Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-21
By H. ROBERTSON MURRAY
{M. Emile .vandervelde, the Belgian min
lister OF Justice. 10 the well-known CO.
oiaiist leader and authority on
international trade unionisno

international trade unionism.)
Brussels, Dec. 20.-Belgium, which
suffered so severely under the Ger.
man occupation, Is the only coun.
try in the world to which the after.
math OF the war has brought fnan.
cial benefit. This does not mean
only that In this country, a. In all
others, there 10 the usual crop Of
war millionaires, but that the work.
ing classes generally are enjoying
an affluence which they have never
before experienced.
It 10 the only country, too, tina,
has not suffered from 4 plague Of
strikes. Labor has had ito griev-
-ances, 1t is true; but these have been
redressed. A satisfactory solution
OF labor problems has been made
possible because of the reorganiza-
ton of Belgian trade unionism on
better lines than existed before the
war.
M. Emile Vandervalde, whom I
saw in his Office at the ministry of
justice, explained that the reason for
this Improvement is that American
and British influence on Belgian
trade unionism has quite ousted that
of the Germans.
German Influence Changed.
Let me begin," said M. Wander
velde, by pointing out that before
the war the only influence to which
the Belgian labor party responded
proceeded from Germany. Pre-war
trade unionism in this country was
organized almost entirely on Ger
man lines. All that has now
changed.
"Belgium's sufferings during the
war have rendered her implacably
hostile to Germany. while British
sympathy has won for Britain these
advantages which Germany has lost.
The Belgians now watch the British
labor movement with the greatest
interest, and I venture to say that
the movement has more influence
here even than the French. In my
opinion, indeed, the British labor
movement now exerts the greatest
influence not only in Belgium but
throughout the world
so far a. the question of future
commercial relationship between Us
and Germany is concerned, / can
only say Look at the map
1.-THE hinterland of our chief port,
Antwerp, il Germany. Notwith-
standing our hostility against the
Germans, it is inevitable that we
must resume trade relations with
them.
Factor In World Commerce.
Belgium in its present state of
prosperity is no longer an insignifi-
can't factor in world commerce. 1t
is one Of the most important be-
cause it Is nearest to complete re-
covery of its former industrial and
commercial strength.
= Now, if the French and British
commercial policy becomes protec-
ZIONIST, Belgium will be driven.
despite itself, into closer and closer
trade relationship with Germany.
LES affaires sont les acqaires. It
10 simply, at present matter OF
geographical position and Of COM
mercial interest-factors favoring
Belgo- German trade relationship.
Those responsible for the future
commercial policy of our allies will
do we'll to pay due consideration to
these facts.
"The war struck staggering blow
at Belgian industry, but since the
armistice the Belgian workman has
made enormous efforts at produc-
ton. l dare say If you were to ask
the average bourgeois he would tell
you that the Belgian workman has
been striking as often a. his con-
trere in any other country. But the
truth is strikes in Belgium have not
become serious and the labor stu
alton here is most promising.
Unionism Flourishing.
TRADE unionism is fourishing.
Before the war there were in Bel
gium about 10000 trade unionists;
now there are over 100000, though
the number includes only those who
are members Of the socialist and Ia
Dor unions, and to them must be
added some 10000 so-called Chris
tian trade unionists.
1.-THE situation of our miners is
very satisfactory. The Belgian Min
ers' federation is asking for higher
wages, but they are putting forward
their demands in a patriotic spirit,
and not in 4 manner likely to injure
the consumer. The benefits to en-
ployes are very considerable, and l