Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-15

New York, Feb. 14-Belgium's pop
ulation has been reduced by 100000 as
q result of the war and her condition
presents situation without parallel in
history. says a report issued tonight by
the Rockefeller foundation from its
war relief commission sent to investi-
gate the effects of the war upon non
combatants. 1t is the first report from
this commission which Went to Bel
GUM last November.
Yet if one is 10 understand the Bel
sian problem" the report says, 1t Is
perhaps necessary to emphasize not
the restitution of few hundred
thousand. but the suddenly enforced
inactivity of q strong and healthy ma
ton of 100000.
This as what makes the Belgian
situation q thing without parallel n
history"
Property Destroyed
OF the destruction Of homes and
property, the report says:
We found people living in cellars
under the ruins of their homes, III
lofts over the coal sheds; saw chill
dren that hod been born in hen cOops
and learned Of one man who consid-
cred that ne was doing well when the
population Of his poultry house was
reduced from % TO Is refugees.
In Wise there were 1900 families.
We did not see a dozen houses stand
ing. In Louveigne 20 out of $50 houses
were destroyed In Tremeloo, half Of
the houses We're razed"
The destruction of stock is of greaI :
er Importance than the destruction CT
houses, the report declares.
The country is pretty we'll cleaned
of horses and oxen" il continues. The
armies have not refrained entirely
from requistioning mich cows. The
peasants are in the greatest terror
that the few animals that belong 10
them may be taken. They are there
fore, killing them and disposing of
selling abundantly at half its usual
price in some places. If this process
continues. such localities will have no
livestock of any sort by Spring"
Regarding the agricultural situa-
ton, the commission found that An
tumn planting has somehow been
done, and that il is conceivable that
Belgium may continue TO raise most IF
her potatoes. fruits and fresh vegeta :
bles.
Germans Save Food
Tn France We found that it was
clearly the policy Of the German occu-
patton, behind the fighting lines, 70
promote the planting of next years
crops and to spare mich cows and
breeding animals. 1t would naturally
be the policy of the German occupa-
ton in Belgium to encourage the rails
ing Of foodstuffs.''
While the German army was fight
ing its way across Belgium" the re-
port continues, the soldiers of both
sides took poultry, food supplies
wines and bedding to the limit Of their
immediate desires or beyond.
Since then the German occupation
has requisitioned grain, canned goods
food supplies, livestock and horses
from towns and countryside. 1t has
also requisitioned such things as cot
ton and wooden stores, both raw and
manufactured, copper fixtures and i'm
PIGMENTS in some factories motor cars
gasoline and any machinery that car
be used in the manufacture Of arma.
ment"
Houses Looted
The commission found that the de.
struction of tools and implements can
not be estimated. In smaller places
and in larger towns like Louivain anc
Malines, where there was fighting o.
| wholesale burning, it appears thai
nearly all remaining houses have beer
looted" the report says. The popula.
ton, the commission recounts, is de-
MED the use Of the telegraph and tel.
ephone and there is no mail or othe,
means of communication with the out.
side world except through German
channels.
German acquisitions are paid for
not in money, but by receipts which
| are said to be often Of the most in.
formal sort, the report declares.
Commerce and industry are thu.
at standstiu. The only trades people
who Go any business are those wht
sell food and clothing. All government
employees (railways, postoffices, etc. }
are, therefore, either necessarily ou
Of work, or are striking against tn,
German occupation"
1.-THE disaster being national il