The Washington times., 1915-05-26
BELGIAN RELIEF:
MAY END IN AUGUST
Allies Won't Guarantee That
Germany Will Not Appropriate
Crops Grown There.
CONTINUED from First Page.)

NSOUtIHueu Il iISl dst'I
German people and army on a fighting
not permit such thing; especially as 1t
would mean that the outside world,
through charity, would again have to
feed the Belgians after they had spent a
While the administration Of the Bel
CLAN relief has been in the hands of
Americans, II has been funded by the
gifts of the whole world. including great
sums from the people Of England and
forces have permitted supplies to go
into Belgium with the very definite
guarantee that they are to be used for
the Belgian people. not to sustain the
German army or civilians. nor to take
be appropriated for the Germans.
Ultimatum of Allies.
Thus far these arrangements have
been possible because the allies have
assented to them. But with a new crop
It will be used to feed Germans while
charity will again have to care for the
Belgians who raised 1t. England and
France are getting tired-very tired.
They want to be very certain that they
are not going to be contributing indi-
rectly to sustain the German commits
sariat: and. unable to get any assur-
ances on this point. they have taken
their case right up to the German EN-
peror.
The allies have made their position
plain from the time the new crop
comes to hand. August ], they will nfr-
mit no more relief supplies to go Into
Belgium unless the Germans shall give
the necessary guarantees and provide
the relief authorities with facilities to
Insure that these guarantees are liter
ally executed.
Attitude of Washington.
Nobody in England. and seemingly
nobody In diplomatic Washington. be-
lieves that these guarantees will be
forthcoming. This can mean only that
the outside world will be shut off from
helping Belgium. In that event. Belgium
Will have to starve or else be per-
| mitted by Germany to eat it's own crop.
There will be no other alternative.
The knowledge that this crisis was
| approaching has served in England
where the American colony Is largely
interested and engaged in the relief
attitude Of the Washington Govern.
| ment. British censorship has not per.
mitted the imminence and seriousness
of this situation to be generally under
| stood by the outside world. But in
formed people consider that unless Ger
| many yields there will be only one hope
for Belgium and that will be in the d.
| rect interference of the American Gov
ernment In behalf OF humanitarian
| treatment of the Belgian people. Tha
this Interference will be made a policy
| Of the Washington Administration is 9
hope that few people in France and
| England entertain. and perhaps fewel
yet in official Washington.
American Prestige Suffers.
Since the loss Of the Lusitania, Amer
icar prestige has been suffering greatl.
In England. Private and semi-officia
| advices, which are just beginning L
get through to Washington by mail an,
through returning travellers. are tina
Americans have been put on the de
fensive In many and humiliating ways
| Thus on the morning of May IA tn
London Financial News printed. In 1t
leading editorial position. this:
A Pointed Question.
Here Is the Latest City Suggestion
| for a Recruiting Poster:
| ARE YOU,
LIKE WILSON,
| TOO PROUD
| TO FIGHT"
The demand for a vigorous attitud
| on the part Of the Washington Govern
ment is being strengthened here by tn