Semi-weekly herald., 1915-06-17
By LAFAYETTE YOUNG.

VI Tie aSSOcalttOn organized 1Or re-
lief in Belgium. The carrying ON of
the work has been extremely difficult
all the time.
Belgium is under complete military
control. The German army looks aft
err everything. The regulations are
established by the German and Bel
GUM has German military COVER
nor, who is supreme over everybody
and everything in Belgium.
: This German governor has looked
upon the Belgian Relief association as
either an American speculation or n
scheme for the introduction of Amer
lean sries. The business of war ap-
pears to create suspicion in regard to
everything and everybody. The pub
lie is not quite familiar with the diff
ficulties under which the Belgian Re-
lief association has operated hereto
fore.
Rotterdam as Headquarters.
Rotterdam, Holland, is the initial
point, practically the field headquar-
ters of the system of Belgian relief
inauguraited and carried on by the
rich men of America, Canada and 9TH
er countries. America has not been
alone in furnishing the means. The
organization is American because
America is neutral country and
therefore in condition to be admitted
where persons from belligerent coun-
tries could not be.
The ships bearing food products
from various parts of the world make
their landings at Rotterdam. At that
place everything is unloaded into the
warehouses or into canal barges. Ev-
cry important place in Belgium is
reached by canal from Rotterdam.
There is a canal direct from Rotter-
dam to Brussels and it is contem-
plated, after the war, that this par
ticular stretch of canal be dredged
out so that ships may go to Brus-
sells, making it seaport. Belgium
was at one time in partnership with
Holland in governmental respects and
has absorbed the canal habit.
Belgians Cooperate.
The day l left Rotterdam Mr.. C. A.
Young of Minneapolis, Mimi, who
has charge of all the Belgian
relief work at Rotterdam, bought
from the government of Holland food
products to the amount of $3.50 900.
He had on hand in Rotterdam $780,
900 and the remainder of the money
he would get from London.
Mr.. Herbert Hoover is general
manager of the entire Belgian relief
system, with headquarters in Lon
don. He had directed the purchase
of the nearly half million dollars
worth of food supplies and said he
would furnish the remainder of the
money.
The suggestion has been made also
that all the supplies on hand at Rot
terdam be sent into Belgium as speed
lily as possible. In various Belgian
cities there are great warehouses fill
ed with food supplies. Of course
there is clothing and miscellaneous
supplies also. But the main bulk is
in food supplies. These sub-distri-
button points in Belgium are in
charge of well known and thoroughly
responsible Belgians who work free
of charge in the distribution Of sup
plies to those who are out Of en-
ployment and have no means of sup
port.
Had it not been for the co-opera-
ton of rich and influential Belgians
the American organization for relief
in Belgium could not have been made
successful.
Work at High Tension.
Everything inside the Belgian relief
organization is at high tension on ac-
count of the strained relations be-
tween the United States and Ger
many. The Americans engaged in the
relief work say that the situation
was difficult enough before the de-
struction of the Lusitania. Now their
work is almost impossible. Every
courier and every automobile driver
in the relief work is prepared to get
out Of Belgium on a moments notice.
II is anticipated that every Amer
ican found in German territory after
diplomatic relations shall be cut off,
will be interned until afr the war Is
over. Particular friends of mine in
Berlin urged me every day to get out
Of Germany or else be prepared to
live on soup in some interior camp
until the conclusion Of peace.
The rumor has repeatedly como
from Germany that Americans have
been urged to get out Of Germany for
their own sake. This has also been
denied. But / know that waa urUad