New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-22

lSpeclal correspondence 70 Tho flnuuc.
Brussels, Nov. 4-Of all the war
capitals of Europea Brussels under the
German occupation is probably the
gayest and the most deceptive. 1t GER
tainly outrivals Berlin in life and
brilliancy, as Berlin outshines London.
The Germans are free spenders afeld;
their influx here by thousands has put
large sums of money into circulation,
resulting in a spell of artificial, per-
haps superficial, prosperity.
The crowds, surging all day up and
down the principal shopping street, the
Rue Neuye, overflow the sidewalks and
fiji the street. Well dressed crowds
promenade along the circular bOule-
ward all afternoon and into the night.
Places of amusement and the estes
are crowded. The hundreds of auto
mobiles loaded with officers speeding
about the streets, with musical mill
tary horns blowing, add to the gay
illusion. Nowhere save at the great
headquarters in France, where the
Kaiser stays when not haranguing his
troops at the front. will you see such
a brilliant galaxy of high officers and
every day seems holiday in Brus-
sells.
You catch the sinister undercurrent
in the more obscure little cafes. Here
you will find some Belgian patriot who
is glad of the chance TO unbosom him
self to a safe American.
Would Shoot Women.
Perhaps he will speak with imprint
able bitterness of the shame of the
Brussels women, who. he says, wave
handkerchiefs and smile friendly greet
ings at the singing troop trains passing
through the suburbs on their way TO
the front, or give flowers and cigars TO
the returning streams of wounded.
They ought to be shot as traitOresses,
he says. For the honor of the Belgian
women, he adds, these form only a
small percentage.
You are not surprised when well in
formed neutral residents tell you that
these people have murder in their
hearts, and that if the Germans ever
retreat in a rout through Belgium,
heaven help the straggler and the rear
guard
Now that copies of English papers,
whose reading is forbidden. are never
theess smuggled ia copies of THE
London Times" fetch as high as 200
francs, and reading circles are often
formed at 20 francs a head.
There are no hopeful signs here OF a
German retreat. Brussels has not been
practically evacuated" On the con-
trary. one gets overwhelmingly the i'm
preston that the Germans expect to
stay forever. No cannon are posted on
commanding avenues or squares. There
are no serious measures for the de
fence of the capital. The military and
civil governments occupy the principal
public buildings and seem TO be work
ing with typical German thoroughness.
The government Offices begin TO as
sumo an air OF permanence.
Invaders Use Tact.
As conquerors go, the invaders seem
- be bearing themselves well. There
is apparently no desire 10 rub it in
the military government seemingly
pursuing the wise policy of trying to
spare the feelings of the natives as
much as possible, perhaps in the i'm
possible hope of ultimately conciliat-
ing them. German flags are flown
sparingly. Only small squads OF the
Landsturm are now occasionally seen
marching through the streets. Even
from the btterest Belgians one hears
no stories of insult, shame or wrong
At the same time, swift, harsh pun
ishment is meted out 20 any one whose
actions are thought 10 tend 70 impair
German military authority or dignity.
Thus placards posted on many street
corners DAY before yesterday informed
the people that a Belgian city police
man had been sentenced TO five years
IMPRISONMENT for interfering with a
German official in the discharge Of his
duty. assaultlng a soldier and attempt
ing TO free a prisoner" For this also
j fine of 100000 francs tSiOO,0O0)
was imposed on the City of Brussels.
Another policeman was sentenced TO
three years imprisonment for alleged
similar offences. An interesting mis-
tory Of the German occupation can be
reconstructed from these same placards
pasted on buildings. Here is one, dat
ing from the early days, forbidding
bicycle riding in the country and an
nouncing that civilian cyclists will be
shot at signt.
II YOU look long enough you can also
ind a mutilated specimen of ex-Burgo-
master Max's famous Dement," in
which he virtually calls the German
military governor of Liege and, by i'm
plication. the German government
liar" The Bruxellois must be tickle
and quick 10 forget, for / did not hear
the picturesque VI. Maxs name men
toned once.
Palace Park Closed.
The realities of the military occups-