The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-05-08
ELC|UM RISING
FROM ASHES OF
GERMAN TORCH
ork Of Reconstruction Is
Pushed Rapidly,
uBy rulyer,nl scryics)

Wv I. l.NlN'IHll NtINl''.
LONDON Belgium as today CON
iiu,ed, though an independent mon.
|chy is really a collection OF many
Tie republics Each commune is as
alouS today as II was in the four
rnih century OF its communal lie
ID SELF suiicicncy Each commune
s arrived a, its own interpretation
bl only OF It's own needs but even OF
application Of the central laws
hich have been imposed upon /, by
be central state. no matter whether
hai state be national, as at present,
foreign. as under the imperial or
panish rule.
The head OF each little state or
pmmune is the bourgmestre, lie is
ot merely little iunctionary, as IN
rance or England, with restricted
overs and remote influence, but is
i, were, the head OF a clan, with
he molding OF the destinies OF his
'ellow citizens entirely in his hands.
DtlHluW NdtulhI DhIIlV1.
The position OF Belgium makes her
lmoN naturally the barrier between
he great nations which surround her.
Ter great function has ever geen TO
tand IN the way OF the aggressor.
bclgium's love OF her soil, her hatred
bf foreign interference. bred OF cen
|urics OF foreign domination, caused
her people TO rise as ono man when
|be German bully demanded right
(f way Each commune, speaking
Ind acting for itself, endeayored fear
|essly 10 arrest the overwhelming
avalanche. even against the orders OF
hyperion authority for they were
)rondeurs and quixotlo And today
(hey are paying for their unconquer-
bile ,emeri,y. Walloon industry IS
At an end. though the spirit OF re-
remains unchanged.
No more pitiable sight exists in the
world than the ers,while hives OF in
hustry which are continuous from
Charlerio to Namur. from Namur TO
Nerviers and Liege and from liege
10 Tirlemon,. Louvain and Brussels.
The scene is one Of utter desola,ion
Machinery Under Concrete.
Systematically and with wonderful
ingenuity the German had set about
and accomplished his task OF destroy
ing Belgian competition with his own
industry. Such machinery as could
no, be ,ransplan,ed has been buried
deep under masses Of concrete, and
the factories themselves are but gap
pinp wounds on the ear'h's surface,
CRYING for vengeance 10 the skies and
the four winds OF heaven.
But even today the work OF recon
struc,ion is beginning. The quick
wiued congregations Of Wal'oon in
dustrials know what they want and
intend TO have Il, despite all hin
ORANGES which may be put in their
way. They know their own psycho'o-
~ and are sure OF themselves Gem
turics OF oppression have taught them
10 be self-teliant. have shown them
how and when to take risks.
They have long been, and still VIII
be. the mos, prosperous people in Eu-
rome. despite the setbacks which they
have suffered. Time and again they
have seemingly committed suicide for
the sake Of their individuality ant
autonomy. They have Knocked and
derided their oppressors, even in the
throes Of agony. and have emerged
like the phoenix with new and re-
viyed vigor from the consuming fire
OF adversely.
Such is the spirit Of Belgium, and
Il il this spirit that will accomplish
her regeneration.