The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-12-23
Reveal Belgium
Misery Caused
BY Deportation
Letter to Won Kissing Tells Of
Horrible Brutality in Coun.
try When Inhabitants Are
Taken Away.

to Governor General Won Kissing, pro-
testing against the deportation of Bel
gian workmen and 5ravely pointing out
the brutality with which the depor.a-
ton has been accompanied. was mac
public today by the federal committee
on public information.
The letter. which is dated November
~. Is. In part. as follows:
You say that many Industrial works
have been closed on account Of the lack
Of raw materials brought about by the
isolation. caused by the enemy. Per-
mt us. Excellency. to remind you that
the allied powers manifested very
clearly their intention TO permit the
importation into Belgium OF r.ssy ma
terials required by our industries. pro
Vided. with very natural provision.
that no acquisitions should be made
except those mentioned in article ~ of
The Hague convention--that Is to say.
those necessary to the Occupying
army and that an international COM
mission, the Commission for Relief in
Belgium, should have the right to SUI
pervise the destination OF the manufac-
tured products.
Implements and Materials Taken.
Instead Of agreeing to such Cro-
posal, we have seen the occupying au-
thorities systematically remove the ma /.
chinery, implements, machines of all
kinds, the engines and raw materials,
metals. leather, and wool. limit pro-
duction. aggravate continually the diff
ficulties of transactions.
You state also that unemployment
Is caused by the laborcrs' hostility to
work. The whole past of our working
class protests against this accusation
with every bit of energy that still re-
mains In them. Where is there to be
found in the whole world a working
class which has made OF SUCH small
country such great Industrial and
commercial power?
What Is true. however. is that the
Belgian workmen have refused the
most tempting offers. not wishing to
build trenches nor to repair forts nor
to work in factories which manufacture
war materials. This was their right and
their duty. Their attitude deserved re-
spect and not the most humiliating of
punishments.
No Fear Of Depreciation.
Your fear that continued unemploy-
ment may depreciate the physical and
moral status Of the workmen. We,
who know them. have more confidence
in them. We have seen them suffer
with stoicism which exists only in
proud and high souls. Did not the
splendid idea come from them of Or
ganizing throughout the entire coun-
try vast chain of educational work
for the unemployed in order to develop
their technical knowledge and to in
crease their professional value? The
Comite National was not. alas. author
lied to undertake this magnificent en-
terprise. Is the idea that 1t is through
forced labor. performed with black de-
spatr. like slaves, that our unhappy
brothers will keep up their physical and
moral energy.
Furthermore, the arbitrary and
brutal manner employed in the execu-
ton Of these sad measures has raised
all kinds of doubts regarding the OBJ
ject In view. The question, above ALL
Is to obtain workmen in Germany, for
Germany's profit. and for the success
Of its arms.
Distressing Scenes Common.
Distressing scenes occur every
where. The unhappy ones gathered to-
gether In the public squares are rapidly
divided into gangs. They had been
directed to bring a small amount OF
baggage: they are taken at once to the
railway station and loaded in cattle
cars. They are not allowed to say good
bye to their families. No opportunity
Is given to them to put their affairs in
order. even the most pressing ones
They do not know where they are GO
ing. nor for what work. nor for how
long. Taken away at the beginning of
the winter. after two years OF priva :
tons. having no further resources and
no means to provide themselves with
warm clothing or with other indis-
pensable articles. what privations are
they going to endure? How will they
live there? In what state will they
return? This mystery and this anx-
iety are the cause of the ceaseless tears
Of the mothers and little children Dis
tress and despair reign in the homes.
Appeal to Humanity.
Listen. Excellency to these tears
and these sobs. Do not permit our past
Of liberty and independence to go to
ruin. Do not permit human rights to be
violated in this holy Of HOLES. DO not
permit the dignity of our working
classes, which has been acquired aftei
10 many centuries of effort. TO be trod-
den under foot
TT Is to law and humanity that We
appeal. solemnly. and with the hope OF
being heard, for we have the profound
conviction that by our voice. at this
tragic hour. the great voice Of this
working class Of the entire civilized
world. expresses Its sorrow and its pro.
test.
Accept, Excellency, the homage O
our most distinguished consideration
(Here follow the signatures OF tn,
members Of the Comite National an,
OF the Commission Syndicaie.)