Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-01-04
A V|EW|',DF THE WAR UP TO
DATE AS seen IN berlin
,EEA.EIslkz

decide. The fate OF Belgium depends
| upon the outcome. II the war is q
draw, Belgium's future will depend
upon the peace terms.
Peace today depends upon the So
Tuition Of the Belgium Question. IN
Fiji England and Germany come to
Ian understanding on Belgium's fut-
lure the war will continue. These
statements have been made 50 often
THAT the United Press asked the cen-
sor to pass this article to tell the
outside world what everyone here
talks about. s.,
Il During the last few weeks two
things became evident. England de-
clares that, she will not make peace
until Belgium is evacuated. Ger
many is determined that Belgium
will not be given up until Germany
lis assured that it will not be q po-
tlitical or military alley Of Great
Britain's. ,....
| For several weeks. / have asked
high officials what Germany is 90;
ling to do with Belgium. The answer
has been that not even the Kaiser
knows. This undoubtedly is true.
Much seems to depend upon the fut-
lure progress Of the war.
In Germany there. are two parties
with regard to Belgium. One wishes
Ito keep Belgium. The other wants
Ito give it up. The line is not dis
Itinctly drawn. Many think Ger
lmany should keep Antwerp and the
forts of Namur and Liege, or that
Germany should have the right to
garrison those fortresses. Others be
llieve Germany should keep Antwerp
as an outlet to the channel for Ger
many. Others wish Germany to keep
all of Belgium, but this is consider
ed minority. ..sst.,.
There is general feeling that
Belgium should never be permitted
TO return to the position she held
before the war. 1t is felt that Bel
GUM was not neutral because Of the
documents found in Brussels show
ling informal discussions OF converl-
ltions between Belgium and England
about landing British troops in Bel
GUM inI case Of a violation Of Its
neutrality by Germany. which Ger
many considers, in effect, treaties.
The universal opinion seems TO- be-
THAT Germany will not give up Bel
| GUM while there is a probability OF
renewal Of these conventions. The
fear exists that England may in the
future use Belgium to defeat Ger
many. ....,.s .,5s i.5.
Germany considers that she holds
within her hands the terms Of peace
and that she has won the war-TSo
| far as the war and 1915 is concern
| ed. 1t is asserted, however. that
through English control Of news
channels, what are considered VIC
tories here reach the world as de-
Ifeats, as indications that Germany is
weakening. This breeds concern in
Germany that when it comes peace
making time the Allies will cause
lany peace terms to be interpreted as
German defeats, especially If Ger
many shows a willingness to evacu-
ate Belgium. 1T is said here that the
Allies will declare that Germany is
defeated or she would never give up
Belgium. Many Germans want to
keep Belgium because they think IT
will be- the best evidence that Ger
many has won the war.
Many things are Interpreted as
evidence that Germany intends or
does not intend to keep Belgium.
One is that Germany never would
have spent the millions OF marks for
bridges, new railroads, public build
lings and other improvements, II she
wasn't going to keep Belgium. A
large government printing estab-
ment has been erected in Brussels. A
wealthy German count, reported to
|be friend of the Kaiser's. has erect
led a large newspaper Office there.
On the other hand it is declared
Germany could not keep Belgium
without giving the people represen-
tation In the Reichstag and one Of
fetal said that would be impossible
because Eve could never have so
many French speaking members Of
our parliament" Alsace and Lor-
raine are not considered similar.
Less than one-seventb OF that terri I.
tory is inhabited by people Of French
origin. In Belgium there are prac-
tically no Germans.
The whole Of Germany therefore,
looks to the Kaiser to decide what
Germany's final position shall be
with regard to Belgium. The con-
stitution provides that the Kaiser
shall make the terms Of peace. When
a.. ros,or d,os doc;do hic Iaod rx,;1l