The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-23
n. o.c. CARMICHAEL


 London. April 7.-(Special Core spondence )-There is no sight more patheic than that of large industrioai and manufacturing town few weeks after it has been largely laid in runs by an invading army. Most Of the peo- pie here had time to return, only To find their houses destroyed. damaged or footed. and their jobs gone.
 This was the condition of Malines on my first visit there in December SIX weeks before that the town had been taken after the sixth bombardment and at that time some two-thirds of no maj population of 60,00o had returned In the center of the town there were between three and four hundred houses destroyed and many more damaged to a greater or less extent, As l first saw the town. there were, one might say hundreds of children, with here and there a mother with child in arms begging a few centimes from whenever they chanced to meet. Most of the men and boys were wandering about the streets without work or any prospect of it soon.
 Such was the impression received on the first visit to Malines, and the facts of the actual conditions, subsequently, learned, have shown that the first inn pression was not exaggerated Over 25,OOO in Bread Line In the city at present there are about 45 900 souls, and out of that number there are between 25,000 and 30,00o. in the bread and soup line, that is to say who come every day for their liter Of soup and 225 grams of bread. Most Of the time after the bombardment up to January there was only sufficient bread for four days in the week, while on the other three days potatoes were dis- tributed. Since January, however, the bread supply has been continuous. In addition to the eight soup kitchens which do such effective work in feed l ing 30,000 people there are three milk | kitchens whose function it is to pre- pare and distribute to the mothers with very young children, a certain kind of milk and rice soup. They give out at the same time to the children, carefully prepared wilk, of such quality as to suit a child of whatever age it happens to be. One of the most touching sights one can see in all Beligum is milk kitchen crowded with mothers with their tiny babies.
 These soup and milk kitchens are furnished almost exclusively with prod ucts sent in by the commission, such as peas, beans, rice. condensed milk, etc. One of the greatest needs at pres ent is a supply of meat. Many of the cattle have been requisitioned and the few that are left have been underfed, owing to lack of foodstuffs, so that now 1 they are practically to the end of their meat supply.
 Courage and Spirit of People In even a brief account of the con ditions and needs in Belgium one can not refrain from saying a few words about the wonderful courage and spirit l of ''try again., which the people dis 1 play everywhere in their efforts to help themselves. All fear worse results from the retreating than from the invading | army. and yet, notwithstanding that, they are courageously striving to bring order out of chaos, to right conditions which they have reason to believe may be upset again in a few months. Most of the bricks in the ruins of the town have been cleaned and stacked. ready for use again. The sites of the old structures are being cleared off ready for the new.
 Sewing schools have been established
 
 are without work.
 Practically all the horses of the town have been requisitioned but they have made dogs serve the purpose of trans portation, and their effectiveness and adaptability is really remarka ble. Three of these little creatures loping along with burden of from two to five peo- pie In cart is common sight. One even sees occasionally donkey and a dog or sheep and dog pulling side by side.
 Making use of Horses
 In the country districts the farmer who is fortunate enough to own horse exchange horse labor for man labor and thus the horses are made full use of. Much of the land, however, has been turned by spade, where horses were not available. They have been busy for several weeks preparing their potato ground. potatoes being their staple crop or their truck gardens.
 Next to the distress of the people one is struck by the really marvellous spirit of patience and courage exhibited by the Belglans. It Is the same bravery and heroism that was displayed in early September and October for which France and England owe a debt of gratitude, and before which the whole world stood in admiration.