The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-03-16

OF all Belgians save those DESTROYS OF
settling here, or those wishing to re-
turn later at their own expense.
A glance at the list of prices pre-
vailing in Brussels at the end of De-
cember suggests that the JOY of re-
turn is likely to be damped by the cost
of living. Belgians who are self-sup-
porting here and can afford to return
at their own time are, in fact, wait
ing for this to abate. Eggs are quoted
at go cents each, butter $3.50 the kilo
@ IS pounds coffee $40 a pound,
and sugar is unobtainable. Beef drip
ping is sold at 81 a pound, lard at s2.40
to $3.50, while toilet soap is at IS the
piece. Perhaps the most prohibtive
price is that demanded for ordinary
sewing cotton, which is from $3.50 to
$40 a reel. Clothes and boots are pro-
portionately scarce and dear.
Fortunately the sailing of the Rubis
on January 81 commenced the re-estab-
1ishment of the regular steamship
service between Tilbury and Ostena.
The first cargo Included a great store
of mattresses. bedding and clothing as
well as 100 tons of soap. The resump-
ton of peaceful commerce ought soon
to bring relief to the depleted coun-
try while the restoration of the ma
chineryeand live stock, which had been
vader should materially help the re-
esta blshment of industry and agricul-
ture.
The universities and other educa-
tional institutions are alreay issuing
invitations to their students to re-
sumo their interrupted courses, al
though the immediate reopening is in
some cases being delayed by the build
ings being used clearing stations
for returning allied prisoners of war.
Among the most eager exiles to re-
turn are the large number of nuns, to
whom the English converts have been
affording hospitality. These are faced
with the arduous task of repairing the
damage and removing the disorder
consequent on the prolonged occupa-
ton of their converts by German
troops.
The return of the Belgians will wit
ness the closing down af a special de-
partment of the British local government
board, created to deal with relief meas
ures. When in 1914, the country was
aroused by the account of their suffer-
ing to a spirit of Britain for the Bel
sian" voluntary committees sprang up in
every district and private funds were
forthcoming in every direction. Gradu
ally these funds We're supplemented from
the national exchequer and in proportion
as voluntary offerings and organization
fell off there emerged a government
scheme employing 172 members. The re-
lief given varied with the individual
requirements of the applicants. Where
private hospitality was not available. ac-
commodation was afforded in hostels
or in houses lent rent free or at merely
nominal rents. Favorable-not to say
eferential-treatment was afforded at
dispensaries. hospitals and sanitoria. AS
regards education, the children were
placed in converts of colleges, accord
ing to teir religion, grant of $3.50
per week being made to the convent for
each child. Clothing was supplied in all
cases where investigation showed cir
| cumstances to demand it, and, while class
distinctions were not officially recog-
nized, every effort was made to guard
susceptibilities where possible. The sep
aration allowances of wives of Belgian
privates was also supplemented to bring
| them up to those of British soldiers
| wives.
| Wartime labor shortage made it possible
| from a very early stage, to absorb many
of the refugees in remunerative employ
| ment. Very soon they were among the
most highly skillful and best paid mum
| ton workers, and the whole colony of
| Elizabethville $50 called after the Bel
gian Queen) at Birtley, County Durham,
was populated by them Another very
| large munition works, the Pelabon at
| Twickenham, near London, was entirely
/ in Belgian hands.
| In addition to munitions Britain's visit
| ors were not slow to make their mark in
other employments. Millinery and blouse
shops of a truly French smartness soon
made their appearance in many parts OF
| London. But perhaps the most truly
national industry which they founded
here is representated by the ''patissere'