The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1916-11-22
]. s. ACTS IN
BELGIAN CASE
Charge At Berlin to Take
up Matter.
OF DECORATIONS WHICH ARE
Held TO Be In Violation of All
The Assurances From
Hollweg.
EFFECT on THE OPINION HERE

ErFECT on THE OPINION HEv,E
Washington. Nov. 16.-Deporta-
ton of Belgian civilians into Ger
many for forced labor has reached
such serious proportions that Amer
ioan Charge Grew at Berlin has bee,
instructed by the State Department
10 take the matter up personally
with Chancellor Won Bethmaan-Holl-
wegg. The charge was requested to
say that such deportations could not
but have q most unfortunate effect
on neutral opinion. particularly in
the United Stases, which has tn,
welfare Of the Belgian civilian pop
ulation very much at heart.
The instructions, it was learned
to-day. grew out of a long report
from Charge Grew in which he stat
ed that he had discussed the situa-
tion informally and unoficially with
Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs
zimmerman. The latter admitted
that definite policy had been
adopted to enforce the labor of Bel
gians in cases where they would not
work voluntarily, on the ground
that so many refused to work as to
make the strain on public charity
intolerable.
The deportatiors are viewed here
not only as a violation of interna-
tional law, but in a degree as a vio-
lation of Germany's assurances TO
Ambassador Gerard last June which.
though relating to the 10000
French women and girls dep0rted
from Lille, Roubaix and Tourcoing,
are felt to be applicable to- the Bel
gian situation. At that time, when
Ambassador Gerard had gone to
general headquarters in France to
discuss the attack, on the Sussex
with EMPEROR William all the Amer
lean relief workers in Northern
France We're called into conference
and assurance given by the Germans
that no further deportatious would
be made. The case of the Belgians
is considered identical in principle.
Reports from Rome that the Unit
ed States has Joined or will join the
Vatican, Spain or the Netherlands in
a joint protest are declared untrue.
In this question as in the many 9th
ers that have arisen during the war
the United States will act independ-
emily.
The deportations are regarded by
some officials here as an. attempt to
release German workers for the fir
ing line by replacing them with Bel
CLANS. More than any ether ono
thing this is expected to increase the
bitterness of the Allies toward Ger
many and their desire for peace
through a crushing victory. For
eign Minister Beyens and Cardinal
MERCER. OF Belgium. have issued
public appeals to the neutral nations
to effect a cessation of the deporta-
tions. England also Is dcevly con-
cerned.
Reports as to the execution OF the
deportations vary in detail. but not
In principle. Those who go to Ger
many Voluntarily are made to sign
general free-will contract under
which they are assured good food, a
salary. guarantee of care for their
families and freedom of correspond
ence with them. Those refusing TO
sign are said to be coerced WHERE
possible through Imprisonment. If
this is unsuccessful in securing sig
nature the labor Is compulsory at 80
pfennigs a day without provision of
or permission to correspond.
systematic form when on October 10
the German Governor General was
reported to have requested the pres
idents of the Comites Rationale de
Secours. under penalty of imprison-
ment, to furnish lists of all Belgians
receiving aid Many of the presi-
dents refused and were at once put
In Jail. On the basis of the lists
that were obtained. however. drafts
We begun at once. No accurate in
has been received either
as to how many have been deported
or where. The work to which they
have been sent Is designated as Gin
dustrial."