Evening journal., 1918-11-09
The Triumph of Belgium
Over Piussisn zed Germany

but ever Denmark, Holland, Belgium,
Sweden and Norway. Here was
prophecy in pigment With apologies
TO John Ruskin, the Kaiser threw pot
Of paint In the face OF the world and
then called Il a map.
Yet all this was no joke for Flem-
ings. Walloons, Dutch, Danes or Scan
dlnayians, any more than for France,
when Alsace and Lorraine and Schles-
wig-IIolstein were remembered. They
began TO look at their unprotected
frontiers. Despite the jeers Of the ultra
paelflsts and the soothing sophistry Of
the hundred thousand or more German
traders who were making both Amster-
dam and Antwerp virtually outposts OF
Germany, a minority Of Belgians and
Hollanders called for measures OF ma
tional defence. From damning proofs,
long since abundant and clear, we
now know that many OF these Germans
were in active propaganda and busy In
spying and map making for Berlin,
France had seen what was coming
As early as 1876 Henri Havard, after
travel north in Holland had written
his book on "0ur Benaeed Frontiers" ="
But i'm Belgium, because Of trust In
treaties and the flattering assurances Of
German visitors, there was reaction,
For years the costly forts at Liege lay
idle. with no garrisons or with only
sergeant and file Of men as ianitors.
When. after Agadlr, the black shadow
was unmistakably lengthening, these
were garrlsoned, but German soothing
syrup had done its work. Then fol-
lowed the onrush Of August, i9ii, and
Belgium sank from sight under the
German inundatlon. Within half a year
the deep laid purpose Of the potsdam
gang was unmasked. It was not only
military-the use of Belgium as a STRAIT
egic basis-but nothing less than the
destruction Of Belgium nationality.
The method was 10 ALLEVIATE the Flem-
ing speaking northern half from the
WALTON provinces Of the South. Here
tofOre, Of whatever speech a Belgian
might be, he honored his flag. Hence
forth he must be either Gallic or Prus-
sian. A German state, as a defiant
western outpost and gateway Of the
Fatherland, was TO be reared on the
ruins OF a kingdom whose peFpetuity
had been insured by treaties, Prussia
being a signatory,
To build such a State only one
method, that Of Nebuehadnezzar, was
known or employed by the Germans.
Force, fines, deportation, rape, violence,
desOlatiOn, with churches changed to
rubbish and hundreds Of towns and VII
lagos made uninhabltable, filled the pro-
gramme. At the very outset they gave
an example, even while unwittingly
spelling their plan, by an explosion OF
beastly stupidity and destruction, at
Louvain. Four years later, in retreat,
the torch for the town, the ave and saw
for the orchard, and lagacy OF infamy
showed their stock in trade.
And the result OF it all? The abso-
lutte refusal Of the Flemish people to
do anything but hate their quondam
conquerOrs, secret journalism Of de-
nance, patient waiting for redemption
and the victory Of the Allies; yes, even
singing in 1916, and in presence Of their
Oppressors, in st. Gudule's Cathedral in
Brussels, the national anthem, La
Brabanconne," and this though they
knew the certainty Of the fine OF one
million francs which was levied upon
them the next day.
After wiping off the map Of Belgium
every French or WalloOn name and us
ing officially or printing on their map
only Flemish or Germanlzed names,
until II looked like page In a German
atlas, they tried TO make the University
of Chen a Prussian school. After three
years Of subsidy, free board and tut
tion, what enormous numbers flocked
thither? Tweniy-one students, or four
pupils TO each one OF the professors
As it is in Alsace and Lorraine, after
a generation OF hated rule, so in Bel
GUM, Africa, China and the so-called
colonies, which in the name Of human
lty, even more than OF politics, will not
be given back. In Holland, despite fifty
years OF intrigue, bullying, threats, a
diplomacy truly Prusslan-Satan and