New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08

Hayre. Feb. THE Belgian govern
ment. replying to inquiries respecting
the effects upon Belgian relief work OF
the rupture between the United states
and Germany, has made the following
statement:
"The German government, after nav
ing notified President Wilson OF It's de-
termination to begin unrestricted SUI
marine warfare, charged the German
administration at Brussels TO communl-
oa.es its determination to the Ameri-
CON Spanish and Dutch ministers at
BRUSSELS and to the president OF the
National Committee for Belgian Keiiel
ond SUPPLIES. The German adminis'ra-
- ,,de at the same time declara-
+;on affirming that the German govern
I'm. Aid not wish to hinder the feed-
inc Of Belgium by the committee, put
that it intends to impose hencefor,"
upon ships transporting food ior De'-
rum or Northern France the ne" ruie'
imposed upon navigation
"The German government by TINS
communication. has evidently desired
~ load Belgian opinion TO impute 10
England responsibility for all hindranee
Or trouble that might result for the
feeding Of Belgium.
M Anxiety as to England
"Tbis representation of the SITUATION
=. ;no,sct England has always gwen
active cooperation to the ieeui"s
Reloium. and if the continuance OF the
work depended upon the decisions
crost Britain the Belgian government
would not have the least anxiety
"Tbe first difficulty is inherent III
tho pbvsical condition Of navigation III
49,. Tho vessels of the relief commit
coo must call at port TO take eo",
nocossarv for the return voyage ano
,hi, port of call in the present e'rcum-
s,.ncos must be an English port De
cause there is no other at when coai
nav he taken. The second circum-
- .o ;e that the committee OBTAINS
zealand one-fifth of the food neces-
sarv TO provision Belgium
Must Guarantee Immunity
.uf Germany maintains her genera
-. ~ destruction, she VIII opllge
,',rals and Belgium TO conclude that
II l. not sincere when she aHlrhs
~ ~ sbe does not wish to hinder the
sneJ;ng Of Belgium. In reality, the
nh wav in which the German govern
r,aT, NAV prove its sincerity Is 10
c,uarantce complete immunity anu
e,itnout reserve, to the rellet commit
tees ships. : Ubo,
"The first and only question IS, Whst
will be the German government ptae
tice at sea toward RELIEF cornnl''ee
Sims? Yes or no-will immunity De
assured them, that they may carry ou'
their humanitarian mission under con
ditions inherent TO navigation les or
no-are they TO be protected iron, All
attempts at destruction when they nav
brought from England hftn OF tne
supplies of food which the reieI com
mittee buys in that country! yes OF
Y,;Ii sbins en- route, and which 1t
ha. been impossible TO warn, be at
tacked and sunk il they penetrate INTO
the new prohibited zone?
Decree Raises Food Prices
at is known that Mr.. Hoover has
given orders to vessels finding them
selves in American, Argentine, indian
and European ports to remain there
professionally. The question is urgent;
il is complicated by the vital question
Of costs. II these chips have no immu-
nifty in navigation it will result IN Sc
riously increasing the cost Of the 1000
which will painfully aggravate tAe con-
dition OF life, already almost intoier-
able. in occupied Belgium
at appears, then, that all ANIMATION
OF good will given by Ggman author