The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-03-27
Relief Chairman Hoover
Completes Negotiations
for Their Care
CIVILIANS BEHIND
GERMAN LINES
Are Desperate-Cost Is Es-
timated at 100000
a Month

London, March 27.-Herbert c. Hoover,
chairman OF the American commission
for relief in Belgium, who returned to
London from Paris Thursday, announced
that the negotiations for feeding $500,
900 French civilians who are behind the
German lines have been completed. The
arrangements We're settled between Mr..
Hoover and French delegates from the
north, whom the Germans permitted TO
Journey to Paris by way of Switzer-
land to attend the conference.
For the past two months the commits.
sion has been reluctantly extending the
distribution of relief farther and farther
southwark from the Belgian frontier into
France and for the past month has been
feeding over 100000 French persons be-
tween Maubeuge and Sedan.
In anticipation that arrangements
would be made which would meet with
the approval of all parties, the commits
sion already has purchased additional
supplies These are now arriving in
Rotterdam and the people of Lille, Cam
brat and other cities in this part OF
France will be relieved within the next
few DAYS. The condition of these peo-
pie, chiefly women and children, is des-
perate. Old age and infant mortality
has Increased with extraordinary rapid
ity under the very restricted supply and
the coarse character Of the food avail
able
"1he French government" said Mr..
Hoover, twas unable TO come TO the as
sistance OF the unfortunate people, so
the commission arranged a series OF
banking credits on behalf of the vari-
GUS communal authorities which are cut
off from the rest of the country by the
German army. The French delegates es-
innate that in addition TO such stores
as still remain. they can keep their peo-
ple alive on ration OF 6l5 ounces OF
flour. one ounce of beans, one ounce OF
rice and one ounce of bacon per day, to-
pether with a sufficient supply Of con-
densed milk and cocoa for extremely
young children.
"The total COST is estimated at from
50. 500 900 TO 100000 per month, and
the commission il now in a position "a
state that IL can see its way clear 70
carry on this work for the next two
months. The work of distribution in
northern France will be accomplished by
an extension OF the organization al
ready existing in Belgium.
"The commission is establishing four
principal warehouses at provincial CEN
tres from which the foodstuffs will be
distributed to reimbursement ware
houses and the system operated as in
Belgium. the warehouses and transporta-
ton being under the supervision and
control Of American members Of the com
mission and the financial measures un'
der the French committee.
"The German government has given
the necessary sympathetic support "a
the work and there is no lack Of benev-
olence among the French in their desire
70 assist their own people. The com
mission does not intend 10 appeal 70 the
world for help in this French problem
but feels confident that IL can carry the
load by means Of the machinery which
has Just been set up.
ssTbe direction OF the whole orgaui'
zation in Belgium and France remains
under the control Of Thomas Connect
former manager Of the Brussels street
railway. Clifford Pinchot has joined the
commission as member and viii take
charge of one Of the sections around
lille. with the conclusion Of this ar
rangcment. regarding France between
100000 and 100000 persons viii be-
come dependent upon the American com
mission for their daily bread"