BELGIUM’S ‘DEAD’ CAPITAL

Southland Times, Issue 24233, 17 September 1940, Page 6

BELGIUM’S ‘DEAD’ CAPITAL

LACK OF TRANSPORT AND MATERIALS

UNDERGROUND POLITICAL ACTIVITY LONDON, August 15. Belgians who were in Brussels during the first weeks of the German occupation, and have since succeeded in escaping to neutral countries, state that: the absence of transport and raw materials prevents any return to normal economic life in Belgium and Northern France.

Hundreds of bridges have disappeared, and the wooden structures which have taken their places are not strong enough to bear trains or motorcars, except at a snail’s, pace. Traffic on the canals is also painfully slow on account ,of the obstructionscaused by debris from wrecked bridges, and many railway and canal routes are entirely unusable. -

Brussels, formerly-so lively and gay, has become a dead city, according to these informants. Tram-cars do not run after 9.30 p.m., and few cars are to be seen as the military authorities have requisitioned many, and petrol is difficult to get. Motor-lorries no longer of use for the army have been resold by the Germans to commercial and industrial firms, who use them for goods transport.

FOOD SEVERELY RATIONED Food has been severely rationed and there is destitution everywhere. Anyone who has cash available buys articles of prime necessity whenever he has the chance. Most of the cafes are open, but when Germans enter the Belgian customers fall silent and soon begin to leave, one by one, without waiting to finish their drinks. It is evident, however, that the Germans have received instructions to show politeness and even kindness on every occasion. With an ostentation which makes the Belgians laugh, the Germans give up their seats in the tram-cars to old or infirm passengers, and in the streets they are to be seen giving cigarettes to beggars. Occasionally the German authorities announce that they have arrested a German soldier who failed to show respect to civilians, and the guilty man is paraded through the streets with manacled: Wrists.

THE HATED INVADER When the German troops pass by the Belgian public look the other way. There was a great military review in Brussels, outside the Royal Palace, some days after the Belgian Fete Nationale, but few Belgians turned out for it. In spite of the hatred felt toward the invader, however, the Belgians will need even more courage than in the last war if they are to preserve their faith and hope. They are finding it. hard to explain the swift' defeat of their army and especially to account for the catastrophic collapse of France. They are so distrustful of German propaganda that they suspend judgment on a great number of questions, but the fact that King Leopold 111, in retirement in his chateau at Laeken, near Brussels, regards himself as a prisoner, and does not treat with the invader, supports their morale.

The German propagandists try to console the working classes by declaring that all employers, whether they have raw materials and orders or not, are bound to find work for at least three-quarters of their pre-war employees. A less skilful policy is followed with the farming community, who see even more clearly than the industrial workers that the Germans will bring them nothing but ruin. The industrialists and financiers are courted in a thousand ways. Several Brussels theatres have reopened and turned themselves into music-halls. They are frequented onh by Germans and the less desirable elements among the city 'population. Honest citizens meet in little groups behind friendly doors, and it is already clear that intellectual as well as political activity will be carried on underground. So far, however, Belgians are still able to speak frankly among themselves, as there are few traitors.