CONDITIONS IN BELGIUM.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15041, 8 April 1919, Page 5

CONDITIONS IN BELGIUM.

A GLOOMY OUTLOOK.

COUNTRY MARCHING TO DISASTER.

(Australian and N.Z.^Cable Associatiouj

~m \r .j ■;■■.■■ Pans > April 6. - M. Vanderyelde, Belgian Minister ■tor Justice, informed ..the press that the position of Belgium was of the gloomiest description-. The country was marching to disaster, and unless assistance was promptly giyen, owing to the laclc^of raw materials, 750,000 people would^be without employment. Some js millions were relying on the State tor the bare necessaries of life providing a rich soil for the spread of Bolshevism. Belgium desiredthe Allies to immediately guarantee £400,000,000 pending Germany's reparation. With' such a. credit the country could obtain raw materials and machinery to resume industry. The King's visit was made m order to emphasise the matter to the. Peace Conference. Although he met with the utmost"sympathy he did not receive a definite promise of immediate assistance. The Allies must give a solemn promise in the matter of reparation. - ■ ■