Duty—and Safety
A large number of the Belgians are said to have been in German pay, and their support contributed to put the country helpless under German power. Does this cartoon show Belgians of that class, or only the ordinary selfish and pleasure-seeking element of society, too weak to be even worth purchase by the enemy? The scene is a café at The Hague. In the background the band is making music with all its heart and all its power. Two Belgians going out enveloped in greatcoats with capes to face the stormy weather stop for a moment to speak to an acquaintance, one of a party who are enjoying themselves at ease. They are joining the army.
The party is evidently not interested in such a trifle as their country and its fate: they are well out of Belgium, which must be an uncomfortable place to live in at present, and they are not going back till Belgium is a fit home for the butterflies of fashion. The fifth of the party, down in the right-hand corner, has the vacuous face of an imbecile. Two of the others wear a foolish grin, as the word passes between one of them, a lady, and the more capable-looking man seated next her: “Fancy, they’re off to fight.” What fools to think of duty and country, when it means leaving comfort and the life of society, and facing the storm, with the risk of death!
WILLIAM MITCHELL RAMSAY
AT THE HAGUE
“Fancy, they’re off to fight!”
Many Belgians live at ease in Holland.