As an example of the conseamences_ of Mr. scheme T will take one ease with which T am acquainted. It is that of a dealer in ald hooks, who established himself in Brussels a year or two before the war. He soon built un a good business. and in Ancust 1914 he had about £10,000 worth of stock in his offices, in addition to his house-furniture and effects. The invasion compelled him to beat a precipitate retreat with what he could carry and such money as he could withdraw from his bank. Ever since he has been ching out a precarious existence in Paris, in the hope that some day he would obtain at any rate such compensation as would give him a chance to start in business again. He now finds that his rights are appropriated by his own Government, who will graciously hand him, out of its great charity, about five shillings. He would much rather have his books (which are worth four or five times as much as in 1914) instead of money, but what chance has he of getting them? The German collectors who "acquired" them are not at all likely to give them up. He says, bitterly, that he wishes he were a Frenchman ora Belgian.
The attitude of the Belgian Government towards its nationals is entirely different to that of England. This Government, after checking all claims very carefully, advanced 70 per cent. of the amount, and also allowed for the increase in the value of buildings, machinery and stock of various inds. This is one of the reasons why Belgium has been able to get on her feet so quickly. The French Government has helped manufacturers and traders by supplying machinery recognized as indispensable for resuming production. Only the Briton is left out in the cold.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.