The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1914-11-06

Members of noble families have dis
charged their servants and joined the
bread line.
The fear is commonly expressed thai
the city with its famous buildings viii
be destroyed either by attack or by the
Germans themselves, should they be
compelled to retire. German money is
in general use. Military proclamations
in all the store windows announce thai
the market must be accepted. Brussels
has no postal communication except
with Germany. Everything is censored
No railways are operated in central Bel.
GUM. Most of the lines are without
bridges. Canals are the only avenues
for the shipment OF freight.
Belgians here estimate that one-fifth
of the Belgians remaining in the coun.
try have employment OF some sort.
These include farm owners and lessees.
The beet crop has been ruined by the
armies and sugar factories are closed.
There are no horses or other equipment
for harvesting or trains to move the
small amount of beets that have sur
vived the devastation OF war, and few
able bodied men to assist the women,
who are endeavoring to ward off starva-
ton by gathering what little remains of
the crops in the field.
Antwerp's diamond cutters are in the
army. Malines tapestry factories are in
ruins. Many cotton mills are in ashes
and those that still stand are closed.
All universities and schools have been
abandoned. Nearly all physicians are
at the front or serving in the hospitals.
Hundreds OF priests and nuns are car
ing for the sick and wounded. Few
churches are fit for occupancy as hos
pitals or otherwise. Convent homes
have been deserted by the sisters. Many
are so badly wrecked they could afford
no shelter.
Canals leading from Belgium to Hol-
land and the one railway line between
Antwerp and Rosendall constitute Bel
gums only communication with neu-
tral territory. There are no mails or
service to Dutch territory.
The disheartened Belgians are unable to
communicate with their relatives wheth-
er they are refugees in Holland or sol
diers on the battle line. Their isolation
is almost complete. To the grief over
their dead and the exile of their gov
ernment is now added the awful spectre
Of starvation.
The single ray OF hope is afforded by
the American commission for relief in
Belgium. The liberality of Holland is
described as splendid, but the country Is
grain supply is exhausted. Great Brit
lin having limited Dutch importatIons,
he sole source OF an adequate food
supply is the United States.
Even the few Belgians with money
,annot buy food. There is no wheat,
lour, coffee or salt to be had at any
,rice. In many cities conditions are
worse than in country districts. Baker
es are closed and vegetables are the
'nly diet. Supplies that the American |
commission is shipping will help lit
le, but thousands OF Belgians posi-
ively are hungry.
Imperfect means of communication
ave prevented the American minister.
brand Whitlock, and other prominent
nen from advising the world fully of
be terrible situation that confronts the
selgians as winter opens. The absence
King Albert and high government
fficials has made it impossible for the
zeal authorities to make their plight
nown.
A tight feeling in the chest accom-