BRITISH CITIZENS
Early in February, 1915, my wife and I went to Antwerp, and called at
the Central Office for the issuing of safe-conducts (passports). We
submitted to the two officers in charge our request to be authorized to
leave Belgium.
“Where do you wish to go?” inquired one of the officers.
“To Holland,” I replied.
“For what purpose?”
“In order to embark for America.”
“Why go to America?”
“Because I wish to return home to Canada, where I reside.”
“Then you are British subjects?”
“Yes.”
The officer appeared surprised. He turned to his comrade, and then
looked at us, my wife and I, from head to foot.
“You are British subjects?” he repeated.
“You are right.”
“How long have you been in Belgium?”
“I came to Belgium before your arrival–that is to say, in July,” I
replied.
“What are you doing here?” he inquired.
A colloquy between the two officers and ourselves followed for a few
minutes, during which it was easily explained that my presence in
Belgium had nothing mysterious about it, even from a German viewpoint.
Apparently convinced that he was not in the presence of a spy employed
by the British Government, the first officer confessed that he could
see no serious objection to the issue of a permit for our leaving
Belgium, but he said that insofar as British subjects were concerned
explicit instructions had been given, and he could not then give us the
passport we requested without being first authorized to do so by the
chief of the military police, Major Von Wilm. He advised us to see the
major, and we proceeded to carry out the advice. On our way to the
major’s office I remarked to my wife that it was quite possible I might
never come out of this office, once inside. We went on, however. Major
Von Wilm received us courteously, and listened attentively to our story.
He, too, was convinced, apparently, at least, that I was not a spy.
He did not anticipate any obstacle to the issuing of a passport, but
he said he would have to talk the matter over first with the governor
of the fortress. He advised us to return to Capellen and await
instructions.
A few days afterwards we received a letter from the major. It read as
follows:
Antwerp, Feb. 8, 1915.
Mr. and Mrs. Beland,
Starenhof,
Capellen.
Sir and Madam:–
Regarding our conversation of a few days ago, I have the
honor to inform you that a safe-conduct will be granted to
you on two conditions. The first is that Mr. Beland will
formally undertake never to bear arms against Germany during
the continuance of the war, and second, that all properties
belonging to you in the occupied territory of Belgium shall be
subjected, after your departure, to a tenfold taxation.
(Signed) Von Wilm.
It then remained for us to decide what to do. I deemed it advisable to
return to Antwerp and discuss at greater length with Major Von Wilm,
particularly the question of the tenfold taxation. After a prolonged
conversation with him, and after receiving renewed assurances that
I might remain in the occupied territory without fear of annoyance,
molestation, or imprisonment on account of my profession and medical
services I was rendering the population, we decided to remain without
further protest until the month of April. By this time the taxes would
be paid. In the meantime this high German official, who conducted
important functions in the Province of Antwerp, pledged himself to
discuss with the German financial authorities at Brussels the question
whether the onerous conditions of a tenfold taxation upon all the
properties we owned in Belgium might not be removed. The ordinary taxes
were duly paid in April, and I again visited the major at Antwerp,
urging him to enter into negotiations with the German financial
authorities on the question already alluded to.
Once more he promised to take the matter into consideration as soon
as his occupations would allow him; once more he assured me of proper
protection, and told me I might continue in perfect security. There
could be no question at all of my being interned, he said, and as to
the question of taxes, he had no doubt whatever that the matter would
be settled to my entire satisfaction.
[Illustration: GROUP OF GERMAN OFFICERS AT ANTWERP
Cross indicates Von Wilm who was instrumental in the arrest and
internment of Dr. Beland]