THE MONS COALFIELD

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 137, 5 March 1919, Page 5

THE MONS COALFIELD

GERMAN VANDALISM.

Information has been received in official circles in London concerning the mines in the Mons-Charlerof coalfield, which was recently cleared of the enemyThe Germans had made systematic preparations for destruction on an extensive scale. At many of the pits they had placed in .position heavy charges of explosives ready for a great upheaval. But at the last minute, under fear of reprisal, their nerve failed them, and they drew the charges ai:d abstained from blowing up the mines. But Germans, true to type, did not leave the mines altogether scathless. Many of the mines they had kept going throughout the wor to supply their own needs. Prom others- they removed essential parts from the engine?, pumps, and winding gear, which they stolo for theii own purposes. These depredations will delay coal extraction from the mines affected. It is obvious that in the most favourable circumstances the Belgian coal mines cannot for a long time produce their normal output, and furnish the winter supplies of coal so urgently required in France, which must continue to draw upon British stocks. While tho output of the Belgian mines may within a reasonable time be on a scale sufficient to supply the restricted needs of the country, great transport difficulties hove to be. overcome. The Germans have blown up railway bridges wholesale, and, contrary to the terms of armistice on many lines used l)v .them in retreat, have deliberately wrecked the permanent way. Canal looks have been blown up and barges destroyed or taken away, paralysing for the time being the inland waterways uiion which Belgian transport so greatly denends. At the moment there is a serious coal shortage in Western Planders, and from several towns, notably from Ghent, there is a largo demand for supplies of British coal.