Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-09-20
REPORT OF BELGIAN RELIEF
COMMISSION RECORDS THE
DISBURSEMENTS $50,000,000
ASSOCIATED Press Correspondence

(Associated Press Correspondence
London, Sept. 9.-The first complete re-
port of the Commission for Relief in
Belgium, covering the first eight months
of it's existence, reveals that in income
and expenditure the organization forms
the greatest relief movement of history.
The Commission has collected and dis
bursed sac, 100000, $15.O00,000 of which mas
been contributed in the form of money or
gift food by the people of the United
States and the British Empire and Bel
GUM itself. "he bulk of the income has
come from other than purely philanthro-
pic sources, but the raising Of this enor-
nous sum has been exclusively the work
of the commission, which by financial ar
engagements with Belgian individuals and
institutions, exchange Of currency with
Belgium and system of providing the
solvent Belgian inhabitants, has main
tanned the entire population of a nation
for almost a year.
A remarkable feature of the report
which has hitherto received but little no.
tice is the effort being made by the Bel
eians to help themselves. Over so per
cent. of the money expended by the COM
mission in benevolence is being furnished
by Belgians abroad. and large amount
also is being supplied by Belgians in Bel
GUM.
In discussing the report Herbert c.
Hoover, chairman of the Commission,
said: at may cause more surprise
among Americans, who believe that the
United States is provisioning the Belgian
and French people in the track of war.
that only something over s6000,00O dollars
in food, clothes and money have come
from the United States. However, the
American public should realize that the
personnel and political aspects is dis
tinctly American. The American chart
table support, so early and promptly
given, came at the very inception of the
movement when such backing was vital
! to the success of the organization in Civ
| ing it time to build. This support gave
| the commission it's foundation from
which it acquired the moral prestige that
| enabled it to secure vitality necessary
concessions from the various belligerent
| governments. Nor Is the necessity for
! this valued support at all over The
problem becomes more difficult every day
from 1,OOo0 900 last October to 2,75O,O00 in
June, and now grows at the rate of Coz
month. And our resources large as
they are cannot keep pace with the need
| if the charitable public loses interest in
! our work. Moreover. the continued sup.
| port of America is necessary to provide
the Commission with the moral prestige
as an American institution which it now
possesses In the sight of the warning
Powers. and the maintenance of this
prestige can only be secured by the con.
tined sentimental and practical back
| ing of the American people"
| The report includes detailed statements
of the commissions work, such as com.
! plete accounts. of the disposition of 49,
| cargoes of foodstuffs and clothing, and
other statistical data, as well as gen.
eral survey of the situation in Belgium
1t is pointed out that the organization az
| it stands now is the result of constant
up-building, feature of which has beer
the organization of local relief commit.
tees in practically every commune with
federal system of district and provin.
| cial committees with the Comite Ma.
tional at the apex. The relation OF this
structure to the commission Is one Of
| joint endeavor. and the membership OF
\ Americans entirely interlocks the organi.
cation.
The relief operations are divided into
three classes. one to proxision the entir.
population. another to conduct fnancia
relief and exchange operations; and thirt
] to care for the destitute.