South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-20
Other Editor, Than Ours
GERMANIzING TIE FLENlINGs.
(Christian science Monitor.


As a part of deliberate attempt TO Germanize the
Flemish sections of Belgium. and incidentally
the western flank of the German army two significant
taken by the German authorities
of international UNDERSTANDINGS with regard occupied
territory. first the creation OF a Flemish
University Client and the second division of the
country separate administrative districts under
the authority of electoral body called council OF
Flanders In both cases the protests of the Belgian
people were prompt and unequivocal They refused
recognize the so-caled Activist movement. the name
given the undertaking divide Fleming from the
French speaking Waloon they stigmatiZed its sup
porters renegades suborned by the Germans and
they refused admit that the Council Flanders"
which proclaimed the separate existence of Flanders
had any authority to speak act for the people OF
Belgium.
When the German army crossed the Belgian frontier
II found. it is distinct Flemish movement This
was represented by important political and literary
CARNATIONS; but not OF these societies. according
TO recent declaration of leading Antwerp citizens
ready to support unpatriotic policy designed
separate the Flemish speaking population in Flanders
from the French speaking section in Wallonie Admin
stratiVe separation held place in the Flemish pro-
Flemings the elevation Flemish language
20 its rghtful place The Belgian Femngs did not re-
gard themselves forcibly Incorporated into
a country; but the free members free democra-
ey and they certainly desired foreign assistance
help them in the redress of their linguistic grew
The idea Of Flemish university had been
true before the broke out, but object
in a fair of being realized. The Femngs, in
fact, have shown such stout faith in that pFe-war
promise that they unwilling to receive the
boon hands invader who working for the
destruction OF national independence what they
independence such they enjoyed before the war
"a Belgium free and undivided.
Ii is obvious therefore that when Gen Won Falken-
hansen, the German goverror-g general of Belgium,
speaks OF the unaterable determination Of the Flemish
people to free itself from the pressure of French
he merely expressing the wishes council
Of Flanders whose authority and genuineness as
Flemish body questioned and repudiated by every
right thinking Belgian, and carrying the policy OF
annexation and absorption agreed upon from the
A. the Rhenisch- Westfalsche Zeitung recently ad-
the simple that Germans intended
Belgian nationasm should endure. Both DR.. Beth
mann Hollweg and the former governor general Of
Belgium, Gen Kissing. advocates OF alb
sOrpOn. The former imperial chancellor said that the
Germans could not abandon the Flemings who had
been so long subject Illumination; the contrary
the Germans could them a healthy development.
according resources based upon their
Belgium necessary 20 Germany and advocated a
pea which shall make the right a
constitutional right Force. he declared produce
the result sought But 10 act upon the policy of Ger
manizatou, Germany we'll aware that she would be
ranSCending her rights COnqueror. Hence she had
to elect Council OF Flanders in order TO create an
authority ready allow Germany pursue her policy
Of force under the guise treaty ThereupOn began
a widespread propaganda work under the auspices of
what was STYLED the 'NlamischeS Buro" and the es-
tizinc center thousands OF Flemish prisoners Of war
were conveyed and subjected the subtle influences OF
"A Denomination process conducted is alleged by a
professor % Gottingen university. with the aid OF
guage.
That the German attempt 10 undermine the Belgian
national feeling doomed allure goes without say
ing one hardly read the vigorous protests which
been reproduced in the Belgian press and come TO
OF