PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATION

From Our Special Correspondent. Brussels, Sunday. Although prepared within the space of only a week, the demonstration of the League of Patriots, organised for the purpose of expressing Belgium’s firm decision to obtain a peace guaranteeing her independence and restoration, was a most imposing affair. The procession was formed between the Porte Louise and Porte de Hal, where the different groups began arriving at 9.30 this morning. For a whole hour the delegations were taking their places. They were accompanied by bands, and carried flags and banners inscribed with the claims and aspirations of the country. Numerous, and representing all classes, these delegations were typical of the Belgium of yesterday and to-day. There were old soldiers of 1870, who guarded the frontiers and received with such kindness the French prisoners and wounded of that day, and civilian prisoners of the present war. The latter numbered several hundreds of men and women, youths and girls. There were representatives of the destroyed towns, recalling the martyrdom of the populations of Dinant, Louvain, Tamines; representatives of the little villages which were burnt and sacked and had their people shot and tortured – Musey-la-ville, Tintignies, Ethé, Eppeghem, Weerde, Sempst, Rossignol, Labour. There were other groups of students and boy Scouts, who will make the Belgium of to-morrow. Representatives of the middle and working classes were very numerous; those of high society few. It was ravaged, ruined, annihilated Belgium that was protesting, and by a curious coincidence all these sad, disillusioned people were swarming close to the Place Poelaert, where, in 1905, rich and happy Belgium solemnly celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversary of her independence.