11 AUGUST 1917, Page 3

A strong Committee, representing the Foreign Office, the Board of

Trade, and the great industries, has been appointed to inquire into our commercial relations with Belgium, and to promote trade between Belgium and the British Empire after the war. It is well known that the enemy have systematically robbed and destroyed Belgian factories, as much to rid theirradvea of an active competitor as to secure the machinery and raw materials for war purposes. When peace comes it will be the object of the Allies to foil this malevolent design. The new Committee is not intended to secure any special privileges for British trade, as distinguished from the trade of the Allies, but is designed to hasten the economic revival of Belgium herself.