The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-12-29
Belgians Soon to
Provide for Self
Rr~sa LIs~ Rapidly DwtaAIea Nay -!
Day and People seces.e s<if-
Supporting.


Wsahissisn, Der. 3s.-A nilltOn
aud = halt BelGtaua ~ longer tsin
the free sssp tines. TIVE million
A~txass ehtlstx~A ara In better thar
asrm.l health -ana the nstieA'.
: gratitude far AMesataM part In
:, ntAfAx her Yay-wern p~~par r. -
sah.s s1~a ~ % ~ smkasrs~stnx.
according 10 = sessage received
here from Herbert &. Hoover by
tie CO.'S n tssf0a Ter tetfef IN fsea--
siuN.
H~lsian No ls~xer ssks charity
NJ the world. she will se~a Ne
able to me~t her wants throsEh her
avn em~rts although there IL n cry
tsu need this winter for extra
ef~thtng supelted.
sf the entire food situation IN Eu-
rep. Mr.. Hoover says:
The survey of the rest of Europe.
the Baltic states and Poland II not
complete. hut sufficient evidence is at
hand TO show that before next harvest
relief OF an unprecedented character
must be extended II the remaining pop
uintion is to be maintained In any
sembianee OF health and beyond the
financial and transportation arrange
ments which / am now negotiating. II
liz almost inevitable that our people Will
he called upon TO contribute literally.
In discussing the situation in Bel
eiuni Mr.. Hoover aaid:
-rhc Belgian government has estab-
iished food administration and these
problems are -eeiHH taken In hand Just
as. rapidly az possible under the condi-
tsitions. In the meantime. II Is posi-
BILE with sufficient money TO buy almost
any kind of food in Belgium. For in
stance meat is - . pound, eggs 81 each
and butter $3.50 pound. Supplies are
of course availa BILE to any one who can
ray these prices.
saall weekly stip<sa.
This gives an appearance to the
hut the fact II that over one-haEf the
population Of Belgium today has an In.
come under - week per family and
they Of course are not participating In
these kinds NJ food. hut are practically
dependent upon the distribution Of con-
troilcd imports by the commission for
relief in Belgium.
AN examination Of the population
proves that the shipments Of food by
the commission for relief in Belgium
during the past four years have
brought this people through the ordeal
without irreparabie damage to the ma
tional health. There exists amQne
certain classes under nutrition, hut
continued supplies Of food will rapidly
rectify this. There has been consid'
cradle spread of tuberculosis ~ q re-
cult OF this under nutrition. but the
Belgian authorities believe that this
can be stamped out without great losi
provided adequate supplies Of food ar
rive.
THE most cheering factor in the
situation ID the condition OF the two
million Belgian children who have
been the object Of the utmost soiici-
tude Of the whole world during tbs
four years Of occupation.
u ..Because OF the supplementary
meals furnished by the relief corn.
mission and the many children's In.
solutions which have been largely
supported by tho magnificent out.
pouring OF world charity. these chill.
dren have como through this period
IN 4 state Of health perhaps ever
better than could BE- expected. he
cause OF Americas ready rcsponse e
tho appeal or tho relief commission
10 save the future generation OF Hell.
giun We may be duly proud OF thi'
result.
New Ration 6ystnss.
The new rationipg system and
price control o. meat and other native
-