Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

FRANCE AND BELGIUM.

It is stated in. Brussels that the principal argument to persuade the Military Commission to adopt active measures for the defence of Belgium was the affirmation that France had secret designs of annexation. To dispel any idea that we have a new international question, I may at once say (writes the correspondent of the “Daily Chronicle”) that the basis of the incident is the floating legend that General Zurlinden, in 1897, actually proposed some such scheme to the Council of War. lam informed at the Belgian Legation that the story is absurd. On the other hand, Baron d’Anethan lias acknowledged to a representative of the “Temps” that he had from time to time sent clippings to the French journals which may have led to an erroneous impression. Probably the Belgian) vernment, at the invitation of the German Emperor, was glad to scrape together alarming reports to secure a grant from a reluctant Legislature. The inroads of Belgian subjects on French territory and the exclusive use of the Flemish language in French schools are a far more serious matter than the ambitious ravings of the Zurlinden and Metrcier set.

This article text was automatically generated and may include errors. View the full page to see article in its original form.
Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM19010309.2.58.6

Bibliographic details

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4301, 9 March 1901, Page 1 (Supplement)

Word Count
191

FRANCE AND BELGIUM. New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4301, 9 March 1901, Page 1 (Supplement)

FRANCE AND BELGIUM. New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4301, 9 March 1901, Page 1 (Supplement)