New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-28
Country Must Have Help to
Retain Its Strategical
Importance in War
People Without Meat
No Shoes or Clothing for Peas
ants; $4,000 Destitute
Orphans in Villages

JASSY, Rumanis, Oct. 10 (via Petro-
grad. Oct. 2D.-Rumania is in danger
Of starvation and restitution unless ur-
gent steps are taken TO relieve the food
and clothing situation. Investigation
By The Associated Press correspondent
indicates that help must come soon If
the country is to retain its strategical
Importance in the war. The Rumanian
army has been fighting with admirable
courage and spirit. although its sup
plies Of provisions and wearing apparel
have been on a limited scale.
The death rate among Rumanian chill
dren, due 20 malnutrition, is appal-
lingly large because of the serious
shortage in wheat, rice, meat and other
vital articles Of food. Meat is no
longer issued to the civilian popula-
ton, and the bread ration Is limited
TO less than a pound a day for each
person. Among the peasantry, which
comprises so per cent of the popula-
ton, the suffering is particularly acute.
Their already slender allowance Of
eornmeal, which forms almost their
sole subsistence, has been reduced.
Corn VIII Last Till February
The supply Of dairy products IS neg
ligible. The government has sufficient
corn 70 feed the peasants until Febru-
airy. but there are virtually no shoes.
clothing or blankets to be had. The
hospitals are without food suitable TO
the sick, and there is a serious lack Of
essential drugs, medicines and lnstru-
ments.
In the villages it is estimated there
are more than $4,000 orphans without
adequate food or clothing. Queen Marie
is actively interesting herself in their
welfare. There is dire need of shoes,
stockings and warm clothing of various
kinds. Common burlap is wrapped
about the feet, as it is impossible TO
get the leather for the moccasins worn
By the peasants. The government also
is finding 1t difficult to supply the
army with footwear. The correspondent
was offered $40 for the shoes he was
wearing. Rumania is looking hopefully
to America to supply her needs.
100000 In Need of Food
The government is confronted with
the problem Of feeding during the cur
rent agricultural year population of
nearly 100000, with resources OF
100000 tons of wheat and less than
100000 head Of cattle. The normal
requirement is 100000 tons Of wheat.
The authorities are hopeful that Russia
may be induced TO give Rumania the
entire wheat product Of Bessarabia. 1t
is understood here that pressure TO
this end is being exerted by the Allied
governments.
Tens Of thousands Of horses and
cattle must die this winter for lack
Of fodder, since the supply was eX-
hausted two months ago. When il Is
remembered that the army is largely
dependent upon oxen for its transport,
it may be seen how critical is the
situation Il is estimated that if the
whole number of cattle was slaughtered
hardly enough meat for six months
would be supplied.
Typhoid, dysentery and iaundice are
prevalent and the government fears
the recurrence Of the typhus epidemic.
The American Red Cross commission
is lending effective aid in providing
medical facilities. In a short time it
will have two hospitals ready, with a
combined capacity of 1000 beds.