Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1916-12-14
GERMAN REPLY ON
BELGIAN DEPORTATION
Continues from Page one)

WorlSingmen to Germany and against
their compulsory 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 occnpied territory The
German government thinks that the
government of the United States has
been incorrectly informed regarding
the cause and the execution of the
measures and therefore considers it
appropriate first to explain the facts
in detail
'.Iil Belgium unemployment for
considerable time has been extending
in perplexing fashion among the in
dus.rial Morkin gmen. 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
expectation of manufactured goods,
and has thus brought the greater part
of Belgian Industry to standstil.
"Bv this measure almost half of the
workingmen in Belgian factories, num-
beri:l:g altogether in round figures
1,200. 900, were deprived of the posi-
bility of earning a living, and many
more than half a million Belgians, who
formerly supported themselves by in
dustrlal work we've made dependent
upon public relief Adding the mem
bers of their families, this number is
3
ures, one and a half million persons.
From the standpoint Of Belgian
economic right, upon which this I'M
employed inflict a heavy burden, as
also from the standpoint of public or
der and public morals which are most
dangerously affected by general unenn-
ployment and the accompanying con-
sequences, this situation makes it eX-
tremely desirable and urgent that eff
icien: measures for improvement be
taken. This necessity has been recog-
niZed and pointed out also by fair
minded Belgians for q long time.
Under such conditions the governor
general of Brussels on May 10, 1915
issued an order by which, upon persons
enjoying public relief and declining
without adequate reasons to accept or
to continue TO do work corresponding
to their abilities, confinement or
coerc:ve labor was imposed.
Belgian Industries bein gin a de-
pressed condition, il was impossible to
procure for all the unemployed work,
| or at least proper employment within
Belgium itself. The only thing posi-
BILE, therefore, was to assign them to
work in Germany. where large num-
| Der of Belgian worGingmen had al
ready Voluntarily accepted work, were
we'll fed, were receiving high wages
and were enjoying far-reacaing liberty
| of movement. For those wnrlSingmen,
| however, that did not support their
families, coercive ,labor was used.
These measures are completely in
accordance with international law for,
according to The Hague convention
! relating to war on land paragraph
49,, the occupying power is Obliged to
| undertake the maintenance of public
| order and public life in occupied dis
| .trictS.. and for this purpose, as far as
| the country's laws prove insufficient
| to act by .eomplemcntai orders The
| maintenance of public order, without
| doubt, implies that able bodied per-
| sons as far as possible are not to be
| thrown upon public charity and by
idleness become public calamity and
nuisance: but that they must be held
| to work.
The order has been carried out with
all possible consideration and without
harsaness. If isolated mistakes have
| happened in the selection OF persons
| sent to Germany, and if especially
| the measure has been extended tC
| persons where the conditions of the
| order of Nav Is, 1916, are not fulfilled
| the cause has been that the Belgian
authorities frequently failed to CO.
| operate IL drawing up a list of the
| unemployed or reported in incorrect
| fashion. Care has been taken thai
such mistakes shall be repaired as
| quickly as possible. For above all, il
! shall be insisted that only auch per-
sons shall be sent to Germany as re-
! ceive public assistance and find nc
work in Belgium or refuse the work
| offered to them in Germany