ODD CONTRAST

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 23013, 3 October 1944, Page 5

ODD CONTRAST

Conditions In Germany And Belgium

(Rec. 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 2. There is an odd contrast between the strict and just military government .imposed in captured German towns by the American First Army and the somewhat chaotic conditions prevailing across the border, where the liberated Belgians are carrying political and personal revenge to ominous lengths, reports the correspondent of the “New York Times” at Roetgen, Germany. There has not been a single serious infraction of the First Army’s ordinances since it entered Germany a fortnight ago. A curfew has been imposed and all cameras, binoculars and firearms collected. The inhabitants are forbidden to travel from one village to another. Colonel A. K. Billings heads the temporary military government, which will eventually be replaced by a permanent Allied military Government. Colonel Billings has installed

Ludvig Barth as temporary burgomaster. Barth was one of the two Nazi officials who stayed behind when the German Army withdrew, and is believed to be still pro-Nazi. Colonel Billings said that Barth, who had done everything the Americans asked, will be replaced by the Allied military government. Nazi or suspected Nazi officials are being utilised solely to speed up ' local organisation. The smoothly functioning military government here contrasts with the situation in Belgian towns like Nverviers, Spa and Liege, where those in authority are imprisoning suspected collaborationists without explanation and conducting searches without warrants. It is clear that there is a good deal of personal revenge mixed in the honest feeling against collaborators, and there is no government in this part of Belgium strong enough to deal with the situation.