The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-12-22
ANTHONY HOPE.

Belgium wants food. She wants il
on a scale, with an urgency, and with
IN intensity which the imagination
can hardly conceive. Even when aided
by the vivid yet strictly business-like
reports furnished by the representa-
ives or the commission for Relief in
Belgium, we find ii difficult to grasp
hat the situation really is.
A multitude Of Belgians have taken
refuge in Holland, and have been re-
ceived with Il noble hospitality. An
other multitude have succeeded in
reaching Great Britain, and Great
britain is doing her best for them.
Gut the bulk of the nation is still on
It's own soil-not merely or mainly
for lack Of choice, but by command of
heir King and his Ministers. They
tannot leave their country derelict;
hey cannot let their claim to it go
by default. They must stand by the
ship. however fierce the tempest.
They are non-combatantS, these
oeoDle-women, children, and men
not eligible for military service. 1t
IS the civil population Of Belgium
which suffers famine and is threat
ened with absolute starvation. And
their number amounts 10 some seven
million souls.
Seven millions! To victual them
FOR 81 day needs the cargo of a good
big ship. But they have to be vic
tualled for months. For, as matters
stand with her, Belgium can grow
nothing, make nothing, sell nothing,
buy nothing. Consequently can
eat nothing, and must die-unless
somebody comes to h rescue. True,
she is doing what she car for herself.
Belgian Relief Committees and Bel
gian men of means have guaranteed
three million dollars towards the
work Of the Commission for Relief;
practically every efficient person in
Belgium has volunteered for relief
work. Admirable as these efforts are,
they are totally inadequate to meet
the case: they do not detract from
BelGium's claim on the WORLDS gener-
osity; nay, they strengthen it."
\ Country That Can't Help Itself.
Who is to help, then? Neigh
borly Holland is doing all and more
than could be asked Of her; herself q
small country, she can do no more
Germany, AuStria-Hungary, france
and Great Britain are all llgef
Powers; hat fact sterl4ly limits botf
thir means and their opportunities
For example, Great Britain, though
she welcomes refugees, and though
she is in a position to give assistance
IN money, finds herself obliged, Iol
military reasons to prohibit the eX'
bort of foodstufTs to Belgium. "n'
IS to help, then, and who can he!p II
ii measure really Adequate! ina
question was asked some weeks De
fore / started to write these me
asked and answered. The alS"el
came with all the characterlStlcaii.
national clearness, promptltuoe' ah'
confdence-"Why, America y
"oUrse!"
Mr.. Whitlock, American Minister !
Brussels, set tho all rolling; he Ell
listed the keen interest and po"eilu
Aid Of DR.. Page, Ambassador IN Lon
don; q committee OF prominent Amer
'can citizens in IondOn was 1oIiiloo
fhc British and Belgian GoVerhliieil
promised their aid; the German Nos
eminent gave its sanction-so nee,
Sary and essential to the Work' la
and Spain declared their eagerles9 !.
help to the extent of their ap,l.s
tho cooperation of the native beisid
Relief Committees was obtained on
organized. Thus not more ina
four weeks ago from he Gay 81
which / write-the COMMISSION -
relief in Belgium came INTO eAis'0 :
&nd-auite simultaneOusly-set ,
work. 1t might well have peeH ap
palled at the task before h-e't+
paraly 1ed, unable to see how eve. :
begin. how to set about SO vast d 10
1t showed. in fact. no sign . -