The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1914-12-09
MOST DESPERATE CONDITIONS
Prevail and Says Cannot De-
scribe Plight without Ap'
pearing HySterical.
PRESENTS A NATIONAL PUZZLE


to-day after a weeks trip of inspec-
ton in Belgium. Mr.. Hoover re-
ported that the distribution of food
stuffs sent in care of the American
Commission is well under way, but
stated the condition of the famine
which threatened the population,
\ still is desperate. and that on ac-
count of the attitude.of the belliger-
ents the Belgians must still appeal
to- the people of the United States
for relief.
1T is difficult to state the posi-
ton of the civil population of Bel
GUM without appearing hysterical,
said Mr. Hoover in his statement. Il
do not know that history presents
any parallel of population of -
! 000, 900 people surrounded by ring
of steel and utterly unable by any
conceivable effort of their own to
| save themselves.
From the nature of things it is
! impossible for the commission even
to possess an opinion on the rights
and wrongs which have created this
situation. The Germans state fatty
that the people of Belgium are nor
mally dependent on the importation
of foodstuffs for five-sixths of their
subsistence, that the Germans have
not the slightest objection to the
! Belgians or any one else importing
/ foodstuffs into belgium. that it is
not the Germans who have blocked
the overseas supply. and that there
is no obligation upon them to feed
the civil population, which could,
through the normal course of trade,
obtain subsistence. The Allies, on
the other hand, contend that a free
port for the expectation of foOdstuffs
/ into Belgium would practically
amount to an entrepot for food sup
plies for the Germans. 1t is enough
| for us that there are 100000 peo-
| pie ground between two gigantic
millstones.
/ I'VE are meeting with no obstruc-
! ton from the military authorities of
! Belgium in the prosecution of our
move. Not one loaf of bread of one
spoonful of salt that We have intro
duced has been taken by the militia
| ny. The most stringent orders have
/ been given that we shall have no
/ interference, and our members meet
with respect and assistance in all
| quarters.
! There are considerable guam
titles of vegetables available in GER
tain districts. In some localities
there is still a supply of cereals for
two or three weeks, but in certain
other localities there has been no
bread available for over fortnight.
Every soul will be dependent upon
us for bread within thirty days.
so far our efforts have necessa-
rily been devoted to provisioning the
larger centers. 1t requires Organi-
zation and patience to be able to
penetrate the outlying towns and
villages. II will be difficult for the
people of the United States to COM
prehend the diaiculties which We
meet with in purely executive mat
tiers in the elaboration of this work. |
THE clock has absolutely stopped |
in Belgium. An industrial country |
which was dependent on the over
seas before is now walled up, with |
20 per cent. of the people idle. There |
are no telegraphs, telephones, rail- |
ways or post-ofIices except for mill |
tary purposes. The Belgians. of a |
military necessity, are not allowed |
to pass from their own towns and |
consequently there is no communca-
ton throughout the country except |
by personal visits of our own mem
bers.
There are no courts and the pris-
ons have been emptied, but the gem
darmerle have remained at their |
posts and are themselves both po- |
licentn and judges. The people are |
most law-abiding. The central and
provincial governments have disap-
peared. The city and communal |
governments. however. still exist
and through them the distribution
OF food being arranged. The
Religions are applying themselves
with the most extraordinary devo-
ton to the perfection OF this organ
ration and II We lacked any other
inspiration for exertion in our part
of the labor to save these people.
sufficient lies In this devoted work
of the rich and the poor, a veritsbie
democracy of famine which is work.