GERMAN WILES IN BELGIUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16847, 11 May 1918, Page 2 (Supplement)

GERMAN WILES IN BELGIUM.

BERLIN DELUGED WITH PROTESTS. Feom a Belgian official source Reuter's Agency learns .that the German GovernorGeneral of Belgium has issued a letter which, after reproaching the members of the Supreme Court for what he describes as " their disloyalty and want of patriotism" for suspending all its sittings as a protest against the deportation of magistrates, makes the admission that " they committed an action hostile to the occupying Power," thus clearly recognising the fact that the separatists were in reality German agents. The reaction is spreading throughout Belgium, and apart from the steps already announced written protests are being ( addressed daily to Berlin. The Belgian bishops, who have not been permitted to hold any meeting, have also sent separate protests to the German Government. The question is dealt with in Cardinal M-ercier's Lent pastoral, and the merchants of Antwerp, together with Provincial Councils, Universities, and deputies of East Flanders, have also sent solemn protests, copies of which are being distributed secretly and arousing the greatest enthusiasm throughout the country. Faced with this serious and unexpected development the German authorities have now issued rigorous orders forbidding any mention on the subject either bv word or by letter.