Belgian Forests Sacrificed.

Progress, Volume XIV, Issue 10, 1 June 1919, Page 527

Belgian Forests Sacrificed.

Reports from all parts of Belgium tell of the reckless -destruction of public and private woodlands by the Germans during their occupation of that unfortunate country. Whole forests have been destroyed in the Ardennes region, while in the less luxuriant northern provinces even the roadsideshade trees any! those 'bordering canals have been cut down. This damage is distinct from that inflicted by shell fire and incendiarism and for reasons of military strategy. It was part of Germany’s systematic raid on the economic resources of the sturdy little nation, having the object of eliminating industrial competition after the proclamation of peace. The forest industry is an important factor in Belgian acivity. In this, the most densely populated European country, the total wooded area prior to the war was estimated at 1,300,000 Acres, equal to 17 per cent, of the entire territorial area. The U.S. Shipping Board has decided to cancel all outstanding contracts for wooden ships where the builders-have not spent -more than £40,000 on a ship. „ •, .