New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-02
Hoover Finds
100000 Need
Aid InFrance


WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-Relef WORK
being carried on in Northern France
bv the Commission for Relief in Bel
GUM and the pitiable condition OF the
zoe. 600 inhabitants of that section
who escaped the German invasion, are
described in a cablegram received at
The Headquarters Of the commission
here from Herbert c. Hoover at Paris.
NJ. Hoovcr's message, made public
to-nigh., revealed thot the work of re
lief and rehabilitation in France will
fall more heavily on the commission
than had been expected. The destruc-
ton wrought by the German army was
So complete, Mr.. Hoover said, that the
relief work must include not only food
and clothing, but housing over a con-
siderable area
An enlarged organization to handle
the situation is being built up and sup
plies have been obtained from the
ouartermaster's department OF the
American army.
Industrial Life Paralyzcd
Industrial life in the invaded region
has been almost completely paralyzed,
Mr.. Hoover said. Railroads have been
rendered almost hopeless OF recon
stfuction for many months, the coal
mines have been destroyed and there
is scarcely a single factory that can be
operated without q very large portion
Of new equipment.
THE Commission for Relief in Bel
GUM" said Mr.. Hoover's message. chad
hoped to surrender the task of relief of
Northern France TO the French govern
ment Immediately unon the German
retreat. IT has been found Impossible.
however, II the French government
to undertake the food supply Of this
area for some months TO come, and
upon the urgent request of that gov
crnment, the commission has decided
to continue.
Relief Work Must Go On
After the four-year paralysis of
wholesale and retail business with the
obstruction of the principal towns. and
shops. these trades have disappeared.
and the people to-day are dependent
upon ration issued directly TO them
just as before the German evacuation.
Until transport and trade can be re
hablitated the present system must
90 on. for the French distribution is
done by the trades These arrange
ments necessitate some reorganization
Of tho relief work and its entire separa-
ton from Belgium.
Twenty members of the commission
for relief in Belgium who Joined the
American army as officers have been
released by General Pcrshing to IN
derrake this work.
THE population of this area at the
moment Of the retreat was about 800
600, there being also about 100000
refugees IN Belgium who are returning
anu am S0iie ooo'ouV refugees IN france
an o. "nom are ANXIOUS 20 return 10
'"eir native soil
Refugees Streaming Back
The destruction Of some twenty
PRINCIPAL towns and literally hundreds
Of VILLAGES renders The rer,,rn If tbesc
refugees stupendcus problem. Ever,
effort Is heinz made ia raet,,ain them
from GOING bact until soma sve+ematic
provision for shelter can be COMPLETED
but they cvadc all official urgjnes and
the roads are 4 continuous procession
nj these pitable bodies. Thousands Of
them reach their villages 10 find ever
vostige of shelter dsstTo,.ed end fInall,.
wander INTO the villaoes furtbar haci.
srore ~ ~ IAN
themselevs already overcrowdod to =
hes,,I.ro -. ,lf1,.s, ~ q
a.. - - ~ -:....
sora 80 20 NJ ln's sieNSeioH 70
.ces % -'.''' M 4no@.i3q f ene ser .
american nav and is taking over =
'srge amount Of second-hand harracl-
material from the nav and avn M
d jSs to q the de sgoS y V1 acc
aader tho supcrintendcnce Of II" the 's'T nsvT
''a'''eers.
Using Army Supplies
= large amount Of boots and shoe
and arm clothing has been taken over
these arc BENZ di~tr;bn,ed 4 ~ th "il''
r'e. Tic French rovernnen4 il eo-
aeaeorng 10 obtain some cattle froro
switzerland and horses from the wi.
pas armies which. together Win ~.
, meagrc supply Of agriculfnral ;ronle-
merits. mar enable The nonnia+ioo
yet in some norton a. nc,t '' ,,n,, ~