Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-01-03
BY Carl w. Ackerman.
!ited Press staff COrrespondent.l J


Berlin, Jan. 3.-As tne new year OPP
ems the German campaign spreads toI
more foreign lands: To Turkey and
Egypt. Many enormous battles and
campaigns in 1915 have decided the
war in certain war theatres
In the 1915 nnssian campaign the
Russian army was pushed into Russia.
Serbia has been cntircl submerged,
Belgium is occupied. Eight of France IS
richest provinces, with nearly three
million people, are under German con
troll.
Germany has lost most of her col
onies and her overseas commerce. But
between the Central Powers and the
Allies there has been no desisivo bat.
tie, no deciding campaign.
Both sides await with equal conf
denee and determination this con-
test. Whether it will be fought or
avoided, no one knows Events will de.
eide. The fate OF Belgium depends up
on the outcome. If the war is a draw,
Belgium 8 future will depend upon the
peace terms.
Peace today depends upon the solu-
tion of the Belgian question. Until
England and Germany come to an un-
derstanding on Belgium's future the
war will continue These statements
nave been made so often that the
United Press asked the censor to pass
this article to tell the outside world
what everyone here talks about
Belgium's S Fate the Question.
During the last few weeks two
things became evident. England de-
clared that she will not make peace I'M
til Belgium is evacuated. Germany is
determined that Belgium will not be
given up until Germany is assured
that it will not be political or mill
tary ally OF Great Britain S.
For several weeks, have asked nigh
officials what Germany is going to do
with Belgium. The answer has been
| that not even the kaiser knows. This
undoubtedly is true. Much seems to
depend upon the future progress of the
war.
In Germany there are two parties
with regard to Belgium. One wishes
to keep belgium. The other wants to
give it up. The line is not distinctly
drawn. Many think Germany should
keep Antwerp and the forts of Namur
and Liege, or that Germany should
have the right to garrison those fort
resses. Others believe Germany should
keep Antwerp as an outlet to the chan
mel for Germany. Others wish Ger.
many to keep all of Belgium, but this
is considered a minority.
There is general feeling that Bel.
gum should never be permitted to re-
turn TO the position she held before
the war 1t is felt that Belgium was
not neutral because Of the documents
found in Brussels showing informal
discussions of conventions between
Belgium and England about landing
British troops in Belgium in ease of u
violation Of its neutrality by Germany
which Germany considers, in effect,
treaties The universal opinion seems
to be that Germany will not give ur
Belgium while there is a probability OF
a renewal of these conventions. Tnc
fear exists that England may in the
future use Belgium TO defeat Ger
manv.
Germany Wants Belgium.
Germany considers that she holds
within her hands the terms of peace
and that she has won the war. So far
as the war and 1915 is concerned. II
is asserted, however, tnat through Eng.
lish control of news channels, what are
considered victories here reach the
world as defeats. Or, If not as defeats,
as indications that Germany is weak
ening. This breeds concern in Ger.
many that when il comes peace max.
ing time the allies will cause any peace
terms TO he interpreted as German de.
fcats, especially If Germany shows a
willingness TO cvacuato Belgium. II is
said here that the allies will declare
that Germany is defeated or she would
never give up Belgium. Many Ger.
mans want TO keep Belgium because
they think 1t will be the best evidence
that Germany has won the war.
Many things are interpreted as ovi'
denee that Germany intends or doe,
not intend TO keep Belgium, Ono /;
that Germany never would have spent
the millions Of marks for bridges, new
railroads, public buildings and othcl
improvements, il she WASH going IL