BELGIAN OUTLOOK

Hokitika Guardian, 4 December 1940, Page 2

BELGIAN OUTLOOK

HATRED OF GERMANS GETTING TRUTH BY RADIO LONDON, November 21 According to the statements of some young Belgians who recently escaped from their country and passed through France to join the Belgian Army in England, 90 per cent of the Belgians living under German domination behove in the final victory of British arms. Throughout Belgium relations between the people and the occupying authority are far more strained than is generally imagined, for the people are inspired with a hatred for the invader which is being increased bj r developments instead of being diminished. Win n the occupation began the Germans affected a friendly attitude toward the people. Refugees who returned to their homes were blandly asked why they had run away, since “we are not like the Germans of 1914.” Such reassuring remarks, however, did not hide the truth from the Belgians for long. By means of paper marks and requisitions the Germans succeeded, in a month or two, in draining the country of its supplies. In the almost total absence of edible oils and fats the Belgians see a sure proof of the effectiveness of the British blockade. Up to now fruits and vegetables, which Belgium produces in abundance, have supplied to some extent the lack of more substantial foodstuffs. But. the Belgians dread the winter, knowing that scarcity, if not famine, awaits them.

If there were any Belgians who used to admire the strength of the German discipline they have now shed their illusions. Seen at close quarters, the frightful machine shows its defects. The Belgians know now that the German discipline covers up deep antagonisms within the Hitlerite army.

It did not take the Belgians long to realise, the essential absurdity of the Nazi regime, which consists in applying different moral rules to the State and to individuals. The Germans, lor instance, impose very severe penalties lor individual pillage, but. indulge without scruple in colli ctive pillage. With many examples before their eyes the Belgians are almost immune from the effects of German propaganda .It may deceive a few intellectuals who have no contact with life but it does not deceive the people. Neither censorship nor German controlled newspapers can prevent the population from learning the truth. In fact the Belgians are no worse off for accurate news than, for example, the people of England. The news broadcasts of the British Broadcasting Corporation are listened to every day iri every family.