Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-27
Food Supply in Belgium Limit
ed to Two Weeks, Minister
WhitIock Reports.
SOUP KITCHENS FEEDING
100000 IN BRUSSELS
People Formerly Wealthy Become
Observation-Disclosures Close-Dis-
tressful Conditions Exist.

BRUSSELS, October q, by way of
London.-Nearly 100000 people in
Belgium face famine unless they re-
ceive help from the outside at once.
The American minister to Belgium,
Brand Whitlokk. says that less than
two weeks supply Of food remains in
the cities. while conditions in the
country districts are even worse.
Though Germany has seized the food in
some cities for her soldiers, she still
disclaims responsibility for feeding the
Belgians.
Mr.. Whftlock has had on hand only
peasants black bread for two weeks
hundred soup kitchens are feeding
more than 100000 of the needy in Brus-
sells. Families formerly rich are dis
charging their servants because they
are bankrupt. -Noblemen may be seen
slipping into the soup kitchens.
The factories are closed. Many stores
The street cars are being operated. but
the railway train service has been
suspended. The supplies of coffee, tea,
flour. rye and salt are practically ex-
hausted.
Conditions in Other Cities.
Reports received by Minister Whit
lock from Louvain, Liege and Namur
say that the conditions in those cities
are even worse than they are in Brus-
sells. Louvain has only a four-day sup
ply of flour. while Liege has no flour
at all. The peasants in many districts
nave been forced to exist on 1egumes,
as the crops of beets and cabbages
have been ruined
The meat and milk supplies also have
been cut off, thearmy having taken
the cattle. 1t is declared absolutely
essential that food be obtained from
England, and it is hoped that the first
shipment is now on the water.
Nearly half of those people who have
oeen able to remain in Belgium are
wandering helplessly from town to
town, seeking shelter with friends and
relatives. Malines, which formerly had
10000 Inhabitants. has but few undam-
aged houses standing. The same situa-
ton exists at Namur and Louvain.
The road from Antwerp to Brussels
is black with professions of people
and carts are filled with the wreckage
of their household effects. Thousands
on foot are carrying bundles or push
ing dog carts, always moving, but
with no definite destination.
Other crowds are gathered about the
blank1y at mounds that are covered
with withered flowers and surmounted
by wooden crosses upon which the he'll
NETS of dead Germans have been placed
to mark their graves.
People Are Disheartened.
Belgians of all classes appear dis
heartened. Old women and cripples
may be seen sitting near their shat
tered homes in Malines. nodding mutely
at the cathedral with it's shattered win
dows and tottering walls-damaged be-
yond repair by shell fire.
Similar conditions are found in the
small villages between Antwerp and
Brussels. Few stores are open. Those
attempting to re-establish their homes
find their roofs. which have been
pierced by shells. no protection from
the rain that is now falling every
day. The villages that stood near con-
tested forts were literally razed, yet
many of the inhabitants remain living
in rudely Constructed sheds or tents.
In Brussels the scores of buildings
and billboards are plastered with Ger
man military notices printed in French,
German and Flemish. The streets are
filled with German soldiers and ma
rines. The automobiles of the officers
carrying buglers to warn pedestrians,
are dashing in all directions. The city
is quiet. All the shops and houses are
closed at 3 o'clock at night, though the
buildings are brightly lighted.
Punished for Insulting Soldiers.
BY an official order there have been
posted throughout the country the
names of Belgians and Brftishers who
have been sentenced from a month to
one years Imprisonment for insults Of
fered to German soldiers. Others are
warned to obey military orders and
are advised that the Germans have no
intention of Selling non combatants
The Germans are paying for every
thing obtained in stores. the German
.commandant having requested that he
be furnished with the names of any
soldiers who Communicated bicycles and
food.
On the initiative of the directors of
the Antwerp Peoples Bank, according
to an Amsterdam dispatch to the Daily