HARSH METHODS

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 49, 26 February 1918, Page 8

HARSH METHODS

GERMAN LEGISLATORS IS

BELGIUM.

' Despite anything that may be said by German Chancellors anxious to create a false impression, or by Reichstag orators who have been duped by a particularly smooth Foreign Office, it is obvious that Germany intends io stay in Belgium if she can; The Germans have come with bag and baggage, with changes of clothes, and directions to the postmaster concerning a changed address. Unless they are driven out by, the Allies, the Germans will make .Belgium a German reichsland.

Proof of thisis to be found' in a Dutch publication prepared , under the editorship of Charles Henry Huberich and Alexander Nicol-Speyer,' entitled "German Legislation for the Occupied Territories of Belgium, First to Tenth Series." It might be expected that the Germans, with their customary method; would make provision for the temporary rule of the occupied Belgian provinces. War and changed circumstances would make necessary certain regulations, and, as a matter of fact, the Fourth Convention at The Hague included in itß articles, accepted by Germany, ordinances to be adopted while governing the occupied territory of a hostile State. But the actual legislation put in force by Germany makes this convention, like all other agreements signed by the Teutons, merely another scrap of paper. The German masters of Belgium have adopted legislation quite outside the sphere of this convention and obviously meant to meet other than temporary or newly-arisen needs. Their whole object, it is evident, is to Germanise the country, to make it thoroughly subservient to their desires. They tell • the Belgians what to do with mad dogs, how butter is to be sold, what is to be taught in the schools,' on what conditions people may move fromplace to place, what language to use, now meetings may be held,, how reports on machinery are to be made. The laws are a monument of minutiae, a codification of Teutonic paternalism. Among the most numerous of the regulations are; those relating to education, both elementary and secondary. In many ways these are aimed to make the universities centres of l German "Kultur." Other laws relate to the use of languages. French : is everywhere forbidden, but Flemish is encouraged in certain provinces in accordance with the well-known German policy splitting the country into two factions. ■ • „ ■ " Food is the subject of numerous regulations. Flour may not be used for pastry, and the consumption of sugar is restricted. Owners of any kind of machinery are required to. make a declaratibn as to the capacity, power, dimensions, etc., o£ their machines. Reports have been filtering out of Belgium recently that all machinery of any value is being stripped and taken to Germany.