Ypres British Settlement
166
THE YPRES TIMES
Legal Status Bill Passed by the Belgian Chamber.
THE Committee of the Ypres British Settlement Fund desire that the fullest
publicity should be given to this gracious act of the Belgian Chamber.
To put it briefly, this Bill exempts the British Settlement Buildings at
Ypres from all succession duties in perpetuity.
During the passage of the Bill through the Belgian Chamber, M. Janson, in
introducing the Bill, said that it had been brought in "In remembrance of what
we owe to the British nation and in homage to the spirit that inspired the erection
of these establishments in the Ypres district."
The President, M. Poucelet said they wished, thereby, to salute the memory
of those thousands of soldiers who came from England to fight at the side of our
own for a common cause, and who fell victims of their duty and courage."
The President's words were greeted with general applause, and while the
speech was delivered, the President and all the deputies stood up.
The Bill was passed by a unanimous vote.
No more considerate act, no clearer sign of goodwill from our old friends
and allies could be imagined.
As The Times, in its leading article of January 30th, says, there is "an easy
way of expressing our appreciation of the Belgians' graciousness. Since they are
granting civil status to the British Settlement, it is only proper that we, for our
part, should give that Settlement the independence which befits that status."
There is a large debt on the buildings not paid off, and there is need of an
Endowment Fund.
W. P. Pulteney, Lieutenant-General
FIELD-MARSHAL VISCOUNT PLUMER will broadcast an appeal on Easter
Sunday, April 5th, at 8.45 p.m., for funds for the Ypres British Settlement,
to pay off the building debt of eight hundred pounds, and to endeavour to
raise an Endowment Fund for maintenance purposes. It is hoped that all mem
bers of the Ypres League will do their utmost to further this excellent object.
