EXPOSED.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17098, 22 February 1916, Page 7

EXPOSED.

BELGIUM'S DISTRESS. GERMANY STRIPPING THE COUNTRY. BRITAIN' NOT TO BLAME FOR DESTITUTION. By Telegraph—Preea Association—Copyright. LONDON, February 20. Sir Edward Grey has issued the memorandum sent to the Belgian Minister in response to frequent representations as to the impending ruin of Belgian industries and universal unemployment.

Sir Edward Grey states that, he understand* that thara is a strong

feeling among Belgians that their distress is attributable solely to the action of the Allies in preventing imports. "It is often contended, -1 he says, " that this action doe.? not appreciably harm Germany, while involving painful loss to the people of an Ally. Britain is n<yt convinced that Belgian industry can be maintained without considerable gain to the enemy. Still, the Government is anxious to assist, and has* therefore permitted certain export from Belgium. For tho same reason the Government permitted the importation of raw materials to Belgium through the Relief Commission. The undertakings demanded from the Germans were that they should permit the free importation of raw material and export the goods manufactured therefrom through tho Relief Commission, and' also free from embargo or requisition stocks of similar raw materials and manufactured goods remaining in the country. The scheme was submitted to the* Germans four months ago, but no reply was received."' The memorandum shows how Beligum is being used to supply Germany. Sir E. Grey says that the Germans are determined to'allow the entry of no relief to Belgium until they haye taken from the country the last ounce of material and caused widespread destitution, forcing Belgian labour to emigrate to Germany. The German policy should Jie fully exposed. Exports from Belgium to Germany during November by one route totalled 74,000 tons of coal, 6100 tons of phosphates. 100 tons of lead, 1350 tons of ore and 1600 tons of briquettes. Previous exports included 1600 casks of tanning extract. Half the output of Belgian textile mills had been requisitioned', and all the most esseutial materials in Belgium were controlled in the German interest. Now the fixed policy of the Germans to impoverish the country stood revealed, Britain must disclaim any re&ponsibilitv towards the Belgians for the evils which the enemy had caused and refused to remove.