Heinz Neumann

Politics

Belgian Social Democrats Support
Occupation of the Ruhr Valley

(January 1923)


From International Press Correspondence, Vol. 3 No. 10, 25 January 1923, pp. 77–78.
From International Press Correspondence (weekly), Vol. 3 No. 3, 26 January 1923, pp. 37–38.
Transcribed & marked up by Einde O’Callaghan for the Marxists’ Internet Archive.
Public Domain: Marxists Internet Archive (2021). You may freely copy, distribute, display and perform this work; as well as make derivative and commercial works. Please credit “Marxists Internet Archive” as your source.


On Wednesday, January 10, the Foreign Committee of the Belgian clumber pronounced its attitude with regard to the invasion of the Ruhr valley. Vandervelde, in the course of his great speech, spoke to the following effect:

“We are unanimously agreed that our claims against Germany are sacred, as are those of France and Italy, and they must be paid – France has given her blood. There is no responsibility so great as that failing upon the German government. Germany’s great industries remain a permanent threat against peace.”

At the general council of the social democratic party of Belgium, held the following day, a resolution was passed, with only 3 dissenting votes and one withholding, condemning military measures for the purpose of “collecting effectual reparations”, and recommending an arbitration award of the League of Nations, but stating in the first paragraph: “The General Council holds it to be just and necessary that Germany make reparation for the damage site has caused.”

The passing of this resolution was preceded by a two days’ discussion, in which about the highest point of social treason and rabid chauvinism which has been possible since 1914 was attained.

The well known party leader Louis Pierad declared: “A part of our party notes with regret that the German socialists have done little or nothing to oblige their capitalists to pay the reparations to Belgium and France.”

The social democrat Georges Hubin declared:

“I am in agreement with the speech of Vandervelde and with the chamber. I regret that the Vorwärts has advised the workers of the Ruhr valley to take part in a (half hour’s! Ed.) protest strike. The German social democrats, who have done nothing to prevent the proletariat from enriching Stinnes and his like, recommend the general strike as soon as it is a question of working for the reparations. Germany is to blame for the world war. Germany added crime upon crime for four years. Now we demand reparation. We need reparation. Socialism is not merely peace, it is also justice.”

The well known socialist leader Louis de Brouckere paid his German brothers of the 2. international the following compliment: “In 1914 the German social democrats did not oppose the German invasion of Belgium. They did not prevent the attack, and the name of Scheidemann is disgraced for all time.” (Enthusiastic applause)

The social democrat Leo Colleaux found Vandervelde’s resolution still too weak, “because it throws some blame on France.”

“I do not believe in war, we only seed to use force to oblige Germany to fulfil her obligations. I am a pacifist, I am an opponent of war, but if it has to come, then I want us to be Victorious!”

René Branquart:

“If the occupation of the Ruhr valley can really bring us anything, I am ready to endorse this step. When I remember the German atrocities, the deportations, the sufferings of our population, I have not the courage to say that we should not enter the Ruhr for fear of adding to the cares of the Boches.” (Prolonged applause)

Joseph Bologne:

“Poincaré is undoubtedly pursuing a policy of adventure, but I have great faith in the healthy common sense of the French people. We are afraid that Germany escapes punishment. I declare that if the policy of force cannot bring us anything today, it is because it comes too late. Unfortunately the Germans have learnt nothing from events. We must not forget that the reparations benefit the lesser classes as well.”

The famous old social democrat Destrée, until recently a Belgian minister, declared:

“The whole world recognizes that the reparations are justice (!). Essen has been occupied without the slightest incident What could Belgium do after France had resolved on the occupation? I am of the opinion that our government acted sensibly, in joining France. We must not renounce our advantages. This is the feeling of the people. The policy of force is said to be unfruitful But Belgium has already received 4.4 milliards of francs from Germany. The occupation has only cost Belgium 700 millions. Our policy has thus been right.”

This is the voice of Belgian social democracy in face of the impending danger of war. And these Poincaré socialists form the second strongest party of the 2. International, they form the brother party of German social democracy.


Last updated on 2 May 2021