Office of the Historian

No. 45.
Mr. Wilson to Mr. Evarts.

Legation of the United States,
Brussels, April 15, 1878. (Received April 29.)
No. 9.]

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that, in consequence of the threatening aspect of the Eastern question and its possible results to Belgium, the minister has asked for a special credit of 10,500,000 francs, to be appropriated to the better defense of the country in the manner described in the inclosed paper.

After an exhaustive examination of the subject, the chamber of representatives, on the 28th of last month, by a large majority, voted this credit, 7,500,000 francs of which are to be raised by an emission of treasury bonds payable in five years from date.

The bill was then sent to the senate, and I have now before me the report of the senate committee unanimously approving of the measure, and prefacing their report with the following language:

[Translation.]

In presence of the conflagration with which Europe is menaced, Belgium may at any moment be compelled to resort to arms in order to secure respect for her territory. It is therefore necessary for her to assure herself of the means of defense recognized as necessary to guarantee her neutrality.

The two new forts for which the appropriation of 3,000,000 francs is asked, are intended as the first of a new line of outlying detached forts for the better protection of Antwerp, already regarded as one of the most strongly fortified cities of the continent.

I have, &c.,

JNO. WILSON.
[Page 56]
[Inclosure in No. 9.]

Special appropriations for War Department of Belgium, 1878.

report.

Francs.
No. 1. For construction of two new forts on the left bank of the Nethe, south of Antwerp 3,000,000
No. 2. For the armament of the iron-clad fort St. Marie on the Lower Scheld 781,000
No. 3. For the purchase of cannon of large caliber and long range for entrenched camp, Antwerp 2,096,000
No. 4. For the purchase of war material necessary for the better provision and equipment of the present army 1,323,000
No. 5. For the armament and equipment of twenty field-batteries 3,300,000
Total 10,500,000