Belgian Revenge Goes To Ominous Lengths

Northern Advocate, 3 October 1944, Page 4

Belgian Revenge Goes To Ominous Lengths

NEW YORK, Oct. 2. There is an odd contrast between the strict and just military Government imposed on captured German towns by the American Ist Army and the somewhat chaotic conditions Prevailing across the border. wheic liberated Belgians arc carrying political and personal, revenge to ominous lengths, reports a correspondent ol toe “New York Times” at Roetgen. Germany. There has not been a single serious infraction of the Ist Army s ordinance; since it entered Germany a fortnight ago. The curfew has been imposed, all cameras, binoculars and firearms. have been collected, and the inhabitants have been forbidden to travel from one village to another. Colonel A. K. Billings heads the temporary military Government which will' eventually be replaced by the permanent Allied Military Government. Colonel Billings installed Ludvig Barth as temporary burgomaster. Barth was one of two Nazi officials who stayed behind when the German army withdrew and is believed to be still pro-Nazi. However, Colonel Billings said ihat Barth, who had done everything the Americans asked, will be replaced by the A.M.G. Nazi or suspected Nazi officials, are being utilised solely to speed up local organisation. The smoothly functioning Military Government here contrasts with the. situation in Belgian towns like Verviers, Spa and Liege, where those in authority are imprisoning suspected collaborationists without explanation and conducting searches without warrants. It is clear that there is a good deal of personal revenge mixed in the honest feeling against collaborators, and there is no Government in this part of Belgium strong enough to deal with the situation.