Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-13
No Let-Up in Work.

NEW YORK, February 13.-More than
100000 persons who have been fed
through the efforts of the American
commission for relief in Belgium will
suffer no immediate hardship from the
Withdrawal of the American commits
sion from participation in this work in
Belgium and northern France caused
by the German authorities. Upon his
return from Boston today Herbert c.
Hoover, chairman of the commission.
took up plans already under way for
transferring control of this relief to
another neutral organization.
Mr.. Hoover said that six weeks sup
ply of food valued at $25 200, 900 had
been stored in warehouses in the vari-
Gus districts where the relief commits
sion had been active. Belgian officials
who have been in charge of this food
viii be authorized to administer its dis
tribution until plans for the reorgani-
eaton of the work can be put into
effect. There is no doubt in the minds
of Mr.. Hoover and his assistants that
such plans can be worked out success
fully and that relief continued without
interruption provided the Germans do
not interfere
The American commission, barred
from Belgium and northern France, will
continue its activities toward obtaining
funds and will cooperate with the new
organization formed to distribute sup
plies. 1t is hoped that the work will
be taken up by a joint board of Dutch
and Spanish
Notification that American citizens
could no longer occupy positions in
connection with the relief commission
IN the occupied territories of France
and Belgium came from Baron Won Der
Lancken, civil governor of Brussels.
and reached the officers of the commits
sion here through their representa-
tives in Brussels and London
Some Americans Allowed to Remain.
The German governor expressed a.
willingness to permit few Americans,
among them Brand Whitlock, American
minister to Belgium. to reside in Brus-
sells and exercise general supervision
over the work. but said that automo-
biles and other means of communica-
ton would be denied Americans
After consultation with Mr. Hoover
the London directors instructed Warren
c. Gregory, director in Brussels to tell
the German authorities that the Amer
leans would officially withdraw from
the work in the occupied districts All
OF ar. Gregorys men win leave Bel
gsaail1a Immediately, except a few who
remain to close the commissions af-
fairs and see that there is no Interrupt
ton in the service pending it's reorgan-
iZation.
PARIS, February 13-The Marquis
de N1llalobar, Spanish minister to Bel
GUM, has offered to confer with Her
bert c. Hoover, chairman of the Bel
Gian relief commission, in either Hol-
land or London, according to the
Figaro. The Spanish minister. accord
ing to the paper. is anxious to devise
means for the immediate continuation
of the work of relief for the population
OF Belgium and northern France.
Deep regret at the expulsion by Ger
man military authorities of the Ameri-
and northern France was EXPRESSED
officially at the State Department to-
day, where it was said that there was
absolutely nothing that this govern
ment could do to secure a revocation of
the military order.
Negotiations are now going on direct
ly between Chairman Herbert c.
Hoover and the relief commissioners
with the Spanish and Dutch govern
mentS, which are expected to form a
joint commission to take over the work.
Some months ago the British govern
ment intimated that it would not con-
tinue the relief privileges unless they
were administered by Americans but
it is hoped that this attitude NAV be
changed when the new arrangements
are presented to the British for their
approval.