GERMANY AND SLAVERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3274, 13 December 1916, Page 19

GERMANY AND SLAVERY.

M. Dewiart, Belgian Minister, in a special cable to the Now York World, says that the deportations arc tha result of barbarity and bad faith by Germany. ihey were caused' by an aggregation of Gorman manes in [Belgian banks. r lho Germans •seized 500,000,000 marks, which wore compulsorily invested in Germany. The invaders planned the ruin of our industries, and wore forced to resort to deportations in order to release Germans for the army. Belgium supplied four-tilths of the Western army’s needs. The total German profits from the occupation of Belgium are 2.000,000,000 marks. Salaries are paid only to workman who cign the engagement registers, and the men are obliged to work in virtual slavery.’ .Mi Dewiart concludes: “Will the country of Lincoln remain passive in the presence of an organised trade in civilised men?” , .

"The Dutch Foreign Minister, replying to a question, stated that the Dutch Government sent a Note to Germany protesting against the Belgian deportations. It pointed out that the Dutch authorities in 1.914- encouraged Belgian fugitives to return to Belgium after Holland had made a convention with Germany, under which the latter Power guaranteed their personal liberty to all returning Belgians. Therefore the Dutch Government hoped that all such fugitives deported to Germany would be sent home .again. Germany's reply to this was unsatisfactory ; but diplomatic conversations are still proceeding. The Berlin authorities, replying to Hie protests against Belgian deportations, practically tell the Dutch to mind their own business. The Swiss Federal Council rejected resolutions passed by cantonal councils protesting against the "deportation of French and Belgians, as it would involve an investigation, which was not within Switzerland's province. The Telegraaf states that preparations are afoot to deport at least 50.000 persons from the Brussels neighbourhood. The Germans arc resuming deportations from the North of France. Six thousand men have been sent in cattle trucks from Lille, Roubaix, Turcoing, and Cambrai to Dufscldorf and Essen. There have also been deportations from the Namur province.

M. Maurice Maeterlinck, the Belgian dramatist, has addressed a message to the American people, urging America to place herself at the head of a league of neutrals with a policy of action, not of protest, to force Germany to cease her inhuman policy. He mentions 'that there are 40.0C0 Belgians under forced labour at the point of the bayonet digging German trenches at the back of Soissons, and they work in the first-line trenches under fire. Tho Belgian workmen threatened with slavery are appealing to the world's neutral workmen to move in their behalf. They point out that half a million men have been forcibly thrown idle, while the deportees aro being forced to carry out German military work or mining in Germany, and are being paid only 3d a day. His Holiness the Pope has protested against Germany's refusal to allow Cardinal Mercier to attend tho Consistory. Tho Pope's consistorial discourse condemns Germany's deportations and air raids on open towns. Tho Now York Times Porno correspondent states that the Pope's allocution in the secret Consistory was so couched as to convey impartiality, reprobating all violations by belligerents of human and divine laws, but making direct reference to the deportations of Belgians as a war measure unprecedented in the history of civilised nations. The Allies' Note to neutrals protests against the deportation of the Belgians as contrary to the principles of international law, to all conventions which before the war were signed by Germany, and to assurances given on the' establishment of the neutral committee for feeding the Belgians. The text of America's protest against the deportation of Belgians is as follows: —"Tho Government of the United States has learned with tho greatest concern and regret tho policy of the German Government in deporting from Belgium a portion of the civilian population for the purpose of forcing them to labour for Germany. The United States Government is constrained to protost in a friendly spirit, but most solemnly, against an action which is in contravention of all precedents and principles of international practice amongst civilised nations in the treatment of noncombatants of conquered territory. Furthermore tho Government is convinced that the effect of this policy, if pursued, will in all probability be fatal to tho Belgian relief work, which is to bo generally deplored, and which will assuredly seriously cmbarass the German Government." Tho German and Dutch Socialist delegates mot at The Hague on December 7, and discussed the Belgian deportations. The German delegates effected to condemn them, and promised to endeavour to secure their repatriation. The visit is regarded as n German sop to neutrals, as it was impossible for tho _German delegates to undertake fheir mission without the perm is.-ion of the Government. TREATMENT OF rOLES The New York- Times Paris correspondent obtained a Polish deputy's speech at the secret session of th.e Reichstag, which was published in a Polish newspaper. The

deputy (AI. Tronpcznski) asserted that Poles were being deported like the Belgians. Since August 1 no fewer than 25,0U0 Poles had been working in Germany, enticed thither under contract, and then not allowed to return. Many had been forcibly transported to Germany. Their employers Were paying them what they pleased. Many Poles had been whipped until they signed renewals of their contracts. On the frontier sentries had shot several Poies attempting to escape.

The Daily Telegraph's Milan correspondent states that 1,600,000 Toles have been depoited and forced to work in German mines, agricultural areas, and munition factories. They are practically slaves. The men are paid 9d and the women 6d wherewith to feed and clothe themselves. If they refuse to work soldiers beat them, and they are frequently imprisoned on starvation rations until they submit. SHORTAGE OF FOOD. In the iiouse ot L'ouunoi.s _»ii F. D. Aeiand, Secretary to tlie i>oiirci of Agricuiture, siatecl tnat in tne interests of lood prouueuon cue Government was arranging 10 compuisorny take possession ot unoccupied uuid, and also to employ Uiereon uemian prisoners. It was also arranging wun tne \\ ar Office anci the Ministry oi Munit.ons tor tlie higimst possible retention ot agricultural laootir. .V committee, under JLord Selborne, would undertake the weliare ot Afr.can labour contingents in Europe. He stated til at some tuotisands had already reached the Continent. Mr Asquith denied that coloured labour was being introduced into England at piesent, but adeied that if that step were take-it it would not require a special statute. With a view to increasing the food supply, an Ordcr-in-Couneil empowers the Board ot Agriculture to cccupj unoccupied land without consent and otiicr laud oy consent for cultivation. Compensation is provided for in certain cases. A Hoard of Trade order limits the meals in public places and boarduig-houses to three courses in the evening and two courses for other meals, cheese not being reckoned, while meatless and iishlcss hors d'oeuvrcs, soup, and dessert are counted halt a course each. A further order is foreshadow d providing for meatless days universally.

Thj public welcome the Board of Trade's order regarding simpler meals at hotels and clubs, also the forthcoming order prohibiting eating meat, poultry, and game on certain days at home. An army order fixes the maximum charges for soldiers meals at hotels and restaurants as follows:—Luncheon 3s 6d; tea, Is 6d; dinner, 5s 6dj supper, 3s 6d (exclusive of drinks). The King and the Royal Household have observed two meatless days weekly for some time past. The National Labour Council passed a resolution that the Government should purchase all imported essential foodstuffs, and commandeer or control home products and all homo ships, placing the food on the retail markets at prices benefiting the consumer. It is understood that the British War Office, in order to relieve the shortage of potatoes, is . considering the question _of supplying cooked chestnuts to the soldiers in France. SHORTAGE IX GERMANY. The Prussian Diet discussed the food scarcity, and it was mentioned that geese are. selling at 15s each. Much suffering during the winter was forecasted. Further disclosures as to the food position were made in the Prussian Diet by the Socialist member, Herr Stroehel. In urging increased wages for minor State officials, he declared that the mass of the people were starving, especially the railway employees, whose wages are insufficient to buy even the allotted amount of food. Herr Stroehel condemned those making war profits, and said: " Shells are not the only things required; wo want food. If the' Finance Minister cannot increase wages, let him endeavour to shorten the war. We long for peace." An inspired article in the Berliner Tagcblatt argues that Herr Battocki's food dictatorship is a complete failure, as he is not compelling the agriculturists to surrender their produce. It advocates early legislation and the rationing of the whole Empire, both during and after war, inasmuch .as food difficulties will long outlast hostilities-. PEACE TALK. President Wilson, in the course of a speech, declared that the world's peace would come only with Liberty, and, with all duo respect for other forms of Government, he coulcl not believe that peace would come while the destinies of men were determined by small groups who made selfish choices. The newspapers give prominence to the speech, but describe it as cryptic. President Wilson does not share the apprehension of a fierce trade rivalry after the war, as he considers that, debt-burdened Europe will bo unable to menace the United States manufacturers. Diplomatic circles are stirred over President Wilson's cryptic liberty speech. They regard it as an expression of his personal sympathy with the cause of France and England ngainst Prussian autocracy. Teutonic officials are puzzled. -One said sarcastically that perhaps the President referred to Mr Asquith's associates on whom the responsibility for prolonging the war rests.

The Now York Times's Romp correspondent states that Cardinal Bourne has informed the Pope that the feeling in England is euch that it would-be useless to attempt a serious peace movement now. The Pope is therefore convinced that a movement by President Wilson and the Pope would be inadvisable at present. The Pacifist Conference at Merthyr Tydvil. claiming to represent 323.767 people, passed off peacefully. Mr Wedstono and Mr Ramsay Macdonald, M.P.. were among the speakers, and they recommended the Government to seek the earliest opportunity for promoting negotiations to secure a just, lasting, and honourable peace. They also denounced military compulsion as involving the interests of industrialism, and urged a return to the principle of voluntaryism. \t a mooting to consider lb" prevention of Hi" reenrrenee of war. Sir Goorsro Foster (Canadian Minister of Trade and Commerce) snirl that Britain would not consider any rii..-n-i.;|ini] for formulating the present eonflW or hrook interference until the objects of Iho war were attained. Other rpeakers d. pree-t'-d neutral peace suggestions as being impertinent. GERMANY'S MASS LEVY. The German Civilian:! Mobilisation Bill includes women.

There was a demonstration by servants and the wives of soldiers at Charlottenburg Town Hall. They protested against being forced to work in factories, and de- ; manded bread and peace. During the Reichstag debate on the German Mass Levy Bill Dr Helfferich stated ! that Germany's coal production sank by ,

niiy ua.it' ;■ r i ic beginning of the war, bik to-day it had risen to 00 per cent, of the peace production. The fctcel output had been reduced at least to one-third, but had now been raised to f" •■• ■■• rent, of the pence production. "English ceal industry," added Dr ILsfYPiie... ,>as u.v.ay.i be n greater than ours,

and its output excelled in 1916 the peacetime figures, but her steel output has decreased considerably." The first fruits of the German mass levy

I are seen in regulations requiring all men I of military age employed in clerical, messenger, and smaller duties to join the army. I Women and older men will replace them.

MORE MEN WANTED. Official: The Admiralty, Ministry of Munitions, and Army Council have agreed to secure the early calling to the colours of men up to the ago of 31, and of all fit semi-skilled and unskilled men whose release from controlled and Government establishments will not interfere with the output of munitions. COPPER BECOMING SCARCE. The Minister of Munitions prohibits the use of copper in manufactures, also the sale or purchase of copper outside the United Kingdom. lie requires manufacturers to deliver returns of stocks of unwrought copper.

HONOURS FOR NEW ZEALANDERS

Military Crosses have been awarded to the following- New Zealanders: —Captains WILLIAM JOHNSTON and NORMAN PRIOR (the latter went over a parapet and dressed wounded men under intense fire) ; the Rev. RICHARDS, for tending wounded men for two days under heavy fire: Lieutenants AVERY. BONGARD, GALLOWAY, lIALLY, HARGEST, and MAWSON. Distinguished Conduct Medals for New Zealanders: —Sergeant-major RIDDETT, Corporal SCARFE, Privates BAR. A. SMITH, and Gunner SYME. The _ lastnamed rescued a gunner when pinned under the debris of a burning gun pit. Sergeant-major William Frost, late of the New Zealand Infantry, has been awarded the French Croix do Guerre, while 140 New Zealanders have been awarded the Military Medal. WITH Till: NEW ZEALANDERS. Winter conditions have prevailed for some time, and there- lias been practically no fighting in our sector. The monotony is varied by occasional trench raids. Recently patrols killed a German sentry in front of the line and .some others who attempted to take refuge in a deep dugout with a steel door. In places the enemy trenches were found waterlogged-. Every provision for the comfort and entertainment of the men has been made. including concerts, lectures, band performances, and football contests. Behind the lines training goes steadily on. FINANCE. In the House of Commons, Mr M'Kenna (Chancellor of the Exchequer) announced that a 6 per cent, loan of 100,000,000 yen (about £10,000,000) had been arranged with the Japanese banks in Japan, and the proceeds would be immediately available in America.

• Router's Agency has been informed that the British loan in Japan has been fully subscribed, the lists having to be closed on December 3 instead of December 12.

The Japanese Vice-consul at Sydney gave an address, in which lie detailed Japan's part in th.c war. She had given military, naval, munitional, and financial aid. l3he captured Tsingtao, policed the Eastern seas, guarded the ocean routes from Hongkong to Vancouver and Singapore, to Suez and Zanzibar.

The Japanese Government and private arsenals since the beginning of the war have worked incessantly providing munitions.

The financial assistance consisted of investing £12.000,000 in British Treasury bonds and £5 : O00,C0O each in Russian and French bonds. GENERAL ITEMS. His Majesty the King has invested Sir John Jellicoe with the Order of Merit. The House of Commons passed the amended Pensions Bill. A supplementary credit of £400,000,000 was passed by Parliament on the 6tb. Having seized all the copper in Belgium the Germans have requisitioned 850,000 kilos of zinc from the Prayon (? Crayonne) and Vielle Montague factories. It is expected that Jesse Willard will fight Georges Carpentier in New York shortly in the interest of the Allies' War Relief Fund. Le Matin states that the Grand Duke Charles Stephen will be proclaimed King of Poland, taking the title of Stephen 11. Owing to ill-health and strain. Mr Page, American Ambassador to England, has resigned. The captain of the Emden and other German prisoners have been transferred to Switzerland.

A Paris official report states: The battleship Snfren kit on November 24 for the East, and has not arrived. It is feared that she is a total loss-

The 'Duke of Connaught opened the Victoria League Club for oversea soldiers, in Dover street. He eulogised the wovk of giving comfort to oversea troops and preventing imposition.

Heir Harden, in Die Zukunft, states that Heir von Jagow left the Foreign Office because he disapproved of Germany's submarine policy and the deportation of Belgians and French. Mis Lloyd George appeals on behalf of the British and Foreign Saildrs' Society, which is interested in the welfare of aged mothers, widows, and orphans of our heroic seamen.

It fo reported that Germany has completed a commercial agreement with Holland, its terms being greatly to tin; disadvantage of the latter. Germany now requests the partial use of the River Scheldt. Canada lias been deeply impressed by the publication of Canadian casualties, totalling over 65.000. The figures are unquestionably strengthening the conscription movement.

The total enlistments in Canada during the last six months were 1300 below the casualties for November, though the casualties were the smallest since May. The November enlistments were by 5000 the smallest for any month since the war began.

The New Zealand War Contingent Association is striking a medal as a Christmas present for the officers and men of the battleship New Zealand, in commemoration of the battle of Jutland.

Official: An explosion occurred at a national factory in tlio North of England on the night of the sth; when 26 women workers were killed and 30 were injured. The damage done was slight. Baron von Soden, Bavarian Minister of the Interior, and von Krcssonstein, Bavarian War Minister, have resinned. They are both victims of Ihe Hindenburg regime.

The South Wales miners have rejected the federation's recommendations for minimising ahscnteeis.ii, and have decided not to establish absentee committees.. The Northumberland miners voted in favour of fininc absentees.

Mr Frederick Coudert, an eminent American barrist t, who was recently at. the front, sav; that after the war Groat Britain will have the largest and best-equipped army

in Europe, and next spring her output of munitions will be quadrupled. Queen Mary has. resigned us patroness of the National Council of Women. Her Majesty intimates that her infer..'fit is undiminished, but she abstains from interference in public matters. The council has enlarged its scope, and is considering liquor prohibition and the extension of the franchise.

A wireless message from Paris states that the Gazctto of Lausanne (Switzerland) publishes a detailed narrative of a careful

but futile attempt to induce French Mussulman prisoners in the Miossen camp to join. the Sultan of Turkey, with a view to fomenting a revolt in Northern Africa. Several Arab chiefs were thereupon scattered throughout Germany and harsbiy treated. The British Embassy has announced that Great Britain is unable to guarantee bunker coal at a British port for any vessel not utilising it for the benefit of the Allies. Officials believe that this will seriously embarrass American trade, owing to the many

essential coaling stations owned by Groat Britain. The Premier of Portugal announced that 2000 Gormans and Askaris, with guns of various calibres, attacked Newelk, near the Mozambique frontier. There was a 12 hours’ battle, followed by a 12 days’ siege. Finally, the garrison succeeded in retiring at night time on November 28. The Government after January will take over all patent-still whisky made in Scotland, and only 70 per cent, of the present consumption will be allowed to be distilled by the malt distillers. The total prohibition of whisky not suggested, as the spirit is the best-known substitute for making nigh explosives. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. The Director-general of Recruiting, in order to avoid party discord, has decided to exclude all Federal and State members of Parliament from taking part in the new campaign for reinforcements. Mr Hughes announces that stops have been taken to increase the output of ammunition for rifles and largo ordnance. Ho promised consideration of a request to pass regulations under the War Precautions Act to declare the I.W.W. an illegal organisation. The Commonwealth Senate debated a motion to abolish the regulation requiring the submission to the censor of all matter relating to the war before publication. Senator Pearce, Minister of Defence, said ho had proof that German agents were not without friends in the Australian Parliaments. The motion was carried by 17 votes to 14. CONSCRIPTING WEALTH. The Federal Treasurer has announced a reduction of the war-time profits tax. The Government has decided to limit the tax to 50 per cent, of the war profits over the permitted percentages for the first year of the war, and 75 per cent, on the second year. Mining companies and fruit-growing concerns are exempt. The Treasurer also outlined a new scheme of wealth conscription for repatriation purposes, whereby an annual-pay-ment' of 6s per cent, of the wealth per year must bo made for five years. The income tax is increased to 25 per cent. The entertainments tax will bo levied on tickets over 6d. The Treasurer estimates that thp war profits tax for the first year will produce £6OO 000, the repatriation tax £1.835,000 per annum, and the entertainments tax £700,000. The exemptions on incomes over £SOO will disappear, but £26 will be allowed for each child under 16. The exemption will be reduced to £IOO for unmarried persons without dependents.