The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-09-07

selves are cooperating magnificently.
Without their urflagging support and
pubic spirited work the efforts Of those
throughout the world who, regardless
OF nationality. sympathize with the
Belgian people would fail of their pur-
pose. The Conite National in Brus-
sells, composed Of the leading Belgians
who dared to stay and face the in
vaders, has enrolled thousands of vol-
unteer helpers who are now experts in
this problem of rationing.
Relief Reaches the ReIqians.
Both in America and England good
deal OF uneasiness somewhat naturally
exists as to the relief supplies actually
reaching the Belgians. discussed this
point thoroughly with responsible Bel
CLANS throughout the country and with
the Americans who are supervising the
distribution, besides keeping my own
eyes open for any indications of con-
fiscation by the Germans AS a re-
suit l am convinced that the relief sup
plies sent into Belgium reach, in their
entlrety, the Belgian people. Except
Tor trivial local incidents, which are
Invariably remedied, heard OF no in
stance whatever of the Germans break
Ing their guarantees to respect the food
which the allied governments allow to
De brought through the blockade. AS
REGARDS the home grown produce there
are. probably, still some minor leak
ages-almost inevitable in a country
sarrlsoned by a foreign army-but
can safely say that IS per cent of the
native food supplies 20 towards feed
ing the Belgian people. The inappre-
clable leakages to which refer are al
ways made the subject of negotiations
petWeen the relief organization and the
belllgerent powers.
GU ask me as to what the Belgian
people really think. They don't think
!,
day IN the undimmed expectancy Of re-
gaining their independence / might
also say they live on hope, because II
tnat wonderful spirit We're not there
the scanty ration, which is all the re-
ilef organization can supply would be
inadequate to prevent Increased disease
and mortality.
High German Wages Refused.
Under ordinary circumstances the
population would be pauperized by free
feeding OF the unemployed. This is not
the case in Belgium. In the first place.
| daily diet of soup, bread, sometimes
! potatoes and a little bacon, and oc-
casionally rice and beans, continued
| over two years. does not offer many
| attractions. 1t is only the indomitable
spirit of the people themselves that
makes it bearable. They will be glad
| enough when peace comes to exchange
l
| they can earn by work. AT present. q
| small percentage get few days work
weekly in local industries, such as the
enamel, glass and coal trades, at few
| francs per week. They increasingly re-
fuse wages of from Is to 25 francs a
ing for the Germans. Glass and
enamel ware by consent of the allies.
are being exported in small quantities,
| but the payments for such exports are
retained in allied countries until the
conclusion of the war The German
assertion, that the whole Belgian ma
ton has organized a passive resistance
| doubtedly correct.
In one relief canteen which I in
| spected man came up and made a
| complaint. There was no meat, he
said excitedly, in his soup. He had
| long given up the idea Of receiving
he was to live. he declared he must get
some OF the nourishment 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 $3.50 per
| pound
Tho Plight Of tho Children.
There are 100000 children in Bel
gian entirely dependent urn9 the tender
| heartedness of the outside world. A
large percentage Of the remaining g.
are partially dependent upon relief
The problem of bringing them up and
| even Of keeping them alive is becom-
ing more and more grave. The relief
organization has just started an extra
ordinarily interesting experiment tc
meet the emergency Of short milk sup
plies in Industrial centers. They have
asked the peasants to lend. free Of
charge for one year, one COW from each
OF their herds to communal hero
which will provide milk for the chill
dren. In Antwerp, the herd now num-
bers over 400 cattle. In other centers
the peasants are responding excellent
ly to the appeal. At the end of the year
the COWS will be returned to their own
ers, who will be compensated for the
loss of any Of their cattle.
1T was a relief to turn from the COM
plexities and hardships apparently in
evttable in connection with the feeding
Of these unfortunate children to the
splendid results of Americas recent re-
spouse to the appeal for clothing In
| Brussels l visited the distributing cen
tiers and there saw huge quantities OF
cloth and garments from the United
States being redistributed to different
parts of the country. In Antwerp
saw 500 Belgian women and girls under
one roof busily employed in making uI
their share Of this cloth into suits OF
dresses or altering ready made cloth
ing. The material over which they
bent their heads had come from every
state in the union, from California tc
| New York. l only wished that the
| generous donors were with me to sec
the joy 1t brought and also the bust
nessike way in which it was prepared
for local requirements, and then dis
crilnlnately given to those most il
| need.
"a Marvel Of Efficiency.n
MY visit to Belgium gave me my
first opportunity to see for myself the
actual working of the relief system I,
is a marvel OF efficiency and devotion
AS an American l am proud not only
Of my fellow countryman, Mr. Herbert
1 Hoover, to whose genius for organiza-
ton the whole structure owes its con
tinued existence through a thoueant
heart breaking difficulties, but of those
| Americans who, SO self sacrffic{ngl3
and self effacingfy, are devotfng them
selves in the occupied territory to keep
ing the Belgian nation alive. M. E,ni3e