The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-16
Americans are doing in the occupied


 In order to secure permission to enter Belgium MT. Hemphill had to Eo to Der lin, where he spent several days. He said:
 T was greatly impressed while in Ser lin with the difference of opinion which exists among prominent Germans as to the advisa bility of permitting continuation of the present system of relieving the Belgians. The shortage of food supplies in Germany has given rise to -considera bIe criticism of the German governments ac- ton in agreeing to the allies demand that the whole of the native food SUD- lilies in Belgium should be handed over to the relief organization for the sole use of the Belgians. An influential German section maintains that at least a portion of the native supplies produced in Bel gium are the rightful fruits of conquest. and that as long as there is any possibil- ity of Germen women and children and German soldiers being in want of food, Belgiums native production should be confiscated, and the Belgians left to the mercy of her allies
 Another internal criticism levelled at the German government is that the policy Of permitting relief supplies to be dis tributed merely prolongs the passive re- sistance which is still practically univer- sal among the 100000 Belgians who are unaer German rule. However. despite the serious opposition on both these scores l am confident that the more humane policy authorized by the Ger man chancellor will continue to prevail.
 When l got to Brussels my first inn pFession was that everything was nor nal, except the absence of vehicles owing to the scarcity of horses and the prohibi- pie are well clad. the shops are open and everyone goes about his daily life much the same as in London or New York. At the markets l saw people buying and sell ing-mostly vegetables-and business be- ing freely transacted in the ordinary way That was on the surface. When I went to the relief stations where over 30 per cent of the population, who are wholly destitute, get their soup and other provi- ton of motors except to few. The peo- sions, l saw in the waiting queues, not only the needy class that one would ex- pect to see but well dressed men, women and children. In Brussels and elsewhere the human lines that daily wait for the small ration provided by the charity of the world are marked by this same sad feature. Destitution is not only wide spread but there are now on the bread lines thousands of the upper classes who never dreamed of coming to such a pass
 EXTERNAL CALM
 Tt is only after being in Brussels for a little time, and after visiting Charleroi Malines Antwerp, Liege and other places that one realizes how misleading are first impressions. The outward appearance of no4mality is sustained only by the fact that relief to the value of over 1 200 900 I- se IL. 4-s country every month. The external calm is an amazing tribute to the efficiency of the system whereby the relief organiza- ton provides and distributes to this whole nation supplies without which there would be chaos and unthinkable suffering.
 Both in America and England a good deal of uneasness somewhat nat urally exists as to the relief supplies actually reaching the Beigians I dis cussed this point thoroughly with re- sponsible Belgians and with the Amer jeans who are supervising the dlstri- button, besides keeping my own eyes open for any indica tions of confisca- tion by the Germans. As result I am convinced that the relief supplies sent Into Belgium reach, in their entirety, the Belgian people. Except local incl dents always remedied. heard of no instance whatever of the Germans breaking their guarantee to respect the food which the allied governments allow to be brought through the block ade
 T was treated with the most con- sideration by the German officials and I was impressed with the fact tha. there Is genuine desire on the part of the landsturm officers who govern Belgium to get along with the situa- ton with as little friction as possible
 The Belgians still live from day to day in the undimmed expectancy of re- gaining their independence. I might al- most say they live on hope, because if that wonderful spirit were not there. the scanty ration. which is all the re- lief organization can supply, would be inadequate to prevent increased disease and mortality. Brave Is not the word for them.
 Under ordinary circumstances the population would be pauperized by free feeding of the unemployed. This is not the case in Belgium.
 Tn one canteen which I inspected a man came up and made a complaint. There was no meat. he said, in his soup. He had long given up the Idea Of being given meat as part of his daily meal. but if he was to live, he de- clared, he must get some of the nour- ishment that meat provides. He was right. There was practically no meat in the soup. But what is one to do? Such meat as there is in the country Is $1.50 per pound