A BELGIAN PROTEST.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1917, Page 4

A BELGIAN PROTEST.

GERMANY’S CYNICAL VIOLATION OF PROMISE.

It is stated from a Belgian official source that the 'Belgian Government some time ago addressed an energetic protest to all Allied and neutral Powers signatories of the Hague Convention against the administrative separation of Belgium into Flemish and Walloon regiors. ' This measure had no other justification than the desire of Germany to break Belgium’s national unity. It placed the civil, servants in the cruel position either of exposing themselves to German prosecution or of aiding an anti-patriotic manoeuvre. Many, choosing the first alternative, sent in their resignations, and were, of course, arrested and deported. This treatment of the Belgian civil servants is the more revolting in that, when asked to continue their services under German control, these officials had signed a form including a promise not to harm German interests provided the provisions of the Hague Convention were observed, which implied the right to resign in case of such a violation. The same right - was guaranteed to all State employees by Director Yon Sandt, with von Bissing’s consent, in a note dated Jan nary 4th, 1915, which emphatically declared that no harm would comfc ‘to those who should prefer to resign even after signing the form. Not content with breaking international law, Germany also breaks rules framed by herself even since the beginning of the war, and to-day cynically denies a right which she emphatically and repeatedly acknowledged yesterday.