ABSENTEE TAX ON BELGIANS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 126, 29 May 1915, Page 13

ABSENTEE TAX ON BELGIANS.

Some hundreds of applications have been made by Belgians now residing abroad to the Belgian -Government, or to its diplomatic) and consular' representatives, to aak for advice in view of the recent German proclamation imposing a <a,x on absentees. In reply, it is explained that the Belgian Government hab issued to all neutral States "a strongly worded protest, in consequence of the issue of General yon Bissing's proclamation, which raises to a tenfold rate the personal taxes (and tho additional Sfcato taxes) of those Bolgian citizens who have quitted thoir country since the outbreak of war. "This tax, imposed contrary to all thp rules of international law, assumes the character of moro spoliation. Tho Belgian Government can neither admit its principle nor recognise its application. "The sums so paid will be reimbursed after the liberation of Belgian territory. Alienations of property made to secure tho payment of tho tax will bo considered null and void."