Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1915-02-13
AMERICAN CONSUL
To BRUSSELS SAYS
GERMANS ARE VERY
CLEVER WARRIORS
(By Associated Press.)

10y ASSOCldIeQ Hf6SS.J
BRUSSELS, Feb. 13.-Brand Whit
lock, the American minister in Brus-
sells, and Henry W. Diederich, the Am
erican Consul General in Antwerp, who
were sources from whom The Associat-
ed Press correspondent sought infor-
nation as to the progress of relief
work, both declared that the German
authorities were cooperating so far as
possible in the service which outsiders
were trying to render to the distressed
Belgians.
Mr.. Whitlock, fresh and alert not
withstanding the strain of the past few
months, is still actively interested in
the work of the American Relief Com
mittee, and discussing it's importance,
he said:
There are places where the cessa-
ton of our work for a week would
mean starvation. believe that it's ces-
sation for three weeks would mean
hunger throughout Belgium. A Ger
man officer said to me yesterday that to
stop it for day would mean suffering
in some localities"
The Committee is now so systemat-
ically established, that it's headquarters
occupy no less than twenty-five rooms,
which, like the offices of an American
sky-scraper, are lettered at the door
with the names of the various depart
ments.
Throughout Brussels there is such
magic in the word American" that ev-
en- the cabman no longer posters Amer
leans for tips. Hand him the exact
fare, if he knows you are American, he
VIII oIIlllS anu say uduh HOu' dHu
appear to be sufficiently rewarded with
the honor of having an American for
his fare. 1t is trifiing thing, but in
strong contrast to the ante-bellum days
when Brussels cabman looked to Am
orleans for big tips, and was never sat
isfied, however big the tip might be.
Although there is much bitter want
in all Belgium, Brussels, to one who
knew the city well before the war,
looks-apart from the German uni
forms in the street-much as in normal
times. Striking, however, is the num-
Der of beggars, mainly old women and
very young children, and the swarm of
vendors, chiefly of postcards. At night
there is the same ceaseless promenad-
ing through the main streets that has
always formed such a characteristic
picturesque part of life in the Belgian
capital, but at II o'clock most Of tn
street lights are extinguished and the
bars and cafes are closed.
This early closing, and the fact that
only beer and light wines are permitted
to be sold, are the chief outward evil
dences of the strict German rule of the
conquered city. These conditions, how
ever, are more apparent than real.
The German soldiers are good pat
IONS Of the shops; paying for their
purchases in cash, but the buying pow
er of the people is steadily-and rapid
ly-growing less. Industry except il
some of the coal and iron mines along
the Meuse between Liege and Hugs, is
PROSTATE. The bettGr-class people re-
naming are living on their incomes or
savings; the poorer on charity. In the |
Bon Marche, for instance, one of tie
largest of the Brussels stores, there
appear to be only about third as
many clerks as before the war, and the
same is true of other establishments. A
large lace factory visited by the cor,
respondent was quite idle.
There are no more Americans, no
more English, no more Spaniards, Wis
iting u.s." said the young woman in
charge. "The girls who worked here
are in the fields"
In Antwerp conditions are far worse.