Arizona republican., 1916-12-14
TRepubIican A. p. Leased wlrel
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 BERLIN, Dec. lS-(By wireless to ayville)-Germany's reply to the in- quiries of the United States into the matter of Belgian unemployed and the deportation of Belgians is published to- day in the Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zetung, and is given out by the Over seas News agency as follows
 The government of the United States of America has protested against the transportation of Belgian workingmen to Germany and against their compul- sory employment for work, basing this on the view that these measures are in contravention of humane principles and of international practice as to the treatment of the population in Occu- pied territory The German govern ment thinks that the government of the United States has been incorrectly informed regarding the cause and the execution of the measures, and there fore considers it appropriate first to explain the facts in detail
 Tn Belgium unemployment for a considerable time has been extending in perplexing fashion among the in- dustrlal workingmen. This prevalence of unemployment has been caused by the English policy of isolation which has cut off Belgian industry from the importation of raw material and the eXportation of manufactured goods and has thus brought the greater part of Belgian industry to a standstill
 By this measure almost half of the workngmen in Belgian factories, num- bering altogether in round figures 100000, were deprived of the possibility Of earning a living, and many more than half million Belgians, who form erly supported themselves by industrial work, were made dependent upon public relief Adding the members of their families, this number Is increased three fold or in round figures, one million and half persons.
 From the standpoint of Belgian eco homie right. upon which these unem- ployed inflict heavy burden. as also rom the standpoint of public order and public morals which are most dangerously affected by general un- employment and the accompanying consequences. this situation makes it extremely desirable and urgent that efflcient measures for improvement be Iaken.
 This necessity has been. recognized and pointed out also fair minded Belgians for a long time.
 Belgian industries being in a de- pressed condition, it was impossible to procure for all the unemployed work.
 
 m Belgium itself. The only thing possi- ple, therefore, was to assign them to work in Germany, where a large num- ber of Belgian workingmen had already voluntarily accepted work, were well fed, were receiving high wages and were enjoying far reaching liberty of movement. For those working men. however. that did not support their families, coercive labor was used
 These measures ere completely in accord with international law for ac- cordirg to the Hague convention re- iating to war on land lpara graph 43). the occupying power is obliged to uu- dertake the maintenance of public order and public life m occupied districts and for this purpose. as far as the countfys laws prove insufficient to act by complemental orders. The main tenance of public order. without m 70 plies that able bodied persons as far as possible are not to be thrown upon public charity. and by idleness become a public calamity and nuisance: but that they must be held to work
 The order has been carried out with all possible consideration and without harshness. If isolated mistaker have happened in the selection of persons sent to Germany. and. if especially, the