Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-11-15
US. OFFICIALLY NOTES
BELGIAN DEPORTATION
Charge Grew Instructed to Make
Representations to Chancellor
Won Bethmann-Hollweg.

President Wilson has taken official
cognizance of the deportation of Bel
gian civilians into Germany for forced
labor. and Mr. Grew. United States
charge at Berlin. has been instructed
to represent to Herr Won Bethmann-
Hollweg. the German chancellor. that
such deportations cannot but have a
most unfortunate effect on neutral opin-
ion, particularly in the United States.
which has the welfare of the Belgian
civilian population very much at heart.
The instructions grew out Of long
report from Charge Grew in which he
stated that he had discussed the situa-
ton informally and unoficially with Tn
der Secretary of Foreign Affairs Zim-
norman.
SAYS Strain Is Intolerable.
The latter admitted that definite
policy had been adopted to enforce the
labor of Belgians 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
intoIerable.
| The deportations are viewed here not
only as a violation of international law.
but in a degree as a violation of Ger
many's assurances to Amba Ger
ard last June. which. though relating
to the 10000 French women and gifi5
deported from Lille, Roubaix and Tour
Going. are felt to be applicable 10 the
| Belgian situation.
The deportations are regarded by some
officials here as an attempt to release
| German workers for-the firing line by
! replacing them with Belgians
All Able to Work Face Deportation.
! HAVRE. via Paris, November 10
| The Belgian government is in posses
| sion of the text of decree issued from
German headquarters under date OF oc-
tober 3. subjecting to forced labor all
Belgians able to work and who, for
want of employment or for any other
! reason, are receiving public support
| Those subject to this decree. 1t is
| pointed out. may be compelled to work
away from their domiciles. that is. may
! be sent to Germany.
| The Belgian government fears the
! decree is about to be applied to the
whole occupied territory, as census
is being taken by the German military
authorities of all the unemployed IN
| Belgium The German government
. object, the Belgian government de-
| clareS, in addition to running beleidt
! industry and forcing Belgian workmet
/ to accept against their conscience work
/ offered by the Germans. is thus to re-
| lease German workmen for the purpose
of supplying in the army losses in
| Cured in the fighting.
| Plenty of Work at Home.
| If it were otherwise, the Belgian gov
eminent contends. if the Germans only
designed to combat the idleness of Bel
gian workmen, it could employ them or
public works in the neighborhood OF then
homes and families, adding:
They have not done this, but, on the
contrary, have sent out of the country OF
purposely deprived of employment work
men who had never ceased to work. The
Germans have offered the attraction OF
| high wages to those who consent volun-
tarily to deportation. and thus, by excit
ing hopes Of lettering their lot, to dc
work directly connected with the war
The deported Belgian has thus the choice
between starving and treason.
The Belgian government by every diplo-
matte raeans, it is understood is placing
! the case before the neutral governments