New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-01-29
BELGIUM'S PLIGHT
BLAMED ON BERLIN
Minister Describes How Germans
Forced Poverty on Country

Washington, Jan. 29.-Minister Ha-
venith of Belgium issued a statement
last night denouncing as untrue the
German governments contention that
deportation of Belgians for forced la
Dor is a social necessity on account of
unemployment resulting from the
British blockade
In reality, what has happened is
the exact contrary to the statement Of
Germany" said the minister, .and, as
in the case of the deportations, it is
the Germans who have created a state
of affairs upon which they have after
ward endeavored to establish the JUS
LITIGATION of the illegal measures taken
by them.
ION June 20, 1915, the legation of
the king formally and officially pro-
tested against the seizure of raw ma
terials amounting to +$17, 100000. 9th
er official protests have been made un-
der dates Of December 29, 1914;
March 4, 1915, and october 20, 1915,
against the seizure of machines and
tools reuuisitioned by the Germans in
Belgium and sent into Germany.
Belgian industries having been
there followed an increase in the
number of unemployed, due entirely
to the actions of Germany, who has
not hesitated to sa criflce. Belgian in
terests, as, indeed, General Won Bis
sing openly acknowledged when he re-
Gently declared he was not in Belgium
to watch over the interests of that
country but to take care Of the in
terests of Germany. 4:
Country Saved From Starvation.
1.-The German government in its
communication note to the American
government, then takes UP the matter
of the financial burden which this
state of affairs imposes upon Bel
GUM. 1t is sufficient to recall briefly
that Germany has wilfully disregard
ed all it's obligations toward the occu-
pied country. 1t was the direct duty
of Germany to feed the population.
However, had it not been for the in
ltatlve and good will of citizens OF the
United States the Belgian population
would today be dead from Starvation.
1.-THE legation Of the king recalls
also that Belgium (Which, even ac-
cOrding to what Germany herself
says, is for the moment without COM
merce and without industry is sub
100000 a month (more than ten
times the amount of ordinary taxes
in time of peace); that she has paid
this tax since the beginning of the oc-
cupation of her territory, and that in
addition, she has been subjected to
acquisitions Of all kinds which Ger
many has imposed upon her and which
have made a desert of certain parts of
this unfortunate country
t'Public opinion will judge whether
it appertains to Germany to speak of
the financial burden which Belgium
endures to feed her population when
this burden should be borne exclu-
sively by Germany.
when Germany had thus reduced
to idleness a large number of work
men she decided to export them into
Germany, to liberate in this way an
equal number Of German workmen,
who would rejoin the German army in
the field. This plan was conceived a
long time in advance, as one may see
by reading the official orders of the
German government.
More Than 10000 Exiled.
To-day it is no longer question
only of the deportation. Of the unem-
ployed. According to information re-
ceived by the government of the king,
employed and unemnloyed-all those
whom the German government thinks
that it can utiiize-are deported to
Germany. The number of these I'M
fortunates is today more than $780,
00O"
Defending the refusal of his coun-
trymen to labor voluntarily for the
Germans, the minister said:
'Is there a right more sacred than
that of refusing to contribute to the
augm entation Of the effective of the
armed forces Of the enemy? This is
not only right-it is strict and i'm
perative duty for every good citizen,
and the legation Of the king is glad to