New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-11
GERMAN THREAT TO
STOP BELGIAN FOOD
Interference with u. S. Re-
lief Work Indicated by
Proclamation.

London. Nov i0.-A proclamation is-
sued by the Germans at Brussels spe-
officially threatens, according TO a
Reuter- dispatch from Amsterdam, TO
stop the distribution Of food by the
American Relief Committee among the
unemployed until the Belgians go to
work.
When informed of the reported
threat by Germans in Brussels to stop
the distribution OF food by the Ameri-
can Relief Committee, jerome d.
Greene, secretary Of the Rockefeller
Foundation, said yesterday that the
shipment Of food and supplies from
New York to the distressed Belgians
would be continued until Ambassador
Page, at London, advised to the con-
trary. Mr.. Greene added:
I'VE shall be guided entirely by the
advice Of The international comission
in London and Belgium. of which Am
bassador Page is an honorary chair
man, as il was upon their representa-
tons that we have begun shipments TO
Belgium. The American Ambassador
TO Belgium, Brand Whitlock, is one of
the officers Of this commission"
Supplies are now being collected in
this city and the next shipment may
be made, Mr.. Greene said, in about two
weeks.
Brussels, Nov. 1O.-A proclamation
issued by the German Governor of
Brussels on Friday reiterates the Ger
ma. statement that Belgium needs an
active population to make money to
keep it from starvation, but this time
the order threatens that unless the peo-
pie return Immediately and resume
their former activities the German
government will close all charitable
organizations which now feed the idle
popuace.
Well informed Brussels residents say
the German contention that the Belgian
people are unwilling 20 resume their
activities il unsrounded. The Belgiens,
they say, are willing enough 90 work,
but this is impossible, since all their
automobiles and horses have been
taken by the German army, making Il
impossible for them to haul coal and
raw material for the factories.
The Bclgians. 10 is said, fshed the
miserable. half blind horses out of the
mines. fed them and set them to work,
but no sooner were these horses strong
enough 20 pull carts than the Germans
confscare them for the army. Now
the factories are without coal and iron
or any raw materials.
The beet industry. which was enor-
nous in many parts Of Belgium, has
been ruined. The farmers have mill
ions of beets rotting in the storehouses
through inability 20 transport them to
the factories The workmen. Belgians
maintain. are willing 20 work for one
fourth of their ordinary WAGES, but the
factory owners, unable TO provide the
necessary material, nave been obliged
to dismiss the men.
The situation in the last week has
turned for the worse. strict order
not to allow anybody to leave the coun-
try, numerous arrests of Belgian boys
between the ages of eighteen and thir-
ty, and the continual movement Of
trains bearing wounded and fresh
troops are causing great unrest.
Open revolt and speedy destruction,
some residents say, are preferable 20
this slow method Of starvation, while
the latest fine inflicted by the Ger
mans, Of S1,25O,000, which popularity is
fel. 70 be unjust. has suddenly sharp
ened the hitherto politely distant rela-
tions between the Belgians and their
conquerOrs.