New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-27
FAMINE CLOSING ON
100000 BELClAM
Germans Seize Food for
Soldiers, but Will Not
Feed People.
WHITLOCK HAS ONLY
BLACK BREAD LEFT
Conditions in Country and Other
Cities Even Worse than
in Brussels.

Brussels, Oct. 26.--Nearly seven
million people in Belgium face famine
unless they receive help from the out
side at once. The American Minister TO
Belgium, Brand Whitlock, says that
less than two weeks supply Of food re-
mains 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 stu
disclaims responsibility for feeding the
Belgians. Mr.. Whitloek has had only
peasants black bread for two weeks
and the supply o. that is short, one
hundred soup kitchens are feeding
more than 100000 of the needy IN
Brussels Families formerly rich are
discharging their servants because
they are bankrupt Noblemen may be
seen slipping into the soup kitchens.
The factories are closed. Many stores
remain open, but have no business. me
streetcars are being operated, but the
railway train service has been sus-
pended The supplies Of coffee, tea
-four. rye and salt are practically eN-
hausted.
Reports received by Minister Whit
lock from Louvain, Liege and Namut
say that the conditions in those CITIES
are even worse than they are IN brus,
sells. Louvain has only four DAYS
supply of -four, while Llege mas no
flour at ell. The peasants in many dis
tricts have been forced to exist on
legumes, as the crops of beets and
cabbages have been ruined. The meat
and milk supplies also have been cut
off, the army having taken the cattle
People Are Wanderers.
Nearly half Of those people who
have been able TO remain in belgium
are wandering helplessly from town 70
town, seeking shelter with TRENDS ana
relatives Malines, which formerly mao
$4,000 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
moving in either direction. wagons
and carts are filled with the wreckage
Of their household effects. Thousands
on foot are carrying bundles or push
ing dog carts, always moving, hut with
no definite destination.
Other crowds are gathered about the
ruins Of forts and rife pits, staring
blankly at mounds that are covered
with withered flowers and surmounted
helmets Of dead Germans have been
placed to mark their graves.
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 its shattered
windows and tottering walls, damaged
beyond repair by she'll fire.
Similar conditions are found in the
small villages between Antwerp and
Brussels. Few stores are omen. 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 contested
forts were literally RACED, yet many of
the inhabitants remain, living IN rudely
constructed sheds or tents,
In Brussels the sides Of buildings
and billboards are plastered with Ger
man military notices, printed IN
French, German and Flemish. The
streets are filed with German soldiers
and marines. The automobiles of the
officers, carrying buglers to warn pc
destrians, are dashing in all directions.
The city is quiet. All the shops and
houses are closed at 8 o'clock at ni"ht,
thouqh the buildings are brightly
lighted.
Sentenced for Insulting Soldiers.
By an Official order there have been
posted throughout the country the
names of Belgians and Britishers who
have been sentenced TO from q month
TO one years Imprisonment for insults
offered TO German soldiers. Others are
warned TO obey the military orders, and
also 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.
London, Oct. 26.-The American COM
mission for the relief Of sufferers from
the war in Belgium will be unable to
( ship its first cargo, consisting of $500
/ tons of foodstuffs, until Wednesday be
cause of the delay in the Board Of
/ Trade in granting the necessary IL
cense to export food from England.
The commission will have to re-
place all food now being procured in
England for shipment 20 Belgium by
an equal amount brought from some
other country The British govern
ment has declined TO promise any def
mite funds for the use Of the commits
sion beyond a lump contribution, the
exact amount Of which is not known.
The commission, therefore, expects
. tba+ tho greater amount of the sup