The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-02-11
THE HAsKIN LETTER
Plans for Rebuilding Belgium

4 IA conference will be held in Lon.
don this week to consider plans for
the rebuilding Of Belgium. 1t has
4 been called by the International Car
/ den City and Town Planning Associa-
/ ton, which has branches In this and
most European countries, and in
cludes in Its membership some Of the
most distinguished city planning and
housing experts in the world.
This convention OF modern city
builders Will face one of the most
tremendous tasks, and at the same
time one Of the greatest human prob
lcms, brought forth by the war. Their
task will be to plan the restoration
of a nation whose cities have been
literally wiped OF the face of the
earth. And the human problem will
be to induce millions Of homeless peo-
pie, eager to return to their own land.
In dire need Of shelter and food, to
rebuild these cities along modern.
sanitary lines. The thing TO be de.
termined is whether Belgium shall
become a land of struggling, hastily
built villages, or shall rise from its
ashes clean and orderly and beautiful.
The completeness OF the destruction
which has overtaken this nation Is
hard to conceive. Antwerp, for ex-
ample, was bombarded for forty
hours by the Black Narias,n the
tgreat Krupp geige guns OF the Ger.
mans. During that time from five to
thirty shells struck the city every
minute. These shells were twenty
eight millimeters in caliber, and Of
the explosive type. When one of them
struck wooden shop or dwelling, the
building Immediately burst into
flames. and was quickly consumed.
"A brick dwelling struck by q Black
Maria" shell was described by a cor
respondent as pouring into the street
| in shower OF sbrick.n "A single shell
striking the city hall removed the
upper story. A correspondent who
viewed the city from a height, after
twelve hours Of .bouibardment, report
cd that the southern half Of It was a
complete ruin.
Termonde was a typical Belgian
town Of 10000 Inhabitants not far
from Antwerp. An eyewitness de-
elares that after the bombardment
practically none OF the houses we're
intact. Portions OF the outer walls,
and the charred remains Of their com
tents, were all that remained. Two
women, one OF whom was blind, was
the only inhabitants left In Termonde.
The countryside Jared no better
than the cities and towns. Here, too,
! nearly all Of the houses were Destroy
ed. The orchards and all other trees
were cut down that they might not
afford cover TO the enemy. Great
areas Of farm land were flooded for
defensive purposes. These precau-
tionary measures alone are estimated
to have done $50 900, 900 worth. OF
damage in Belgium. The life Of the
country people is at an absolute stand
still. Those who have been unable to
\ leave the country are described as
sitting dumb and patient by the road
side, unable to comprehend the dis
aster that has overtaken them.
All the Be1gians who, were able have
left their homes for other lands. Dur
Ing the ibombardment of Antwerp
word went around that two ships
were leaving for Ostend.-. In a few
hours 10000 persons had gathered on
the quay, all hoping to be among the
lucky ones. who could get passage.
Two were drowned and an old woman
had her skull fractured in the rush
that took place when the gang planks
were lowered. Grotesque caravans of
refugees, transporting their; goods
chattels by means of all sorts Of
makeshifts. pour along the roads.
Great numbers have died of starva-
ton and exposure, and this will, OF
course, make it easier to find homes
for the returning population after the
war But there will be some to take
the places of those who have fallen,
II Is estimated that 10000 babies have
been born in Belgium since the war
began.
I. It is to these-the children and the
future citizens OF Belgium-that res
toration along scientific lines means
the most. If these children are to
have fair chance in life, the Belgian
cities must be rebuilt with abundant
parks. with modern schools and play
4 grounds, and with the sanitary cons
ditions which prevent infant mortal
ity.
The first step in providing for the
scientific restoration OF Belgium is to
make plan and to decide upon meas
ures which will prevent haste in the
rebuilding Of the ruined cities; and
these are the immediate purposes OF
the London conference. Members OF
the Belgian ministry will be present
to confer with the city planning ex-
gperts; and definite provision will be
made for survey OF all Belgium.
under government direction, as soon
as peace is made,
This survey will include the rural
districts as well as the cities, and
will be made the basis OF the proposed
restoration. The two most important
features Of the plan are to restore
the charm for which Belgium has long
been famous by reproducing as nearly
as possible her great public strlc-
! lures, her churches and cathedrals;
I and at the same time to provide fol-
rebuilding the homes Of the people 50
that they shall embody the latest and
most advanced ideas of town and city
planning. Thus the hope OF the con-
ferees is for a Belgium not only ar.
tistic and beautiful as before, but a