Evening star., 1914-11-01
KING ALBERT BEGS
FOOD FOR BELGIUM
Asks American People to Feed
His Starving During
Coming Winter.
FRAMES APPEAL while
UNDER FIRE IN BATTLE
Both Rich and Poor in Stricken Do
main Now Are Subjects
of Charity.

Albert, King of the Belgians, has asked
the American people through the Amer
lean commission, for relief in Belgium
to help feed his starving people dur
ing the coming winter.
The kings message, written under
fire in the battle before Dunkirk, fol-
lows:
II am informed that American
officials and citizens in Belgium and
England are working to save my
people from the horrors of the fam
inc which now threaten them. 1t is
great comfort to me in this hour
of sorrow and misfortune to feel
that a great-hearted. disinterested
people is directing its efforts to re-
lieving the distress of the unoffend-
ing civilian population of my coun-
try.
Despite all that can be done. the
suffering in the coming winter will
be terrible, but the burden we must
bear will be lightened if my people
can be spared the pangs OF hunger
with it's frightful consequences of
disease and violence.
Il confidently hope that the appeal
OF the American commission will
meet with generous response. The
whole-hearted friendship of Amer
lea shown my people at this time
always will be a precious memory.
(Signed) .ALBERT
Commission Is Recognized.
The American commission for relief
in Belgium is an official body recog-
nized by the various governments for
the transmission of foodstuffs into Bel
gium. 1t is the only channel through
\ ;ol, ha inf ipfn n Il.
gium, and by its association with a
in Belgium has the only
efficient agency distribution of food
within that country. H. c. Hoover.
chairman of the commission, which
has headquarters in London, makes
the following appeal to all American
I'VE have received reports from
members of this commission who were
sent into Belgium. They have the
assistance of the national committee
of relief and it's branches throughout
Belgium. together with the help of the
American ministers and consuls and
local officials. Their reports show that
there are still some 100000 people
in Belgium. In many centers the peo-
pie are receiving an allowance of
little more than three ounces of flour
per capita daily.
Every Home Touched.
"This is not question of charity or
relief to the chronically poor; it is a
question of feeding an entire popula-
ton The situation affects the wealthy
and well-to-do as well as the poor.
It touches every home in Belgium.
"Our experts calculate that in order
to avoid actual starvation Belgium
must have every month minimum of
60 900 tons of wheat, $1,000 tons of
corn, 5000 tons of peas or beans. and a
limited amount of bacon or lard.
This will allow rations of ten
ounces per capita daily, which is about
half the usual soldiers ration. All this
will cost 100000 or $5.000,0
There is no money in Bel
gium. The whole credit machinery has
ceased. Eighty per cent of the people
are unemployed.
Payment May Be Devised.
"a plan may be devised whereby such
Belgians as possess property may give
obligations to pay when the war ends.
but even If we could realize on these
we must still have at least
$2,50O,000 monthly in food or money
with which to buy 1t. That these fig
ures are no exaggeration Is proven by
the fact that Belgium imports in
normal times an average of 100000
tons OF cereals monthly. This, together
with it's own production. which, with
is now exhausted
During the past week We have re-
ceived and expended in emergency food
100000, and yet this is only four days
supply. The problem Is immediate. The
Belgians are helping themselves. but
they can do little. The British and
French are under such strain that they
also can do little. Besides these ma
tions, together with the Dutch, have a
million refugees on their hands. Amer
leans must feed Belgium this winter
There never was such a call on Amer
lean charity and there never was a
famine emergency so great.
kctual Food Desired.
"This committee and it's distributing
agency. the Belgian committee, is com
posed entirely Of volunteers, and every
dollar represents actual food, without
any organization expenses. 1t Is our
earnest hope that all funds raised for
Belgian relief In the United States will
be translated into actual food and
shipped through the commission.
will you, therefore. in the interests
OF humanity. open subscription among
your readers. earmarked For the sole
purpose Of purchasing and transporting
food
to purchase food in the United States
Information as to what centers anG
what relief agencies in the United
States will undertake the purchase anG
dispatch will be cabled later.
II. c. HOOVER.
t.trha