New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-12-29
Hoover Makes
Appeal for Aid
For Belgium
Food and Clothing Needed
to Combat Ravagcs of
Germans, He Declares
Grave Crisis ia Balkans
Unprecedented Suffering Is
Predicted Unless America
Answers Call for Help

WASHINGTON. Dec Is. -Four wears
Of German oppression brought no loss
n life from starvation to the popula-
ions al Belgium and Northern France
and undernoUriShmont resulting from
enemy occupation can be stamped out
Il America continues to send food.
Eh.s report nom Herbert Hoover.
.Asrmau O. The Commission for Re
lief w Belgium. based on a survey of
he occupied territories of Western
europe. was made public tonight at
the commissions headquarters.
The survival of the peoples of Bel
s.um and Northern France, while a
quarter of the populations Of other
German occupied lands died of famine.
vas ascrl5ed by Mr.. Hoover to the work
II The commission. witch for four
Years poured food across belligerent
lnes sufficient to keep men. women and
children above the margin of starva-
ton
SILL Look to America
The gratitude of these people to the
United States. Mr.. Hoover reported. SIS
unbounded and embarrassing" They
10 longer need or desire to get food
through charity. but, owing to the sys-
ematic destruction of their textile in
dustres they must still depend to a
considerable extent upcn the United
states for clothing
"The population IS underclad," Mr.
Hoover said. and the one direction in
which the Belgians are in need Of
charitable help IS in large clothing sup
plies to the Commission on Relief for
Belgium There is no quantity Of sec
ond hand clothing that will not be
needed and that will not bring graft
lude to the heart of some individual
Belgian
With the German evacuation, the sys-
en- Of distribution of food and CLOTH
ag built up by the commission during
he four years became discrganized.
due to the breakdown in transport, Mr..
Hoover found. This breaking down of
he rational control in such commodi-
les as meats. butter and other neces-
ssry supplies resulted in most of a
limited supply of such foodstufrs gravi-
atlne toward the wealthy through the
apd rise in prices.
Prices Are Excessive
Though it is now possible. MIR.
Of food in Belgium, the prices pre-
cude the purchase except by the
Tsaithy. Meat. according to the re-
nort, is s. pound, eggs 81 each and
butter $50 d pound. These prices are
VI contrast with an average income for
more than one-half the population of
less than - a week for family. The
God administration established by the
Belgian government. the report added.
taking care of this situation as rap
lly as possible.
An examination Of the population"
ar. Hoover said. "proves that the ship
aents of food by The commission for
sief IN Belgium during the last four
ears have brought this people through
'slr ordeal without irreparabc dam
'se TO the national health. There ex-
SIS among certain classes undenutr-
ton. but continued supplies Of food
will rapidly rectify this There has
been a considerable spread of tuber-
cuosis as a result of this undernutr-
ION, but the Belgian authorities be-
Aeye that this can be stamped out
without great loss. provided adequate
supplies of food will arrive.
Children We're Protected
The most cheering factor in the sit
aatlon is the condition of the two mil
ion Belgian children who have been
The object Of the utmost solicitude of
the whole world during the four years
Of occupation. Because of the supple
alentary meals furnished by the Relief
commission and the many children's in
Stltutions which have been largely sup
ported by the magnificent outpouring
OF world charity, these children have
come through this period in state of
health perhaps even better than could
oe expected Because OF Americas
ready response to the appeal of the
Relief Commission to save the future
generations of Belgium VIC may be
truly proud of this result"
=, Prior to the German evacuation, Mr..
hoover stated, approximately 100000
1sople were destitute and DEPENDENT
trough the energy of the people in
Getting back to work this number, he
sald had been reduced to 1000 900, and
4Nan month it was expected to be
INCREASED to not more than 100000.
wy survey of the rest of Europe,
We Ne Balkan states and Poland" Mr..
a1.er said. els not complete, but suf-
5sV,ent evidence is at hand to show that
Osiore next harvest relief of an un-
IIeeedented character must be extend
NJ IL the remaining population is to be