MARTYROOM OF BELGIUM

Nelson Evening Mail, 24 July 1916, Page 5

MARTYROOM OF BELGIUM

SPEECH IBY MR ASQUITH. (Reuler's Telegrams.) LONDON, July 21. Speaking at a banquet in celebration of Belgian Independence at the Albert Ha*£ Mr Asquith said'he wished to bring to the knowledge of the civilised world Germany's new decree against Belgian workmen, the object of which was to requisition Belgian labour militarily. That was the climax of a policy which had already unsuccessfully resorted to starvation and deportation. Belgium was going through one of those ordeals which -proved the stuff of which nations were made. Britain was ,taking note and would not forget her. Turning to the Belgian Minister, Mr Asquith concluded: ' '-'Tell your compatriots th:if their example has inspired and stimulated the Allied nations and their armies. Tell them, . finally, thaf when the hour of deliverance comes, and come it must ere long, it will be for Britain a proud and ennobling memory that it shared in restoring to them thenfreedom and independence, to which r.o nation in the history of the world has shown itself more indisputably entitled." (Loud cheers).