Evening star., 1917-02-15
ASK KENVOY TOHAU[
DOWN FLAG OF U. S.
German Military Authorities
Make Request of Brand Whit
lock in Brussels
ARE ACTING WITHIN RIGHTS

State Department advices today report
ed officially that Brand Whitlock, Amer
ican minister to Belgium, had been re-
quested. but not ordered, by the German
military authorities to lower the Ameri-
can flag from the legation in Brussels
The department advices made no men,
ton Of American relief workers being
held prisoners, and officials shared the
view Of Herbert c. Hoover. chairman of
the American commission, that it was
improbable. As to the flag incident, it
seemed to be regarded by officials as
more sentimental than actually serious.
although 1t did arouse some feeling. State
Department officials took the view that
the German military authorities were
acting strictly within their rights.
The American minister is accredited
to the Belgian government, not to
Belgium as geographical unit, and
the seat Of the government is at Havre
Mr.. Whitlock remained at Brussels by
permission of the German government
to take part in the relief work. and the
American legation building for all diplo-
matte purposes ceased to be a legation.
Minister'S Status Still Unsettled.
Whether Mr.. Whitlock will continue
on in Brussels as one of the four Amer
leans permitted to continue there in
the administration of Belgian relief. or
whether he will be transferred to his
official position as minister to the
Belgian government at Havre, has not
been decided.
Reports from Berne that American
relief workers in Belgium are held
prisoners by the German military au-
thorities were dfscredited here today
by Herbert c. Hoover. chairman of the
American relief commission. Mr.. Hoover
departure of the Americans from
Belgium into Holland and hoped they
all would be out within q week. at
present there are forty-two American
relief workers in Belgium
Mr.. Hoover was in Washington to-
day consulting State Department Of
f1cials on the best way to reconstruct
the relief work, which the German mill
tarX authorities have forced the Ameri-
cans to give up. 1t is very hard to
know just how to work this out, Mr..
Hoover says, because no other nation
has the trained workers. and the Brit
ish authorities have already said that
the withdrawal of the Americans would
mean the cancellation Of privileges
granted for the relief.
Joint Commission May Do Work.
1t is hoped, however. that a joint
international Dutch and Spanish COM
mission may take it over. with the
work largely directed by Dutch army
officers. although guaranteed by the
two governments. This would have
one great advantage. as the Dutch have
surplus of fats and vegetables which
could be diverted to Belgium The
Netherlands, however, is SO short of
cereals that some 100000 cattle, on
which they depend for butter. milk and
cheese. will be in bad plight unless
sailings of ships are restored.
Mr. Hoover believes that, desperate
as is Belgium's condition, the country
will emerge from the war in better
condition economically than any Of the
European neutrals. provided it is not
destroyed by fighting. He estimates
that the Belgian per capita debt will
| be about $3.50. while that of other bel
Hgerents will jump to from $500 to
$500 Moreover. it is estimated that
GUM in coupons and interest from out :
side countries which has not been able
| to enter the country, but which will be
| paid after the war. Belgian industry,
while partially dismantled by the Ger
mans and considerably slowed up by
| the loss of all foreign trade. is expected
| to revive quickly after the peace.
Mr. Hoover estimates that supplies
now in Belgium will last about six
weeks. German officials feel that the
supply will last while other arrange
ments are being made.
The British ambassador. Sir Cecil
Spring Rice, presented to Secretary
Lansing today a not from his govern.
mont, which concerns the reorganiza-
tion Of the relief work in Belgium. Its
exact nature was mot disclosed when
presented. but wiar rbe latsr.
\ =