The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-05
Engagements Promptly Met


 These facts show that for the past nine months Belgium has most scrupulously met the engagements made in her name at the time of the convention relating to war contributions. This convention is, however, of an entirely reciprocal char acter. Moreover, if Belgium has fulfilled her obligations the German administra- ton is very much behind with theirs which. is shown clearly by the facts gathered by the Antwerp Chamber of Commerce and from the German oommer- ciaI world of Antwerp facts which it is my duty to lay before you gentlemen in all sincerity and with due deference and loyalty.
 I had the honor to send you on March 19 last duplicate report which ad- dressed to the intercommrnal commits sion on the subjects of acquisitions en masse which had been imposed on the trade of Antwerp These acquisitions reached an enormous figure, embracing the total amount of stocks in our ware houses and stores accumulated there at the time of the occupation of our town by German troops. The requisitioned goods were for the most part removed from the town during the months of November and December by virtue of might, which is greater than right, with the minimum ol lOIlildllN, NilHUul any regard lO the rights of the owners or holders, without any previous agreement as to the price of the sale. The actual figures of the requi- sitions, of which l have been able to get details only regarding raw merchandise this then representing the major part of our imports have reached and passed S5,000,000 francs. Five months more have passed since 1 described the situation in my report of March. without the smallest
 
 received since then do not represent a tenth part of the sums still owing. May I also persuade myself to call these so- called payments advances representing some 30 to 50 per cent of bills, advances by credits in marks payable at the Reichsbank, recoverable three months after the conclusion of peace and the payment of which on maturity involves the parties in the risks of exchange to an extent which can be appreciated by all
 Goods Unpaid For
 Tn short. on q basis within the limits of my report Of March, giving an approx innate round value to goods removed from shipping and transport houses (which | was not able to do before) I can assert that from 60o00.0o0 to 70,O00OO0 francs for acquisitions remain to be paid-requisi- : tions which include nothing but merchan- disc coming from the various principal sources of commerce of Antwerp
 TT excluded from my calculations every thing relating to the industrial world factory buildings and yards. have no facts or authority in this quarter which is not within the domain of the chamber of commerce, but it Is general knowledge that here. too. the acquisitions have been considerable and should represent in sum total a great number of millions I shall allow myself to call them to your atten- ton because the interests involved there- in have as much right to be included. which it is beyond all justice beyond humanity. to delay any longer"
 German Acquisitions
 M. Castelein then reviews series Of formal engagements by which the Ger mans and Belgians regulated the mat ter of acquisitions, stating that at first the Germans made many acquisitions in summary manner. Then in December the war levy was fixed at 35,010000 francs monthly for l2 months. The Belgians ac- cepted this figure and after, 1t is de clared securing q formal promise of prompt settlement of acquisitions, tho sum was raised to a00oo.00o, with prompt settlement stipulated On January 9 1915. Governor General Won Bissng confirmed this agreement. the report states and the promise was made that Belgian busi- ness men would be appointed to solve the problem of payment for irregular acquisitions.
 M. Castelein continues.
 "Of all this. gentlemen. nothing has materialized. No commission was ap- pointed at Antwerp and with few excep- tons the acquisitions were not paid for.''
 NJ Castelcin states that in April, through promises made by Senator Strand president of the German civil administration. it looked as If n solution We're near but when the settlement dra ggsd the senator informed him that the scheme was being recast in Berlin, and that this would take three weeks commission was finally -organized in Berlin apparently. according to M. Cas- telein. to tnke the place of the promised Antwerp body. This commission prenared questions described as of an inqustorial