THE SLAVE RAIDS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 885, 11 December 1916, Page 8

THE SLAVE RAIDS.

BELGIAN DEPORTATIONS. PROTEST BY AMERICA. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. WASHINGTON, December 8. The text of America's protest against the deportations of Belgians] is as follows:—"The Government of! the United States has learned with the greatest concern and regret the I policy of the German Government! of deporting from Belgium a portion j of the civilian population, with the j purpose of forcing them to labour in I Germany. The UnittJ States is con-j strained to protest in a friendly j spirit, but most solemnly, against ani action which is in contravention of j all precedents and principles of the international practice of civilised nations in the treatment of non-com-batants in conquered territory; furthermore, the Government is convinced that the effect of the policy, if pursued, will in all probability be fatal to Belgian relief work, which is to be generally deplored, and which assuredly will seriously embarrass the German Government." IN NORTHERN FRANCE. THOUSANDS OF VICTIMS. "The Times" Service. AMSTERDAM, December 8. The Germans are resuming deportations in North France. Six thousand men were sent in cattle trucks from Lille, Roubaix, Turcoing, and Cambrai to Dusseldorf and Essen. There have also been deportations from the Namur province of Belgium. POLES IN BONDAGE. BRUTAL TREATMENT. Australian and y.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, December 8. The Milan correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says that 100,000 Poles have been deported and forced i to work in German mines, agricultural areas, and munition factories. '■ They are practically slaves. The j men are paid f)d and the women Od.' wherewith they have to f™d and! clothe themselves. If they . 'use to work soldiers beat them, and they are frequently imprisoned on starvation rations until they submit. SOCIALIST CONFERENCE. A SOP TO NEUTRALS. "The Times" Service. LONDON, December 10. German and Dutch Socialist delegates met at The Hague on December 7, and discussed the Belgian de- j portations. The Germans, affecting condemnation of the system, promised to endeavour to secure the re-1 patriation of the deportees. The visit is regarded as a German sop to neutrals, as it was impossible j to undertake the mission without the permission of the Government.