New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-24
SUBSIDY FOR RELIEF
in BELGIUM DENIED
Sir Edward Grey Says
Germany Must Stop Cash
Exactions There First.
MONTHLY LEVY NOW
$S,000,000, HE SAYS
Foreign Secretary Praises Gen.
crosby of American People
and Commissions Work.

London, Feb. 28-The British For
eign Office has directed a letter to
Herbert c. Hoover, chairman OF the
American Commission for Relief in
Belgium, declining to give direct
subsidy TO his commission. The For
eign Office explains it has taken this
course because Germany has refused
70 put a stop TO cash acquisitions IN
Belgium. The letter is signed by Sir
Edward Grey, the British Foreign Sec
rotary. il is dated February %, and
says:
Dear Mr.. Hoover: Your return from
Germany and the information you have
given me as the result of your jour
ney afford me the opportunity TO sum
uI the negotiations which passed be
tween the Commission for Relief In
Belgium and his majesty's government
in reply TO the various letters you have
written me.
when the work Of the commission
was originally set on foot, through the
United States and Spanish Ambassa-
doris in London, in behalf of the Bel
gian government, his majesty's govern
ment agreed that all food supplies
from neutral countries through the
commission should pass into Belgium
without interruption for distribution
among the Belgian people, under guar
antees given by the German govern
ment 70 the commission.
British Governments Gift.
"His majesty's government also con
tributed 100000 to the funds Of the
commission. This sum has been sup
plemented by grants of money from
We also were able to extend facilities
which insured your shipping reaching
Rotterdam, and in certain instances TO
relax in your favor our prohibitions
affecting the export of food and the
transfer of money.
Military considerations might be
held TO render such action on our part
inadvisable, but it appeared to US
necessary, in the circumstances, to dis
regard such considerations. You rep
resented to us, however, that such
grants were quite inadequate to your
needs, since your expenditure for food
stuffs distributed in pure charity
amounted to between 100000 and
$4,000 monthly. You therefore
asked for a monthly subventiOn from
our government TO supplement the very
generous private contributions which
You are receiving from the American
people.
1--WE did not see our way to accede TO
YOUR request. Indeed, for some time
we have regarded the whole project OIL
the distribution of food in Belgium
with some doubt, in view OF the action
of the German authorities. =,
"While respecting the food actually
imnorted bv YOU they did not until
December accede TO your representa-
tons regarding the cessation OF requl-
sitions for the German army OF sup
niles Of native food remaining available
for the civil population OF Belgium;
They even carried away cattle ana
cereals from Belgium into Germany
Levy of SS.OOO,OOO a Month.
"They also levied large monetary con-
tributions upon the cities and com
munes in Belgium. These eXactlons
have now eliminated in levy OF the
sum of 100000 francs (SS,OOO,OOO) a
month from the whole country.
at was evident, il, under such con-
ditions, the British government UNDER
took through your commission TO supply
money and food TO the Belgian popula-
tion the only result would be an equlva-
lent diminution Of the food and supplies
already there The British government
In fact, would be facilitating the feed
ing and paying for the maintenance
of the German army.
"JTnder these conditions II was I'M
possible for our government TO make
direct grant to the commission. EVentu-
elv. however, his majesty's govern
ment recognized that the work or the
commission was directed on sound lines
to supply the urgent needs OF the Bel
clan people and had the less doubt on
This point in view Of the additional
guarantee obtained by you IN December
from the German government that at
least all kinds of foodstuifs which
would need to be replaced by the com
mission should be free from all requi-
sition. and in view of the assurances
Won we're able TO give his majesty's gov
eminent that foOdstuifs imported by
YOU had not been interfered with by
German troops.
"Further, was able 10 inform you
last month that his majesty's govern
ment would grant the commission
monthly subvention TO enable 1t TO
carry on its work on condition that the
German government would undertake
IN cease all reuuisitions for food of any
kind and all levies and contributions
of any kind whatever in Belgium, with
the exception, of course, OF such taxa
ton of the people as is admitted under
the Hague convention.
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