The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-03
NOVEL TOWN BUILT
FOR WAR VICTIMS
Belgian Refugees in Holland
Are Housed in Structures Of
New Design.
OLD CAMPS ABANDONED

HARDERwiJK. Netherlands. Jan. "A
new Belgian town in Gelderland. not far
from here. and about five minutes walk
from the picturesque village o. Nunspect,
has arisen in the last month. II has more
inhabitants than any other In the Veluwe.
the well wooded. hllly heathland OF the
province OF Gelderland.
The town is one OF the cities Of refuge
FOR the Belgian fugitvcs that are being
IT have been constructed In various parts
II Holland and this particular place Is
made ready for a population of 10000.
\ large tract of heather grown soil has
been fenced in with barbed wire, and
within this enclosure has been built
own OF wooden buildings. town In
hree parts, each separated from tho
others by long, wide stretches Of heather.
The wooden sheds have double walls
10 exclude cold, and are covered with
mates Of oternte "a kind Of asbest-
granite. impervious to the wcD. Each
building can shelter $50 persons, who
sleep in little rooms designed for i've per-
sons each. The buildings are heated by
huge stoves.
Meals arc served i'm great common din
ing rooms for 1000 persons each, with
long tables and benches alongside. These
iluluk NlltuN Sldlu tlbHt 10 inc hllt0tHs
where ten big stoves are kept going all
day for cooking No separate cooking b.
allowed IN the living and sleeping build
ngs and no smoking cither--all for fear
~ poss BILE fire. which might have most
disastrous consequences in this town OF
timber The whole town is electrically
lighted.
Hussars guard it's outer approaches and
4 is poiced inside by more so diers. This
very necessary. for not all the fugitives
are of the kind that love law and order.
II necessary dlsturbers can be "interned''
IN the two prison sheds, one for the men
(CBledoniaD, the other for the women
(CongoD. which stand in an enclosure OF
barbed wire In the middle OF the town.
Besides these useful but unpleasant pub
lie buildings there are several others, an
assembly hail, post office, church and
a school.
There also is sturr--just one--where
those few fugtlves who stu possess saw
ings or those who have had some money
given them can buy some little extras for
then. selves. The fugitves at the camp
ut Oldebroek are all being moved to this
new town, which Is lest exposed TO the
winds. Besides, unless a large number
Of fresh refugees come in, the oldebroek
camp will have 10 be restored to its
original poesessor, the Dutch army.
Another large refugee town for TO-.
600 people Is being built at Eide. also in
Gelderland, and other camps are to be
made in other h-althful localities, for
IL has been found absolutely necessary
20 evacuate the first fugitive camps those
in north Brabdnt. Heeland and Limburg
In a kind OF way the Belgians In these
refuge towns govern themselves, although
the Burgomaster is appointed by the
Dutch Government. Under him stand the
several parish priests. who know their
tiocks. having fled with them to Hol-
land. The priests choose Trustworthy men
to keep order In the various sections and
TO be spokesman for the people n they
have anything 20 request. Every day
the Burgomaster makes the rounds Of his
town himse.f and any one that wishes may
peak to him personally.