New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-03


decided to give this years peace prize,
which amounts TO about $4,000, to the
Netherlands government, to be applied
toward the support of Belgium refu-
gees in Holland.
Brussels, Nov. q Between 100000
and 100000 Belgians have little or
nothing to call "home." Theyare a people
almost without country. FOOdstuiIs
forage, horses, cattle and automobiles
not Communicated by the Belgian army
when the war broke out have been
seized by the Germans. Practically
every acre is now swept of everything
valuable.
1t is estimated that there are now
100000 Belgians in England and $780,
600 in Holland. The lowest estimate
made here places the number of Bel
gan homes destroyed or so badly dam
aged as 10 be uninhabitable at one mill
ion. Malines, Louvain, Liege, Namur
Charleroi, Mons, Dinant and IA score OF
smaller places have been so shattered
by the artillery fire of the opposing
armies that less than half of the nor
NAL population is decently sheltered.
A report from Limbourg says that
the supplies for the breadline have
been exhausted, and the feeding can be
resumed only when American food ar
rives.
The seizure Of cattle for the armies
has left the country without beef, milk
and cheese. The supply of grain ordi-
narily imported from the United States
and Canada has been cut OFF. For sew
eral weeks Flanders was able TO help
the eastern portion, but now that the
lowlands have become the scene of
fighting Bruges, Client, Antwerp and
Ostend are suffering the same distress
which earlier befell the eastern part OF
the contry.
Big Industries Closed.
At Liege, the Pittsburgh of Belgium,
the steel industry has been brought TO
a standstill. At Antwerp, the New York
of the Belgians, all shipping has
stopped Hundreds OF big steamers lie
idle at the docks along the Scheldt.
Thousands of freight trucks are rust
ing beside the canals, while the horses
are dead in Flemish trenches. The
drivers and freight handlers are IN
hospitals or with King Albert's army.
Newport and Ostend, the latter sug-
costing Atlantic City TO an American,
are occupied by the Germans and the
hotels are filled with German wounded.
A row of hotels along the beach at the
resort fly the Red Cross flag.
Brussels, the deserted capital, has
been spared destruction, but its indus
tries are shut down. Lace workers are
being fed at soup kitchens. The stores
have no food TO sell and the public
has no money to buy if opportunity Of
fered. Members Of noble families have
discharged their servants and Joined
the breadline.
The fear is commonly expressed that
the city, with its famous buildings, viii
be destroyed either by attack or by the
Germans themselves should they be
compelled to retire Everywhere one
hears stories Of buildings having been
mined with a view to blowing them up
in the event that the city cannot be
held
1t is estimated by Belgians here that
one-ffth of the Belgians remaining in
the country have employment of some
sort. These include farm owners and
lessees. The beet crop has been ruined
by the armies and the sugar and beet
factories are closed There are no
horses or other equipment for harvest
ing or trains to move the small amount
of beets that have survived the devas-
tation of war and few able-bodied men
to assist the brave women who are en-
deavoring TO ward off starvation by
gathering what little remains of the
crops in the tield.
Diamond Cutters in Army.
4
the army. Malines' tapestry factories
are in ruins. Many cotton mills are in
ashes, and those that still stand are
closed. All universities and schools
have been abandoned. Nearly all the
physicians are at the front or serving
in the hospitals. Hundreds of priests
and nuns are caring for the sick and
wounded Few churches are fit for oc-
cupancy as hospitals or otherwise. The
convent homes have been deserted nee
essarily by the Sisters. Many are so
badly wrecked that they could afford no
shelter.
The single ray Of hope is afforded
bv the American Commission for Re
lief in Belgium. The liberality of Hol-
land is described as splendid, but the
country's grain supply Is exhausted.
Great Britain having limited Dutch i'm
portations, the sole source of an ade-
auate food supply is the United States.
The cargoes of food now leaving the
United States viii actually save
countless human suffering and lives.
The Burgomaster Of LimDourg states
that opportunities 70 work would be
preferable in the eyes Of the people.
but since these are lacking, food from
the United States IS the noblest con-
tribution that can be made 70 Belgium.