FUTURE OF BELGIUM.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15751, 18 November 1916, Page 9

FUTURE OF BELGIUM.

DISCUSSION IN THE REICHSTAG. LONDON, November 16. A Berne wireless message states tha despite the „eerecy surrounding the procec*JißcTs of the Reichstag Committee it is known that there was considerable discussion during its proceedings- Dr ; von Bothmann-Hollweg has not committed the Government to a definite policy w'th regard to Belgium. Ho outlined a possible (settlement by which Belgium must be only nominally independent, but would lemain a German dependency. King .Albert must, be deposed : being an implacable ono'ijv, )ii' would l>e a perpetual menace." If the Belgians desired a King, lie must be a German prince. Other conditions include a perpetual offensive, and defensive Belgian and German alliance, the maintenance of :i Belgian army of specified strength and the maintenance ot a permanent German military commission at Brussels, a commercial treaty in accordance w'th German dictates, and the lease of two ports ats German naval base*. Several speakers demanded the retention of Belgium as part of the German Empire, and no one mentioned the possibility of being driven out- of Belgium. DEPORTATIONS PROCEED. (Australian and X.Z. Cabin Association.) (Received November 17th, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 10. A wireless message from Amsterdam states that despite Cardinal Mercier's protest, the deportation of Belgian civilians continues, especially that raihvaymen. Five trainloads of deported men traverse the frontier station daily. They include lawyers, tcachers, clergy, peasants, and labourers. REASONS FOR THE SLAVE RAIDS. (Roufcer'a Telegrams,) AMSTERDAM," 1 November 16. General von Bissing, Governor-General of Belgium, in an interview with a "New York Timers'' representative, explained that tho deportation of Belgians was really tho fault of tho British in cutting off war materials and supplies and prohibiting the export of produce. The, conditions consequent on this were unbearable, and necessitated employing ' Belgian workers in Germany, which was no hardship for Belgium. THE CALL TO WORK. A BAVARIAN PROTEST. LONDON, November 16. Tho "Morning Post's'' Berno correspondent states that Bavarian papers are protesting against the Berlin political and military authorities' mobilisation of tho civilian population of the Empire without consulting the Federal Council or tho Reichstag. They insist that tho separate German States should bo consulted. Tho Berlin Bourse is alarmed at the compulsory war service of civilians. It is reported that tho Army authorities arc limiting Army and contract profit-s to 10 per cent.

WORKERS' FOOD SUPPLY. AMSTERDAM, November 16. Marshal von Hindenburg, in a letter to Dr. von Bethmann-Hollweg, complains that workmen in the factories aro receiving insufficient food. "Many authorities," ho continues, "do rot realise that we aro fighting for our very existence. It is impossible 'or workers to remain fit for their dtitica if they are insufficiently nourished." AN ARCH-CRIMINAL DEAD. (Router'a Telegrams.) (R-eceivcd November 17th., 9.40 p.m.) LONDON, November 17. The 'death is announced of Count Tschirschzy, tho German Ambassador at Vienna, whose diplomacy was chiefly responsible for the war. EXCHANGE OP PRISONERS. AN UNLIKELY SCHEME. (AustraJian and N.Z. Cfliile Association.) \ Received November 18th, 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, November 17. The ' '""Morning Post's" Budapest correspondent states that tho Hungarian Government is considering a scheme for the exchange of prisoners of war, fit or unfit, upon condition that they are not used for any kind of war industry. Tho Press enthusiastically supports tho idea, yet there is little hope that tho scheme will materialise owing to the Austrian and German alliance. Russia profoundly distrusts Germany.