The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-05
BSlgiams Are
 MisGreated I'm IPrmssia

IT'D EFoKIED Belgians returned @l1 from the camp at Soltau, Prus- sia, in dying condition, tell story of German cruelty that shocks even a world grown accustomed to the hor- TOTS of war.
 l They were interviewed at The Hague by correspondent of the As sociated Press and gave the first re- bort that has been received directly Iregarding the treatment of Belgians in Germany. They were interviewed separately and their stories of condi- tions at Soltau agree. Most of them had contracted tuberculosis, due to exposure and starvation, and returned home sick and emaciated. l For breakfast they were given a kind of broth made from acorns. At noon they received half litre (about one pint) of soup that was chiefly water and contained a few turnips, carrots and shrimp. This was served without bread. The evening meal con- sisted of about half a pound of black bread, bad and mildewed, and half a litre of soup, made of bran or brown maize. When they asked for soap they were told to use sand.
 Had they consented to work for their oppressors they would have been we'll fed. Some of them were taken away and shown they would be treated much better if they would work, but they steadfastly refused.
 While admiring the spirit of these wretched people, what must one think of government which has reduced them to slavery and lets them starve because they will not wear the slaves collar? Knowing the passion for dis cipline that prevails in Germany and particularly the Prussian idea that a refusal to obey Prussian orders de- serves the severest punishment, these stories of the Belgians ring true.
 All the facts will be known some day. If Germany is guilty of the mis- deeds laid at her door she will have to pay the reckoning in full l MT. Bryan walked three blocks in Br- rningham and no one recognized him. He would have been recognized instantly had he carried peace dove on his shoul- der and bottle of grape juice in his hand.
 l Although the "Spugs" did not make much noise during the Christmas holi- days, they are supposed to have been active. Witness gifts of coal, shoes, clothing and the like. * * * Boston's leading restaurants are now the use of catsup. However if per- son needs car fare he can eliminate the catsup.
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 railway will issue no more passes at their l request Tennessee solons may find run | ming for office less fascinating than for merly.
 Vernon Castle, now member of the British flying corps. gives dancing les sons during his spare moments. It seems that those military aviators do have | spare moments.
 | A magazine writer says Russia is mis- understood. Still, her attitude toward peace at the present moment seems pretty well defined. | | Incidentally, what has become of those | German supertanks which were to make the British tanks seem almost as tame as Ford cars?
 l springlile days in January make the l coal dealers pessmistic. but they bring glad smile to the face of the ultimate consumer.
 | It is said that most of the wine in France has been communicated for the soldiers That ought to encourage re- cruiting.
 The habit of talking too much seems to be spreading in Washington. However. Ambassador Bernstorff may think other wise
 Philadelphia possessed a famous model, but nine out of ten people in the country didn't know it until she was murdered.
 
 Wherever the redoubtable Colonel House bobs up he finds the newspaper men in an expectant mood
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 Some of these foreign rulers with up turned mustaches are by no means as