Evening star., 1915-02-16
One Fifth of the Population of
Belgium Wholly Dependent
Upon Charity.
COST OF GIVING RELIEF
OVER $4,000, 900 A MONTH
Second Report of Commission Under
Rockefeller Foundation on Condi-
tions in War-Ridden Country.

NEW YORK, February 16-All
agencies engaged in Belgian relief
must occupy themselves for the pres
ent with the immediate tasks of pro-
viding bread for the total population
of Belgium and of supplying all food
for one fifth of that population. which
is wholly dependent upon charitable
aid. according to the second report of
the relief commission sent abroad by
the Rockefeller Foundation to investi-
gate the effects of the war upon non
combatants.
This report also states that clothing
must be supplied to certain communi-
ties where the people have lost their
clothing through the burning or loot
ing of their houses: temporary shelter
must be provided for families whose
homes have been destroyed. and en-
ployment must be given. as far as pos
sible, to the unemployed. These reliei
measures, the commission estimates.
will necessitate an expenditure ot aoou'
$6,600.000 a month
Of the total Belgian population of
1000, 900, the report states. so per cent
are able to pay for their bread. put
the grain from which to make inc
bread must be purchased in foreien
s.,
distributed under the protection OF
the American government to the COM
munes. About $4,000 tons of gram
monthly are required for the feeding
of the population, II is inquired, anu i'; lnE
purchase and delivery of the grain VIII
cost about S3,600,0e0 a month.
10000 Without Resources.
The remaining 20 per cent of the
Belgian nom -combatants, or l.fOo.o6o
peonle are without resources, the re-
port states.
"Of the 100000 people living in Brus.
sells. .50, 900 are now in the soup line.
says the commission or the 4u,ouo
people now living in Malines, $4,000 are
in the soup line It is estima.ea ;i,;on ai'af af
Liege is already dependent upon the
'canteens.' The chairman of the Bel.
gian national committee has estimated
that in the industrial towns ana cltiSs H
of Belgium About one-third of the
present population is now being sup
ported by charity.
.In the rural communities conditions
are better Most of the farmers have
some resources. From the few re-
manning cows they get milk and but
ter From the land they have some
supplies of potatoes, turnfps and other
vegetables. In some Of the more
favored rural communities the proper
U
ent upon charity is at present small.
In other communities. where the de-
struction of houses has been great and
the requisition Of cattle and food sup
plies has been heavy, much larger
percentage of the people are dependent
upon charitable aid"
In order to provide these destitute
people with a daily allowance of
bread, soup and coffee. and to supply
them with clothing. shelter and med
ical attention. monthly expenditure
Of $3O00,000 will be required, says the
report OF this sum the communes
have undertaken to provide one-third.
leaving 100000 monthly to be sup
piled bv the Belgian national commit
tee and the friends of Belgium in for
eign countries. Most of this fund must
be raised outside Belgium, the commits
sion says.
Two Agencies Created.
In advising the foundation as to the
means available for accomplishing
these ends. the commission further
says:
For the purpose of providing relief
In Belgium two distinct but intimately
related sets Of agencies have been
created. These agencies are the COM
mission for relief in Belgium and the
Comite de Secours at D'Alimentation
de Be1gique.
Our investig cation has left no doubt
in our minds that the two organiZa-
tions engaged in the work measure
fed as to the integrity, ability and
high purpose of the men who are con-
Quoting these organizations and their
work"