South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-26
NEW PROGRAM
FOR BELGIAN
II AID PLANNED
Based on Administrators Data
Forwarded to u. S., America
Will Send 10000 Tons
Of Supplies Monthly.

~ AoiAAaFI 4 O.Np Lee -b.--P nySl-
cal damage wrought in Belgium by
the German armies is described in
a cablegrom received by the food
administration from Herbert Hoov-
Or. who with William b Poland.
European director OF the commits
sion for relief in Belgium. has just
completed a survey OF conditions in
this liberated country. On the
basis OF Mr.. Hoover's report the
food administration announced to-
day that hereafter 10000 tons OF
supplies. including clothing. would
be shipped TO Belgium each month.
As this program will require 1867
600 lightweight tons OF shipping. in
addition 20 the $4,000 tons now on
charter 20 the relief commission.
application for additional tonnage
has been made to the shipping
board.
The cost OF the entire relief pro-
gram wifi be borne Icy the Belgian
and french governments from
loans made by the American gov
eminent Frances part Of the ex-
pense wiz be for supplying the peo-
several hundred thousand refugees
who were forced from that section
INTO Belgium during the retreat Of
the German forces.
Mr.. HOOver's report on his sur
vey OF Belgium says:
The work OF the American relief
officials in Europe during the last
month has been beyond all praise,
because they have followed up the
retreating army with distributions.
Dy one means or another. and there
has been no break in the food sup
ply at any point
Relief Supplies Intact.
The Germans in their final re-
treat removed but little Of the re-
lief supplies
Their action towards the native
harvests and cattle in their with
drawal differs widely in different
areas They started TO take all re-
naming hogs from the western part
OF Belgium, except those hidden by
the peasants In underground caves
After the armistice. however. and
with the decentralization Of the Ger
man army in it's final retreat. many
Of these Beasts were abandoned or
sold by soldiers to the peasants fur
Their back. and In practical results
here appears 20 have been no wide
spread cattle stealing in the retreat
although during the four years Of
occupation there has been a great
diminution. probably over One-half
Ina the total number Of cattle and
ally that horses have disappeared
out OF Belgium. there probably not
being I 5 per cent OF the original an
imals left.
Investigation proves that indus
trial and residential destruction in
Belgium varies greatly in different
localities, and with different indus
tries. For instance. out OF the so
steel furnaces In Belgium. 35 or 40
have been deliberately destroyed by
the Germans IN their determination
TO end the Belgium steel industry.
Many OF the textile mills have been
put out Of commission, either
through deliberate destruction and
removal OF machinery, or by re-
moval OF the copper and brass parts
textile mills Of the more antiquated
type OF equipment apparently did
not appeal 10 the Germans and they
can be gotten into action at an
early date. The Germans seem 20
have focused themselves on the
modern equipment
Wilson Saves Coal Mines.
The glass industry has been but
little interfered with. and the stern
promise Of retribution by Pres't
Wilson seems TO have saved the Coal
industry except for very few mines
although actual explosives and
wires were laid in place for the de-
struction Of a large number of the
mines The presidents warning
seems 20 have created sudden
change OF heart.
There are some three hundred
thousand French refugees in Bel
gium. driven out or northern France
hv the Germans They have beer
cared FOR out OF the meagre store:
OF the Belgians and by the commits