TWO NATIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9620, 28 March 1917, Page 5

TWO NATIONS

BELGIUM DIVIDED FLEMINGS AND WALLOONS TO HAVE SEPARATE ADMINISTRATIONS. ily Telegraph—Press Association—CopyrlgU. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 28, 1 n.m.) AMSTERDAM, March 27. Following on the Flemish deputation's representations to tho German Chancellor, tho Governor-General ol Belgium has issued an order dividing the country into two administrative sections, separating Flanders from the Walloon, or French-speaking part. The new frontier runs from .south ol Vpres to north of Liege. The order makes Brussels the capital of the Flemish part and Namur capital of the Walloon section, hut other details are withheld. An official newspaper statement claims than tho order realises the Jongnarhoured wish of the Flemish people. There will be a Flemish University at Ghent. Flanders will have its own administration, with Flemish as tho official language. Vacant professorships in Ghent University arc being tilled with pro-German neutrals.

At the beginning of the present month a Flemish deputation asked Ur von Beth-inunn-HoUwcg (German Chancellor) to grant Flanders autonomy on the, basis of the Hutch language and culture. Ur von Bethmunn-Hollweg replied that economically and culturally Flanders and Germany were one. He promised in the German Emperor's name that Flanders would receive free cultural scope, but under German Government. Germany would guarantee the free development of the Flemish race at the peace negotiations and thereafter. It was pointed out then at Amsterdam that tho members of the deputation were merely Germany’s catspaws, and they were denounced us traitors by the vast majority of Flemings, and that, they were identical with the obnoxious section who accepted a Flemish university grant under German patronage. The Belgian people may be roughly divided into two great sect ions—tho Flemish who occupy the north and west; and tho Walloons, in the south and east. Tho Flemish are closely related to tho Dutch, and their general characteristics are Teutonic; while the Walloons are more closely allied to tho 1— i \hi race, and speak French. Numerically, the two divisions are nearly of equal strength. In 1910, exclusive of the children under two years. 2,800,000 Belgians spoke French only, 3,220,(KM) Flemish only, and 870,000 French and Flemish. In past periods, many of Belgium's iiolitical troubles arose from the inability of the two races to dwell together in amity-

HEALOTOH TRAGEDY HORRIBLE FATE OF ’ SOME OF CREW. I)y Teleeraph—Pres. Association—Copyrlsb' Auttrallnn and Nl Cahlo Association. WASHINGTON, March 2G. Consul Krogh, at Rotterdam, reports that the Healdton was following the German “safety” lane when she was torpedoed. Some of the crow were burned to death in the vessel, and others froze to death, being exposed for hours in weather below zero. RIOTS M HAMBURG ADMISSION BY GERMAN OFFICIALS. By Telegraph—Press Asßoola.tlin--Copyrltl>* Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. COPENHAGEN, March 2d. A German official statement denies the rumours of a groat fire at Hamburg, but incidentally admits the riots on February 21st and 22nd. GONVIGTEDJK ESPIONAGE AN AMERICAN JOURNALIST. By Teleeraph— Press Association— Cod yl* l '* Australian and N-Z. Cable Association. NEW YORK., March 26. George Vaux Bacon, an American journalist, arrested in England lor spying, pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy in organising on American soil n military expedition against a friendly Power. He was sentenced to 406 days’ imprisonment. MILITARY MEDAL AWARDED TO NEW ZEALANDERS By Teleeraph—Press Association —Copyrlß**'Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, March 2(1. Three New Zealanders have been awarded the Military Medal. PERSIAN CAMPAIGN RUSSIANS OCCUPY TURKISH FORTIFICATIONS. -y Tolecratih—Press Association—Copyrle** Australian and N.Z. Cable Association Admiralty—Per Wireless Press. LONDON, March 26. A Russian communique states: VVe occupied Turkish fortifications a% Kalaiehahin, in the direction of Khanikin. The Turks are maintaining themselves on heights near Miattaga. RUSSIAN FRONT FUTILE ENEMY ATTACKS. By Tolczrapb—Press Association—Copyrljtn Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, LONDON, March So. A Russian official report states: A German advance in the region of Postavy, following on four gas waves, was thrown back. Germans, dressed in white overalls, attacked eastward of Baranovitch, but were dispersed. A GRECIAN PROTEST ITALIANS ENTER JANINA. By Telegraph -Press AiSociaUon--Cooyriyb< iuitrallan and N-Z. Cable Association. ATHENS, March 20. The Greek Government has protested against the Italian occupation of the Janina district (Albania).