The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-29

(Continued from Page OneD cupied territories of western Europe was made public tonight at the conmision's g headquarters here.
 The survival of the peoples of Belgium and northern France, while a quarter of the populations of other German oc- cupied lands died of famine, was ascrib- ed by Mir. Hoover to the work of the commission which for four years poured food across belligerent lines sufficient to keep men, women and children above the margin of starvation.
 The gratitude of these people to the United States, MT. Hoover reported, ''is unbounded and embarrassing They no longer need or desire to get food through charity, but owing to the systematic de- struction of their textile industries thes must still depend to a considerable ex- tent upon the United States for clothing.
 "The population is underclad," Mir. Hoover said, and the one direction in which the Belgians are in need of chari- table help Is in large clothing supplies to the commission on relief for Belgium.
 There is no quantity of second hand clothing that will not be needed and that will not bring gratitude in the heart of some individual Belgian"
 D CNl 0tCOIAukt1NIAED
 With the German evacuation. the sys- tenn of distribution of food and clothing built up by the commi ssion during the four years became disorganized due to the breakdown in transport, MT. Hoover found
 Though it is now possible, Mir. Hoover found, to buy almost any kind of food in Belgium. the prices preclude the pur- chase except by the wealthy. Meat, ac- cording to the report, is s2 pound. eggs s1 each and butter $2.50 pound, These prices are in contrast with an average income for more than one-half the popu- lation of less than $4 week per fam fly. The food administration established by the Belgian government, the report added is taking care of this situation as rapidly as possible.
 An examination of the population
 Mir. Hoover said, proves that the ship ments of food by the commission fol relief in Belgium during the past foul years have brought this people througt their ordeal without irreparable damag, to the national health.
 There exists among certain classes undernutrition, but continued supplies O food will rapidly rectify this. There ha. been a considerable spread of tubercu losis as result of this undernutrition This most cheering factor in the situ ation is the condition of the two million Belgian children who have been the ob ject of utmost solicitude of the whoi, world during the four years of occupa tion.
 CHILDREN HEALTHY Because of the supplementary meal furnished by the relief commission ana the many chiidren's institutions these children have come through thi period in state of health perhaps ever | better than could be expected
 Because of Americas ready response t, the appeal of the relief commission t ksave the future generations of Belgium we may be duly proud of this result" l Prior to the German evacuation. Mir Hoover stated, approximately S,5oo,00 people were destitute and dependent Through the energy of the people in get
 ting back to work this number, he said had been reduced to 100000.
 My survey of the rest of Europe, th'
 Balkan states and Poland" Mir. Hoove said, lis not complete, but sufficient evi dence Is at hand to show that befor i next harvest, relief of an unprecedente character must be extended if the re
 maining poulation is to be maintaine, | in any semblance of health"