Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-01-29

r,HE Governor General was unwilling to answer the
Cardinals letter of November % on the pretext that
he would not discuss with him anything except re-
vious matters 1t was Baron der Lancken who
took upon himself to plead the of the "Centrals"
and to Justify the in which foodstufs and par
tcularly agricultural products were being distributed
BY the occupying power.
The cause was bad one; consequently the plead
Ing was weak.
Political Department Of the Government General,
Brussels, December 1, 1917.
To His En,,e,cc Cardinal Afercicr, Archbishop Of
lfalircs
The Governor General has forwqrdcd me your
letter Of November "a for reply.
conrot refrain from retuting certain trsinua-
fiots it contains and calling your Emtncnces 1ttcn
tion to some points Dhic escaped your notice Whon
centiIatng your grievances aud making hnoDn your
utshes.
Your E4ninence regrets that agricultural pro-
duce hardly obtanabe and only at enorb'tant prices
On this occasion you are right Ut recalling the prom
iscs made by tho late Baron Kissing to the rep
resent1tttes Of neutral countries and tho Belgian
people. to forbid the crportntion of foodsufs, Wh
certain exceptions prouded for az The contracts. 1t
could not haze escaped your notice that this promla
rode on tho Governor General limiting his right to
contnnn1eer these goods for the needs Of the army
Of occupation, purely voluntary act on hig part
IN fauor of the Eeigicns for yoN must remember that
this right of seizure is M conformity With Article SO
Of The Hague conuentson as you yourself ocknowt-
edge.
This engagement, to mhich he consented of his
cun free uilt the Governor General has ql1Oays OBJ
s.rped in its entirety. This an glad to your
Eminence docs not cqU into question IN your letter.
You ask Ukere the foodstufs destined for the 6ct-
sian people ultimately 30. ,oould remind you that
the Governor General in numerous notices to the
people has sholpn that great quantities of foodsufs
acquired by the Weulthy to the detrment Of the
bulk Of the people. 1t is the rich ,vlo unpatrtoc
enough to pdy mddtsnen crorbitqat prices, euch as
are mentioned IN your EHinence's letter. Small
farmers and holders Of monopolies enrich themselves
By frauduently disposing Of foodsufe Which the
Governor General il, his socitade endeduors to put
the market at reasonable prices for sole to the
ess fortunate ard needy classes. Numerous orders
rd ecrees Of all kinds aud quite lately the ncw order
III rrtue of which more seUcre penalties than euer arc
10 be inflicted proftecrs many proofs Of tho
fight Which the "CcntrdLs" and other organizations
created by the Governor General arc carrying on
against fraction of the population for the benefit Of
the masses. Your En,i,ence yourself IN your pastoral
letter of last spyng, showed that the wretched state
Of things obtained must be laid at the door OF The
profteers. You made solemn appeal to- the con-
sciences Of peGsu',te vho hare proved to be unpa-
trtoc At the time Of these declarations people co-
planned to the German authorities that the clergy had
not ererctsed It's Weghty influence to remedy tho sad
plight IN which the Belgian people finds Itself. IN
spite Of all this you throW oil the responsibility on
the CertraLs' and ignore the utirtns efforts of the
governor General ard hts octdiS TO insure INC JUST
and equitable distribution Of all agricultural produce
Ot course they do not ulwoys succeed IN overcoming
The resistance made by certain scctonE of the popu
otton at the tnssation Of pesed interests The same
ptenoenu to be found in all countries tnvotred IN
the war. No,vherc have the organizations created I"
meet neU situations succeeded IN finding definite solu
tto's to the grave problems dredng out Of the War IN
every country for the changes in economic condi-
t'ona which are its inevitable consequence
As regards the difficulties IN the coat supply, the
question IS primarily Of transport. Belgium, so
for as this goee. finds herself in precisely the
plight other countries
Your Eminence ncmi,tds me that the occupter has
the right to. maintain public order and life. The
merous orders of the Governor General, whose pur
pose it is to insure the feeding Of the Belgian people
and the unceasing efforts Of the officials placed under
him. the penalties Increasing in severity against
pr0fteering IN foodstufs and against all who dtsobey