THE MAILED FIST IN BELGIUM

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2578, 28 September 1915, Page 5

THE MAILED FIST IN BELGIUM

. TYRANNY AND ESPIONAGE . GERMAN OFFICERS AND MEW . DESERTING By Telegraph—Press Association—Conyrislil ("Times" and' Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, September 26.. A correspondent at Eosendaal (Holland) says' that people who have arrived from Brussels state that the Germans rule. Belgium with, a rod of iron. Espionage is rampant; nobody is safe from denunciation.. •■'. ... The Germans are depressed; officers as well as men are deserting. , Niia officers left a residence in mufti, leaving a _note' behind • stating ■ ! thatv i .\they were sick.of the war, and did not,care what became of Germany/ Thousands of troops are coming to Wavre, Overyssche, and Louvain, apparently exhausted. LILLE UNDER THE SCREW HUNS EXTORT HUGE SUMS... (Rec. September 27, 6.15'.p.m.) ; : Amsterdam, September 26.: ■ Owing to the Lille factories refusing to supply the-Germans with sandb.igs, .'the. Mayor was'notified that the equivalent, quantity of bags would be manufactured in ; Germany and V:would";', be -used at the city's cost. Fifteen thousand pounds -was deducted from the oivio fund. ' Thi> Treasury was forced ito pay also an additional £1,240,000 in war taxes, which was' demanded. Pending the payment the' Germans, placed seals oil the banks and strong rooms of individuals as a guarantee that the securities would not be removed. T!ie authorities ■ insisted' that the city ■would not meet such huge sums, and the Huns thereupon agreed to compromise,: and accept £640,000, with a penalty of £4000 daily until the amount! was paid. ..• :