The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-08-25
INDEPENDENCE DAY IN
 WAR STRICKEN BELGIUM

This is Independence day in Bel gum. the small but brave and proud little nation which was the scene of the battle of Waterloo. and which has again become a theatre Of war. A century ago the congress of the powers at Vienna made Belgium part of the United Kingdom of Meth erIands. under the house of Orange. but this unnatural alliance of war ring peoples, differing in language, religion and material interests. could not long continue. On August 25, 1880. the revolution against Holland was commenced in Belgium. and was carried to successful issue, with the result that Belgium became q separate and independent nation with Leopold Prince of saxe-Coburg, as king Ever since then the tweny- fifth of August has been celebrated as tndependsnee day in Belgium
 rhe Belgian population, the dens- est in Europe, IS composed Of two T. fs t distinct racestlae walloons. of French extraction, and the Flemish Of German descent Despite this differ ence in ancestry, the Bele1ans have been a unit in rallying to the defense lof their nationality and independ- Hence.
 The revolution against the Dutch in l1sS0 had many causes, chief of which I was the attempt of the Dutch govern Ement to suppress the French language I in courts and schools. and to make Dutch the universal tongue. The eIectora1 system, which gave the pre- ponderance to the northern or Dutch provinces. though the latter were in- ferior in population, was another source of dissatisfaction The inter- tests of the provinces were diametri- icalIy opposed, Belgium being an agri- cuItural and manufacturing country: while Holland was commercial The one wished to tax imports and ex- ports. the other property land indus tries. Tn the parliament three Ian guages were spoken. French. Dutch and German, and the members could not understand each other The revo- Hutton was the Inevitable result Of |these differences.
 Following the uprising of the people of Brussels op August 25. 1890. Ethe Dutch troops were at first sue cessful. but the revolution soon be- cane general and the Dutcannen were .driven out Of the country.
 Liege. which recently felt the first shock of the German advance, and
 the surrounding country. constitutes tthe ancient territory of the BeIgae,
 land during the revolution the yola1n- Iteers rom Lege. Mons and Tour
 ney were saluted by the FIernings as lBelgians. The name of Belgium.
 which property distinguished only 3
 section of the southern provinces. be-
 came henceforth recognized as the
 patriotic designation of the whole new
 nation.
 a The war between the Dutch and
 Belg1ans was stopped by 2 conven-
 ton of the powers in London. which
 drew up a treaty to regulate the SC
 paration of the provinces Tn the meantime the national congress oi Belgium offered the crown to ths Duke of Netnours. second son of Loui.
 Phillipe. who had but recently as , icended the throne of France. He de
 elined the crown. and it was the1 conferred. at the request of England
 upon the German prince. who becam, !, lLeopold I. Leopold II succeeded hi Z father in 1885. and was in turn sue ceeded. about five years age, by hi 7 nephew, King Albert I, During it
 short history Belgium has. played
 great role. for a country Of it's size
 and in the Kongo Free State it pos : sesses a. vast and important part Q g Africa~ The ancient Be1gians wer conquered by Julius Caesar in 51, F . e.. and after the downfall of Rom : the country then called Flanders g was successively ruled by France
 Burgundy, Austria and Spain. be n coming a part of the empire of Ger E many in 171s
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