The Washington times., 1915-01-04
NOVEL TOWN BUILT
FORV|CT|MS or WAR
Belgian Refugees in Holland Are
Housed in Structures Of New
Design.

HARDERW1JK. Netherlands, Jan. 4.
"A new Belgian town in Gelderland. not
far from here, and about five minutes
walk from the picturesque village of
Nunspcct, has arisen in the last month.
1t has moro inhabitants than any other
In the Veluwe, the we'll wooded, hiliy
heathland OF tho province Of Gelderland.
The town is one Of the cities OF refuge
for the Belgian fugitives that are being
or have been constructed in various
parts OF Holland and this particular
place is made ready for a population Of
soil has been fenced In with barbcd wire,
and within this enclosure has been built
a town Of wooden buildings, a town in
three parts. each separated from the
others by long, Wide stretches Of heath
cr.
Have Double Walls.
The wooden sheds have double walls
to exclude cold. and are covered with
plates Of eternite e. kind Of asbest-
granite, impervious to the wet). Each
sleep in little rooms designed for five
by huge stoves.
Meals are served in great common
dining rooms for 1000 persons each.
With long tables and benches alongside
These dining sheds stand close to the
kitchen. where ten big stoves are kept
going all day for cooking. No separate
sleeping buildings and no smoking
elthcr--all for fear Of a possible fire,
wnicn might have most disastrous con-
sequences In this town Of timber. The
whole town Is electrically lighted.
Hussars guard it's outer approac he's
and 1t Is policed inside by more SOL
diers; This Is very necessary. for not
ali the fugitives are Of the kind that
t1,re.na love law and l. order; II NECESSARY dis
prison sheds, one for the men (Caledo-
nial. the other for the women (Conso).
which stand In an inclosure of barbed
wire IN the middle Of the town. Be-
sides these useful but unpleasant pub
lic buildings. there are several others,
an assembly hall. a postoffice, a church
and a school,
There also is a s.ore-just one--where
those few fugitives who still posse 50
money given them can buy some little
extras for themselves. The fugitives at
the camp at Oldebroek are all being
moved TO this new town. which is less
exposed to the winds. Besides unlesH
large number Of fresh refugees come
In. the Oldeboerk camp will have to be
restored to its original posscssor, the
Dutch army.
EIDE Another rOwnsite.
Another large refugee town for To- 0OQ
people is being built at EIDE, also in
Gelderland. and other camps arc to be
made in other hcalthful localities. for
it has been found absolutely necessary
TO evacuate the first fugitive camps
those In north Brabant. Zeeland, and
Limburg.
The camp near Bersen-op-Zoom, in
Erabant, was entirely unsuitable fot
housing people in wet and cold weather
1t became a pool OF mud, and the linen
tents did not afford proper shelter from
! the cold, nor could flres be allowed IN
them for fear OF confagration.
In kind OF way the Belgians in these
| refuge towns govern themselves, al.
though tho burgomaster Is appointed BY
| the Dutch government. Under hin
! stand the several parish priests, who
| know their fiocks. having fed with Their.
to Holland. The priests choose trust.
worthy men to keep order in the vari
ous sections and to be spokesmen fol
the people II they have anything to re-
| quest Every day the burgomaeteI
makes the rounds Of his town himself
! and anyone that wishes may speak t
| him personally.
| The refugees already are busy making
| roads through their parks or squares, a!
they call the bits of open heath tina
| have been left FREQ from buildings
Taken as a community. the Bclsians
| town" can compare quite favorably il
| this respect with its Dutch neighbors.