THE ENEMY'S PLANS FOR BELGIUM

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2932, 18 November 1916, Page 9

THE ENEMY'S PLANS FOR BELGIUM

" A NOMINAL INDEPENDENCY " UNDER A GERMAN PRINCE WITH TWO GERMAN NAVAL • BASES A-ustraiian-New Zealand Cable Association. London, November 16. < A wireless message from Berne states that despite the secrecy: of the-proceed-ings at the Reichstag Committee it is reported that there was' considerable discussion during the proceedings. The Chancellor (Herr von Bethmann-Holl-wcg) did not commit the Government to a definite policy regarding Belgium, but outlined the details of a possiblo settlement. "Belgium must ho nominally hide-, pendent, but must remain a German dependency. "King Albert must he deposed as being an implacable enemy—ho would be perpetually a menace; and if tho Belgians desire a King, he must bo a. German prince." Other conditions included: A perpetual offensive and defensivo Belgian-German Alliance; Tho maintenance of the Belgian army at a specified strength; A permanent German Military Commission in .Brussels; A commercial treaty in accordance with Germany dictates. The lease of two ports as German naval bases. Several speakers v demanded the retention of Belgium.as part of the German Empire, but none of thejn mentioned the possibility of. being driven out of Belgium. . THE "AUTONOMY" OF POLAND RUSSIA'S PROTEST. (Router's Telesram.) PBtrograd, November 16. Russia has protested that the Aus-. ti'O-German proclamation regarding the autonomy of Poland violates the international convention signed by the Central Powers, and is therefore null and void. Russia reaffirms, her declaration that Poland is still -part or Russia. ATTITUDE OF THE VATICAN (Rec. November. 18, 0.30 a.m.) Rome," November 17. The "Ageneie Nazionale" states that the 'ilolv See officially is taking no notice of tho Polish proclamation, regarding it as an internal measure not affecting the Vatican.