The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-17
100, 900 More Eager to Re-
build Homes Devastated "
80. 80 49, ".~ I o" 80
.--' by Germans. g.. b..
GRATEFUL FOR REFUGE
Many Who Worked in NUM-
ton Factories Have Stored
Their Earnings. :,
.spsea, cable Despatch 70 THs svs.

1-oNpoN. Feb. 1s.-More than $4,000
Belgians who came to England when the
Germans drove across Belgium have
been repatriated since the armistice
was signed on November IL, and there
remain nearly 100000 moro who are
clamoring to be returned to their homes
across the channel. ..... 3.
Ostend, once a Famous summer resorI
IL being used as 4 distribution centre
from which the repatriates are being
sent to all parts Of Belgium. Every
morning hundreds OF smiling Beigians
gather at the passport Office on the
Strand here sayiy awaiting their turn
TO receive the precious slip OF paper
which win take them home. and whole
trainloads are carried every day TO
Dover or Hull, where they board the
channel boats and are taken across on
the newly opened routes. which nave
been closed to passenger uafhc since
1914.
From the piers at Dover the cheerful
throngs are herded aboard the poats'
as It Is a short voyage and little care
Ia taken to make The passengers COM
small decks and packed in tight. but
the inconvenience does not trouble them.
with their old homes only q few hours
away.
Taking Money Horne.
During the last four years work In
the British munition factories has done
much to alleviate the desperate poverty
OF those who arrived here penniless and
starving, and they return with well hlIeo
purses, some even shipping household
effects to restock their war ravisheo
homes.
As tho boats sail out OF Dover harbor
| the crowds sing the national anthem
and usually Join their voices in Home
| Sweet Home' They cheer England
France and the United States. All are
touchingiy grateful for the RELIEF WORN
\ done by the United States
Thousands OF these Belgians have
been living at Letchworth, Just outside
, Of London. and many OF them had an
other taste OF those experiences whicr
they suffered as refugees when. owing &c
the labor troubles here. they could moi
sail, as they had planned. two weeks ago
although they had made all their prepar'
atoms. sold or packed their household
| effects and burned their last allotmenu
| OF coal
! When they were compelled TO walt two
weeks thye reverted to the condition Of
| refugees Committees were formet
which lifted up a great hail as dorni
tory, much like those provided FOR refu
rees in the early days OF the war. Ir
one day trucks carted out $50 tons Of
household goods, which compares favor
ably with their naked condition upor
their arrival here.
| VIII BebutlA Ruined Homes,
The authorities had to be very care
tul not 10 mix the Walloons and TIL
F1eminss. for they agree only whei
| facing the common enemy. Separate
trains had to be provided to carr,
each section, both crowds excited
and smiling, tho children waving thu
Belgian tricolor. Many OF the children
have been born since the war began ant
speak English with a cockney accent
they have very little kno~iedge o
French or Belgian and they canno
understand yet what Il means TO live Il
a country under peace conditions
AS a souvenir Of their stay in I,etch
worth the Belgians planted an oak tre'
in the centre OF the city park, with {
memorial plaque near by stating 'Thi
oak was presented at Letchvorth Parisi
CoU3nil in grateful recognition OF tn
generous hospitality received by Belgian
during tho great war"
Many OF those who now are returning
have no homes any LONGER. but they ar
going to reclaim the ground LEFT covered
with ruins by the Germans. This worl
will be done under the supervision o
various committees and many OF tn
homes will be restored or new ones built
The same process OF repatriation 4
being carried out In France and Hol
land. where many Belgians have live
since they were driven from their homes