Grand Forks daily herald. (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1914-1916, 1914-11-28
BELC|ANS WILL
FIGHT TO DEATH
American, Returned From
Stricken Nation, Says
they are Desperate.

New Richmond. Wis, Nov. 27.--
Captain J.. Francis Lucey, who has
charge of the Belgian relief work at
Rotterdam, Holland. wrote to his wife
who Ia staying at her home in this
city. from Rotterdam under date Of
November s that the first and most
urgent appeal that came to him for
assistance was for salt and 1t came
from a delegation of Belgians from
the LmbourH district. They informed
Captain Lucey that they had limited
supplies Of fresh meat and potatoes,
1ut that they had been without salt
Tor 80 days. Captain Lucey said he
had u%nbounded admiration for the
Belgians and believes they will die
fighting.
Destitutlon Appalling.
II hardly know where to begin this
letter" he writes. but 1 do know
that this is the most appalling case of
distress n misery the world has ever
known. 1t is a nation. homeless,
without food and clothes or means to
assist them, and yet the Belgians are
not paupers. Far from 1t. They have
money to buy with. but there is moth
ing to buy, and rs one of them said to
me: We cannot eat money
Works Night and Day.
Lately I have been working night
and day to assist these people, and
even after ! have gone to bed I am
frequently called out for advice and
assistance, and 1t is only now for the
first time that I have finally seen some
results. At last food is being dis
tributed to these poor people. 1 cay
poor not in a financial sense, for
they have money. They all have
money, but there is nothing they can
buy, no place they can spend their
money.
Salt and Flour Needed.
The Limbourg delegation asked for
but two things--salt and -four. They
wanted some flour for their sick, but
they did not insist on that. They said
they could get along with two tons of
salt. They begged and pleaded, but I
could lot help them. I thank the good
-four, and have so notified those peo-
pie.
THE same story comes from every
other district of Belgium, from Ma
muir, where but 10 houses remain in
a once thriving city; from Louvain,
from Charleroi. from Einant. Ali
come with their pitiful tales. and we
are now getting around to them all
Just az fast as We can. American
longer scoRed at on this side of the
world.
Red Tape Abolished.
Il have overcome red tape. I have
pleaded with ministers and military
and civil authorities. 1 have raised
cain generally. I have even abused
tho Belgians themselves. but have
done 1t all for their own good, and
now they see it for themselves. We
are beginning to get results, and if
ever I felt Justified in ,denuncIations
and browbeating 1t is In This case. Sup
plies in abundance are enroute. Some
have already been distributed. We
have assisted some of the most dis
tressed districts. In 10 days we will
have food in every district in Belgium.
Il do not want reward. l am sat
isaed with the results. I have re-
cefved beautiful letters from ministers
and other governmental authorities.
Tears come to tho eyes of proud and
wealthy Belgians when they speak to
me. Perhaps in time I will appreci-
ate 1t, but just now I am most anxious
to get home. ! have reported to the
London headquarters Of the commits
sion for the relief Of BELGIUM, as it is
officially designated. that my work
here 10 done and asking to be relieved.
The work 10 fully organized and can
safely be taken over by others.
Admires Bel9ianx.
After the close personal contact
have had with them all these weeks,
l WIFI carry away a deep-seated adj
miration for the Belgian people. Cour-
age. character. everything that goes
to make UP a true man. they have in
the greatest abundance. They do not
complain. Nor do they regret what
they have done. They will 20 on ight-
ing to the emo. If thew die as a ma.
ton and their country passes from
the face OF the earth. they will die
fighting"