New-York tribune., 1918-03-29

cafe; they are Stunned in all places of re-
union.
In reality the whole of the country is one
vast conspiracy against the Germans. Every
one in every class of society is engaged in
some secret work-passing letters, sending
out information, helping recruits tc cross
the frontier. The forbidden paper LA
Llbre Bclgique" still hourishes, a thorn in
the German flesh. Prisons are filled with
its editors, its collaborators, it's porters.
Still the paper appears, more vengeful after
each fresh condemnation.
A Daily Tragedy
The martyrdom of Miss Cavell is daily
recurring tragedy. Men and women un-
inchingly go to their death with the cry
of Long live Belgium!" on their lips. The
people who como out of prison tell moving
tales of the heroism they have witnessed.
In prison in Germany is an old woman
condemned to ten years hard labor for
some patriotic work which the Germans
name treason" This woman was giving
last messages to fortunate companion,
who was leaving. Tell them over there"
she SAID, they must not make bad peace.
| would rather die in this prison than think
the Allies would make a bad peace"
And that is the general feeling in Bel
GUM We have suffered too much we have
oeen lighting too desperately to bear the
thought OF all our work being annihilated
by peace which would not be based on the
triumph of the Allies
Inc Germans, having found that the Bel
glan spirit was uncomfortable, have tried
thelr 1avorlte method of stirring up race
ieeNng. The task appeared easy Belgium
- oiVloed INTO two races-the Dutch ele-
rnent' represented by the Flemings; the
LAIN or french element, represented by
the Walloons. These two races are entirelv
ol1ferent IN character and language. The
sudden onslaught of the Germans had
brought about fine unity of national feel
ing and against this rock all efforts to
oerihahi2e' the Belgians have repeatedly
lalleo. Inc Germans, then, have tried to
aisuhlte our people. In these attempts thew
nave slgnally failed. The leaders of the
flemish party, who before the war were
ciamoring for rights" have preferred to
De sent to prison in Germany rather than
accept the fulfilment of those same RIGHTS
"heh prohered to them by the German gov
erni"eh'' Against the peoples will the
country has been divided into two differen+
ADMINISTRATIONS, but the public officials of
belgium have resigned in great nu,nbore
rather than countenance measure innosod
on us by the enemy p'eo
Love of freedom is a long inherited ros-
sion in the Belgian heart Our natr;ots,,, fs
consists chiefly IN fierce love of tho soil
belglums whole history is one lone record
u struggle against oppression Again and
again the iron heel of the conoueror h,S
crusned our nation, drenching the land with
the lite blood of our heroes. We are a mor-
Velio'lsly tenacious and Giving" folk. rebel
nous ny instinct to all attempted tyrannv
EUen the Children
And in this dark hour this instinct has
no1 1allcd u.s. 1t is alive to-day among the
ch'ldfen OF our people. Last AUGUST was
a' "ayside inn in the country with a
parry OF club girls from our Brussels
hasC End. The landlady's son. a little how
OIL '"elVe, knew great number of those
pa'r'otlc songs that arc chiefly taught since
ehey are forbidden. He stood on q tahle
anna sea OF our girls and sang SONG
"l'er song IN high, clear voice After a
"n'ie we asked him to sing the "Braban-
come our national hymn He started hn+
suodehiy broke down in the middle and be-
gan to cry. J. thought he was merely over-
eAc.ted' and taking him out in the garden.
tr'ed TO comfort him, as one would n little
child. And he said to me amonc his +enrs
us not all that, mademoiselle; it's that
do so want to be free"
ana TINS child did but voice the longing
w. "li our hearts. Three years of misery
ana oppression have strangely spiritualized
1 neis'"h hatioh. The harder life be-
comes tho more the people rise above ma
terial circumstances.