Evening journal., 1918-05-31

Exploitation of the New 'Duchy of Bel
GUM"
The question that is still much de-
bated, how we may meet the doubts
that stand in the way Of annexation
Of territory containing foreign and hos
tile peoples. leads us to consider In a
general way the securing OF the neces-
sary treasures Of the soil, so far as
concerns land for. purposesfof agricul-
ture and Of colonization. The notion Of
q so-called evacuation has already
appeared. In this connection ] desire TO
reproduce proposals preceding from
eminent and recognized leaders Of the
German colonial movement and OF the
German economic life. With special
reference to Belgium, the following
points Of view were submitted to the
author by one OF these leaders.
In every place where the population
has been guilty OF offenses against our
army by brigandage and armed resist
ance, the inhabitants are to be eXpro
priated. Compensation 30
families Is TO be set Off against mill
sary contributions. They must more
over, take up their residence outside
~ the German empire.
The land thus set free is TO be di-
vided among the members OF those
German regiments that have had 10
suffer from treachery Of the former
population. and among the widows and
children Of the slain and the wounded. /
Factories and industrial plants whose /
owners or managers have taken part
in resistance to our army. are to be
confiscated and turned over, in cOrp0-i
rate ownership. TO suitable workmen
who belong to the German army and
arc ready TO take up work in such cs-
tablishments.
All mines are to become public prop
erty Of the new German Duchy Of Bel
GUM, except where they are already
in private German ownership.
Every former Belgian who does not
declare, within four weeks after the
Official Incorporation Of the former
kingdom that he intends TO become J
German national, must leave the terri
tory Of the German empire with his
family.
Similarly, for a period Of ten years,
every former Belgian who commits any
.offense against the empire and its laws
Is to be expelled from the imperial ter
ritory.
In accordance with these principles,
and In order 10 form a sharply marked
national boundary, a broad strip Of land
IS TO set of on our entire present and n
Belgian frontier, in which pure German
settlements shall be established, con
sisting OF men who were drawn into
fservice during the war. In
the new German territories compensa-
,tion can be. given TO those Germans
who, IN the course Of the war, were /
expelled by our enemies and thus lost
their homes and occupations.
The proposals above quoted are no |
tably supplemented from another side /
In somewhat the following form
II we are to remain a strong natinn |
and IL we are 10 extend our world pow
er upon a secure basis, we need Il
German colonization in the districts
that fall into our hands. For
this purpose it IS not sufficient that new
strips Of land In the East and in the n
West come under German imperial II
sovereignty; it Is further necessary that II
landed property be acquired directly
by the state. This Is the great goal
not merely war indemnity in cash,
but preferably and principally O war
Indemnity In real estate.
Arthur Dix. Der Weltwirtschafts-
krieg, in the series "Zwischen Krleg
and Frleden, Heft 3 (i9ii), Do. 1910. &
''Haw Materials for War Industry"
Our whole western frontier from n
South to North must be improved, as "A
'sr as conditions permit IN
Dur boundary must II possible be so n
lrawn-this has.not previously-been the