East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-12-31
MOCK EXECUTIONS HELD
FOR BELGIAN TRAITORS
ny n. H. SHEFFIELD


United Press Staff Correspondent
BRUSSELS, Dec. BLU. P.)-'l
tried three times to leave the country
to join up" said Belgian workman
TO me. "on the last occasion came
so near being electrocuted on the 1--we
wire that / gave up any further at
tempts. / was out of work for -
months: my wife and children were
famished. Nearly all in my little
home had been sold; rent was in heavy
arrear. The Germans offered me reg
fular work on munitions in Germany,
and an allowance and protection for
my wife and family. took their OIL
fer. for the sake of my dear ones. TO-
day the village shuns me as a traitor!
That is one case in, say, a hundred.
The bulk Of the Belgian traitors VINO
helped the Germans during the occu-
patton did so either from pure stupid
ity or from political motives. Many
thought Belgium was scheduled as
permanent German province. Some
became pro- German In order to be Tree
from German interference with their
daily life and occupants. Horse ana
! cattle dealers, farmers, and some IRON
founders were especially open to Prus-
sian establishments. mainly on account
of their war utility.
Many Flee from County.
Ever since the armistice the Belgian
courts have been busy trying those
who cumforted the enemy Many OF
the accused, especially those who are
CHARGED with delivering patriotic Bel
gians to the Germans, with forcing
Belcian workmen to take employment
under the Germans, and with acts OF
pure eedition against the Belgian gov
erEment. have fled the country, never
TO return. Not few of these, in their
absence and in view of the gravity OF
their crimes, have been sentenced to
death. In some Of the worst cases
among these, there is a mock execu-
tinn of the guilty ones in the public
market places of the Belgian cities
with guillotine. sheriff. gendarmes
and all the paraphernalia of the last
act of the criminals career. Many
more are serving long terms of impris-
onment.
Voluntary help to the Germans in
their war enterprises of any nature is
enough to secure conviction. High
and low, rich and poor, have had to go
through the hoop Complaint is
made that justice is slow, that some OF
the upper crust get away scot free,
while the starving laborer goes to Jail.
-One or two of the accused openly
avow that they prefer German rule to
Belgian. The fact is that the lists of
every court in the country contain
hundreds of cases of treachery yet to
be tried.
Public Opinion EIays Many.
Aside from those traitors who have
to meet their judges in the courts OK
law, there is a class of anti-patriots
who are today being punished by pub
lie opinion. These are small trades
men and others who, by sailing close
to the wind, have succeeded in keep |
ing beyond the pale of the law, and
yet whose record is known to their |
as having been distinctly |
ro-German during the war.
Seconding the efforts of the consti-
Luted authorities. federation of |
nearly hundred local patriotic So
sieties throughout the country is also
ousily engaged in ferreting out and in
cases of treachery and
rading with the enemy, which private
'esearch can work" more effectively
han government detectives. This fed
ration, called Justice" collects and
ollates evidence of a preliminary
and places it before the
ourts as basis for prosecution.