GERMANY AS SLAVE RAIDER

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2973, 10 January 1917, Page 4

GERMANY AS SLAVE RAIDER

In a passionate protest against the Belgian deportations, M. Mauiuce Maeterlinck, the well-known author, appeals to neutrals to do something to prevent ,tho continuance of this latest German crime. He _ declares that between tho criminal German nation and humanity is a gulf which cannot bo crossed till after Iqu£ years of penitence, suffering, and humiliation. There are some Britishera who still tell us that we ought not to do anything which would humiliate Germany; but normal-minded men and women will cordially agree with M, Maeterlinck's contention that this lawless nation should bo made to suffer for tho wrongs it has dono. The fundamental principles of justice would bo outraged if it should escape punishment. Tho deportations aro a gross breach of international law. But what do tho German authorities caro about law? The criminals cannot bo punished now, but the day of retribution must come, howovcr long delayed. The Germans havo tried to make the world bolieve that tho doportation system was inaugurated the unemployed are a danger to public order and a burden on official charity. They also state that tho prolongation of unemployment will result in tho workers losing their technical skill. But such explanations are too palpably falso to deceive anyono of avorago intelligence. Their hollowness is ruthlessly exposed by Cardinal Mercier in a letter to General von Bissino. Tho General's anxiety to protect the finances of Belgium evoked a witheringly scornful reply from the Cardinal, who tells the General that if the Gorman authorities really desire to protect-Belgian finance they should stop the war levies, which have realised £40,000,000 and continue at tho rate of £1,600,000 a month. They should also cease making r'equisi.tiona in kind which are exhausting the country. If tho Germans really wished to maintain the skill of t!w workmen, Belgian industry should havo been allowed to keep tho machines, accessories, raw material and manufactured products which havo been transported to Germany, lhc wholo truth," Bays tho Cardinal, is that each, deported workman means anothor soldier for the German army Ho will take tho place of a German workman who will bo mado a soldier." These deportations provide a further proof of the fact that Germany will stop at nothing. She has no more conscience than a beaat of prey She has shown no mercy and deserves to reccivo none.