New-York tribune., 1919-11-12
Belgium Rebuilding
Foremost in Recovery, Though Worst Devas-
tated Her Experts Tell Labor Conference
By Chester M. Wright

usual channels OF distribution had
been destroyed completely. The small
stores of pre-war days had vanished
from many communities, and in
number of cities all buildings Of every
kind had been destroyed, as in Menin,
where eight hundred houses-all there
were-were destroyed.
So effectively has the cost of living
been brought within bounds that to-day
Belgium is almost the only one of
the Allied countries without ra-
tioning system of any kind
Ten-Cent Bread
Bread costs S5 centEmes a kilo. This
is about II cents for two pounds, at
pre-war exchange rates, but at present
rates is less than 10 cents, q figure
lower than obtains in the United States.
Belgium has put an effective stop 70
industrial disputes, though she makes
nc pretense of having done more than
arrange for peaceful reconstruction
period. When the armistice was signed
the central committee Of the trade
unions formulated conditions upon
which Belgian workmcn would under
take continuous work. Three demands,
considered fundamental, we're agreed
upon. These were:
/. A wage increase of 100 per cent
over pre-war rates, with a minimum Of
one franc per hour for unskilled work
and 125 francs for skilled labor. A
franc is equal to a trihe more than
20 cents.
2. The universal eight-hour day.
8. Recognition of TIE unions and col
lective bargaining.
Minimum Rates
1t was stipulated that the minimum
rates were TO apply 10 men over twen-
ty-one years of age. While the wage
figure agreed upon would be regarded
as low in the United States. it runs as
high as $50 per cent over wages fre-
quently paid in Belgium before the war.
Because of the conditions that exist,
and in spite of the fact that Belgium
IS the only nation which in modern
times has experienced successful
general strike, there is not in Belgium
any party demanding direct action"
The political field has been sub
jected to the same generalship, or 10
the same common demand for sup
preston OF special interests Be
tween Socialists and clericals there
is a deep-seated opposition, religious
and political, but their difference does
rot prevent them from working to-
gether in King Albert's Cabinet. In
addition to Bertrand, Socialist Minister
Of State, there are in the Cabinet
Edouard Anseele, Flemish representa-
tive from Antwerp. and Emile Van
dervelde, president of the Interna-
tional Socialist Bureau. Ansecle was
one of the first hostages taken by the
Germans when they took Antwerp. His
courageous resistance to German
Establishments and threats made him
a hero among his own people.
Heaiing Effects
HruAibS tActS OI JNe war IN
political life has extended beyond the
Cabinet. The German invaders made
every effort to effect a breach between
Walloons and Flemish. The breach that
naturally existed before the war. how
ever, has been almost healed The de-
mand for Flemish university is about
TO be realized. In still another direc-
ton Improvement has been wrought
Between clerical and lay school and
between French and Flemish language
The conflict ragged in pre-war days
Thls gave to Belgium high rate Of
illlteracy. German propaganda made
the most of The situation Labor made
one Of the conditions OF It's suppor,
OF the government an increase in edu-
catlonal facilities. The result - an
amazing advance in education. with
compulsory attendance.
The Belgians realize that the re-
building of their stricken land is hut
wen under way, but they believe hat
IN national cooperation they have
found the way to get the best and
quickest results. They have put their
national house in such order that there
IS less Of industrial dispute, less of
eNtortion and less of all manner of
group rivalry and exploitation than
any other war-torn nation enjoys. That
IS the story produced by the experts
belgium has sent to Washington.