Of the extensive harbor works
A, O~tend was the reason given in the
Belgian senate for excepting that town
from the operation ~ the Hill for the
suppression Of gambling Hitherto o.
tend has been able "a carry on the inn
movements Of it's docks with tho help
az the large profits derived from 10
gaming tables. The Relg,ar Chamber
Of Deputies has refused 20 ra'ifv th-
s~nate's amendment, but u viii an
doubt~dly agree Ia give such pecuniarv
compensation a. will enable Osirnd o.
make itself a port Of tho fni ola-s The
Belgian hops. however. ~ attaining q
plsce among maritime nations 10 nui
r~i entirely on Antwerp and u-tonu
They arr hAs~d largely on the hari.,r
which n nov IN cour-" ~ CONSTRUCTION
M q point on the Flemish css~t i-tv e.I
K~lsnkrnherghe and Hrv-t, where ths
North s-a nox tends ~ ~ncrnsch uu The
land. and tb~re !. ALREADY drep wHrrr
clc~~ inshor-
Tho nev pou ~ 81 ~u admit az S.
state 81 tho ude ~. Largest trsu-si
lantic lib~r. AhoaI and Dr. has tns HH.
vantage of nearly iaotue th' mHuth ".
IN. n.Ams~ and lytnr oiu~r to ih" ,sur-
~hich ss.am-rs sis-f ~hsn inund iu'
Amsterdam. hAmiYurs hrum"u sna
al.ss Tssr,. ~ nagti.m lurYr s,a'
thrrs ~ iour y-~rs musi oiaI'-f i"f'