RELIEF OF THE BELGIANS.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2407, 12 March 1915, Page 7

RELIEF OF THE BELGIANS.

Sir, —Although it is far from me to deprecate, the feeling and practice of charity towards the unfortunate Belgians to whom we owe so much, yet I think we should not allow our Generous instincts to run away with all discretion' aud blind us to the ultimate effect of undertaking the support of the Belgian people, in Belgium, whilst it is in the occupation of our enemies, the Germans, who tax them for the support of their army. It certainly seems to me that the position taken' up by the British Government in the matter is the correct one, and I think it must apply to any other body—that if without any conditions we continue to Bupport the population of the country occupied and taxed by the enemy, it is simply assisting them. If. that is so; it is helping tliem to continue the war and the slaughter of more human beings. As long as the Germans continue to use their power to tax the Belgians for the support of their army my assistance • given to the Belgian people, in Belgium must directly or indirectly assist the Germans. Will not "kultiired" Germans chuckle to think how effete and sentimental the British publio. must. be, and will continue to wring from the retched people funds for their own use instead of to the support of the destitute inhabitants whom they have ruined? Our first duty is to defeat the Germans and drive them out of Belgium, then indeed we shall bo called upon to resuscitate them in their ruiiigd homes. I have given to all previous appeals, but the foregoing reasons have deterred me from giving to this. I know there are others, otherwise. not shirkers, who are of the same opinion. Are we wrong?—l am, etc., W. J. BIRCH. Marton, March 10.