New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-19
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: From time to time the leading
newspapers in Germany publish editorial
articles, inspired II not dictated b. the
German Foreign Office, informing the
credulous German public and the incredu-
lous foreign public that one or another
Of Germans adversaries would not be ad-
verse to considering peace propositions.
The latest development along these lines
Is the startling announcement that Belgium
is ready to separate her fate from that of the
Allies and is DESTROYS OF concluding peace
with her conquerors. The alleged reason
given By the reptilian press rests on the
theory that Belgium is convinced that she
can get better conditions now than later.
These rumors, widely circulated and liber-
ally cabled over all the world, are calcu-
lated to affect public opinion and cause dis
couragement and Generalization in the
ranks of the fighters on the side of the
Entente Powers, and further to convince
the German nation that her sacrifices so
far have not been in vain.
Not having succeeded in sowing discord
among the Allies, the resourceful govern
ment at Berlin has conceived most dia-
bolcal scheme to bring Belgium to rea-
son. This plan, intrusted to Won Bssing
consists simply in reyiving among the Bel
gian people the old fight between the
Germanic and Latin races. In other words
TO lay the foundation for a possible civil
war between the Flemish and Walloon
elements who compose the population Of
Belgium.
For those not familiar with political
conditions in Belgium before the war, and
for the comprehension Of what follows
1t is necessary to state that the French
and Flemish Dutch languages are both
officially recognized. In other words, every
official document is printed in both Lam
guages, discussions in the Chamber Of Rep
resentatiyes and In the Senate may be held
either in French or in Flemish; every Off
cial from a member Of the Cabinet down to
Q policeman must, by law, know both lam
guages. The rivalry between these two
elements has always been very active and
at times very acute, the Flemish party be-
ing the more aggressive. To be absolutely
impartial TO the Flemish people, whose
sentiments before the war were Germano-
phie, let It be known that as soon as the
Germans violated the neutrality Of the
kingdom the Belgians buried the hatche,.
Flemish and Walloons united as Belgians
to resist the infamous and undeserved
German invasion.
There are in every party a few extrem-
lists whom nothing can satisfy; the Flemish
party is no exception 20 the rule. That is
what the German administration Of Brus-
sells knew and there is where the treacher-
Gus and underhanded work of Won Kissing
could accomplish some mischief With the
help Of paper, the "Vlsmsche Gazet," pub
lIshed at Antwerp and edited by a profess
sor Of the Royal Atheneum of Antwerp,
the Flamingands, as they were nicknamed,
started campaign for the apparent pur-
pose Of making peace with Germany, but
in reality 20 promote annexation 20 Ger
many Of the Flemish provinces, composed
Of the two Flanders, Brabant Brussels,
Limburg, Antwerp and Client. The popula-
ton Of these provinces cannot be held re-
sponsible for the vagaries Of few paid
agitators who do not represent them. Won
Kissing was not slow to take advantage
Of this apparent division among the Bel