The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-01-25
BRUTALITIES IN
BELGIUM WOULD
MAKE YOU SICK
--LALLA vANDERvELDE.
Cabinet Minister'S Wife Will
Not Discuss Homeland
Atrocities, Though
COMES TO SEEK SUCCOR
FOR HER COUNTRYMEN
Speaks Tonight in Board of
COmmerce-Funds Contribut-
ed Will Be Spent Here
COMES TO SEEK SUCCOR
FOR HER COUNTRYMEN


Maintaining a strict neutrality In
the face Of reports she is constantly
receiving as TO conditions prevailing
in her stricken country. and with the
memory OF scenes she has witnessed
with her own eyes still fresh In her
mind, Is trying ordeal for Nine.
Lalla Vandervelde, wife Of the Bel
gian minister OF state, who II In De-
troit to raise funds for the relief OF
the Belgian people. However. she
succeeded admirably, Monday morn
ing. In an interview with newspaper
men, in avoiding references to the
merits OF the giant conflict that In
wolves practically all OF Europe and
has reduced her own country to such
pitiable plight
II could tell you OF brutalities and
atrocities that would make you sick
at heart" she said, and IL was with
an effort that she restrained her emo
ton. but | am remaining strictly
neutral during my stay In your coun-
try out of respect for the wishes OF
your president"
But Nine. Vandervelde did consent
to speak OF the wars awful havoc In
Belgium and the destruction OF his
toric towns and ancient buildings that
can never be replaced. because. when
rebuilt. these structures Will have lost
the charm OF age" In one town she
spoke of, only the Gothic town hall
was left standing.
"But what will il look like when
II is surrounded by buildings OF mod
ern construction? she inquired with
a sigh.
Nine. vandervelde is in the city to
address a meeting in the Detroit
Board OF Commerce auditorium, Mon
day evening, under the auspices OF
the Detroit Belgian relief committee.
to which the general public Is invited
She is the guest of Charles b. warren,
president OF the Board OF Commerce,
and Mrs. Warren. Mr.. Warren Is also
chairman or the local relief commit
tee and has just been made CHAIRMAN
for Michigan.
In introducing Nine. Vanderyeide'
Monday evening, Mr.. Warren VIII an
nounce that all money raised mere
through her efforts will be left with
the local committee and will be spent
for food right in Detroit and Michigan.
This plan Is heartily approved oy
Nine. Nandervefde, and has been ear
ried out In other cities she has Visit
ed. The supplies purchased Win
these funds will be forwarded 10 New
York for shipment to Belgium, the re-
lief commission, which has us mead
quarters In London, paying all Trans
portation charges.
Nine. yandervelde Is charming
woman to meet. There Is just the
trace of a foreign accent noticeable
In her speech. and IL adds a certain
charm to her words. Her earnestness
of purpose, mingled with sympathy
for her people, is reflected In pair
of frank blue eyes as she tells or nei
self-appointed mission. which has al
ready resulted In raising $26O,000 ioi
the relief work.
"T had a report only this morning,
said the madame, from a Philadel
phia man who went over with one Oh
the food ships, and he tells me thai
conditions In Belgium are sealiy
frightful. In one town which normal
" has a population Of 5000. but one
family has come back. and that IL
only one instance.
However. in spite or the large
number of refugees still In Engiant
and Holland, there are about 7,OOO,00s
scattered through Belgium and these
people must be cared for
The Germans have closed dowi
the Belgian Industries and have ap
propriated the native food suppl!
for their own armies. 30 the Belgian
people are absolutely dependent OIL
the outside world for food" Nine
vandervelde continued. ut must b
said for the Germans, however, tina
they are not taking any Of the foot
sent into my country from this side
and are not interfering with II
transportation In any way, 30 there
need be no fear on the part OF thu
people here that food and clothing
bought with their contributions will
not reach those for whom II is in
tended.
"The food ships land at Rotter
dam, where the cargoes are trans
ferred to barges ADJ taken down tn
canal to various ports OF distribu
ton in Belgium. The various mum
CAPABILITIES have charge OF the distri
button, and there is bread line II
every town. where rich and poo
alike are doled out their portions &C
cording to their needs.
There is Belgian commission
for the distribution OF supplies which
10 working in perfect cooperation
with the relief commission.
at was Alex. Powell. an American
newspaper man. who, I believe. spok
here only recently. who advised M
to go to America In behalf of tn