The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-05
All Other PhiIanthropic Work in Europe, How
 ever, Will Stop at Once
MILLION PRISONERS
 TO LOSE PROTECTION
Diplomatic Structure Torn Down When Word Given That Relations Are Broken Off-German
 Interests Will Suffer

Washington. February An entire diplomatic structure to protect probably 2.oo0Oo0 prisoners in the midst of their enemies, to care for a whole conquered na ton in Belgium, to represent the ln- te1ests of four sovereign states in Ger many and German interests in nine enemy countries crumbled yesterday before Ger man necessity. One of the most com plex, ultralegal, humanitarian machines ever evolved, the slow, patient work punt during two and a half years of willing et- ficient service, was sacrificed before Ger many's desperate challenge to the whole neutral world in a last attempt to reach England, her arch-enemy.
 American organization, genus ana American means of restraint will cease
 to operate. All American representatives will be withdrawn from Germany and the duties they have ef- ficiently performed, except looking after Belgium, will fall on untrained forces. The physical parts of the organization, as far as possible, will stand as they are embassies, legations and office bulId- tngs continuing under their new directing forces, but the hand and heart that built their invaluable files and records Will retire
 From Belgium the United States will not withdraw till the military conquerors make it impossible for her to continue. The 100 Americans who have from the wars beginning proved the directing genius for the greatest and the longest sustained relief work in history Will re- main at their posts until the Germans thQ frontier. Brand W Nhitlock, American minister to Belgium, will remain in Brussels until forced to the present seat of the Belgian govern ment in Havre, France.
 BELGIAN MINISTER CALLS
 Minister Havenith called at the depart ment yesterday afternon in the greatest anxiety at this latest blow to Belgium His feelings were torn between the stun ming possibility of the withdrawal of American relief, and the joy at the thought of another neutral standing be- hind his nations resurrection.
 Belgian relief ships will continue to run for the present, it is understood here, and every attempt made to secure their immunity from German attack. If food from this country is cut off, Belgium will be reduced to an almost helpless state. as it will be impossible to spare either food or tonnage from the other belliger- ent or neutral nations If the United States is hampered in this work, it will be regarded by entente synpathizers as the final act to make Germany an out law nation.
 PRISONERS LOSE FRIEND
 As to prisoners the United States rep resents the interests of at least 1000. 900 and probably 100000 men in the coun- tries from which Germany has forced the withdrawal Of American diplomats. Often it has been only such officials who have stood between these helpless un- fortunates, unbefriended in the midst of an enemy country and threatened re- prisal, intolerable prison conditions, in adequate food and even epidemics of dis ease. American officials have been un- tiring in their efforts under conditions almost intolerably difficult.
 Germany's interests in seven countries and the large sections of Egypt and Morocco have been turned away from American sympathy and aid to whatever neutral Germany can find to accept the work. The state department today in structed it's officials representing German interests in England, France, Russia, Ja- pan, Rumania, Servia, Greece, Egypt and Morocco to suspend all activities along that line and await information to be