New-York tribune., 1918-11-12
Hoover VIII Direct Work
of Prisoners in Re-
building Cities
Food Big Problem
For u. S. Solution
American Uniforms Will
Be Used to Clothe Re-
patriated Peoples
Especial Dispatch to The Trib,usl

'opecto@ OtspGtch TO >Ihe Trlbunel
WASHINGTON, Nov. 11.-German
prisoners will help rebuild Belgium.
This is one factor in the reconstruc-
uon programme which Herbert c..
Hoover will undertake upon his arrival
IN Europe within the next two weeks.
The Food Administrator, in addition
to the food relief duties which the
PRESIDENT has delegated to him, has
been asked to represent the United
states in all matters affecting the in
dustrlal and economic relief of Bel
gum. To aid him in this great task
Mr.. Hoover will have Robert E. Taft.
son OF the former President; John W.
hallcwell, F. X. Chattield and DR..
Alonzo E. Taylor, all of whom have
neen associated with the Food Admin
,strator, both in Belgium relief and in
MS food control operations in this
country. The Hoover party will sail
next Friday.
AS preliminary to supplying food
TO the populations liberated by the Ger
man surrender, Mr.. Hoover, Secretary
or War Baker and Chairman Hurley
OF the Shipping Board formulated
plans to-day to dispatch great guam
ei1ies OF food at once TO the American
army commissary in France. All avail
able tonnage released by the stoppage
OF large troop movements will be as
signed to this work. Details have been
arranged hy Secretary Baker and Cen
eral George W. Goethals, quartermaster
general.
LARGE CfOyoc nouoxc
Large accumulations of foodstuffs, in
army depots abroad will greatly SIM
nlfy the task Of food distribution.
Dire famine conditions are imminent
III several sections of Europe unless
immediate relief is extended bv the
United States. The spread OF anarchy
In the Central Powers, it is pointed
out, will also depend on steps taken to
provide food relief to Germany and
Austria. 1t is believed that the major
object of the President in communi-
eating the armistice terms to the Joint
session OF Congress to-day was to pre-
pare that body for Legislation to enable
the United States to undertake Euro
pean food relief on scale greater than
is possible with existing agencies.
It is understood that. in addition to
relieving food conditions in Belgium
w. AAoONCi Will upoli ulS diiiNol al
Europe, Immediately undertake the
relief of the civilian populations OF
Serbia, Southern Austria and Monte
negro. Famine conditions are threat
encd in wide areas in Russia, but Nh
Hoover said to-day that it would be
exceedingly difficult to give food aid to
Russia on account of the inaccesei-
bility Of the affected areas
Convoy Cessation to Aid
The cessation of the navy convoy
system, it is pointed out, will increase
the efficiency of American tonnage by
at least 2o per cent.
The War Department announced its
willingness to-day TO cooperate with
Mr.. Hoover in supplying clothing to the
afflicted populations of the evacuated
areas. The army clothing depots are
overstocked, it was stated, and Ameri-
can army uniforms will serve as an
excellent emergency remedy to clotho
civilians in those sections where win
ter sets in early.
Prior to his departure abroad Mr
Hoover will confer with state food
administrators regarding the world
food situation and the steps necessary
in this country to make possible the
relief abroad The opening session of
the conference will be held here to-
morrow.