The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-09-27
Aberdeen Men Tell
Conditions in Belgium
CONTINUED from Page y


compared to a pre-war price Of 60
to 70 centimes. Butter costs II
francs per kilo and before the war 2
francs. The pre-war price of an egg
was or confines; now an egg for
breakfast costs IS confines. 1t is
difficult to compare these prices in
American money on account of the
difference in the rate of exchange
Coal, Mr.. De Vriendt said, is almost
impossible to get and what is obtain.
able is mostly slack or manufactured
coal in the shape of an egg, some
thing after the manner of briquettes
Transportation is good as far as
the roads are concerned and they are
in good repair. However, the Bel.
gian roads are compelled to use Ger
man locomotives and cars, which are
very inferior.
Wearing apparel is plentiful in
Belgium, but very high in price. Mr..
De Vriendt saw an overcoat pur-
chased for $50 francs, which before
the war could have been purchased
for about so francs, the present price
being an increase of over six times
the former. c 5s.@
Middle Glasses Suffer
Conditions with the working
classes are good, and all are en-
ployed at good wages. The average
wage is from 20 to 35 francs per day,
while before the war laborers received
from 2 to francs. The middle
classes, IT seems, have suffered the
most. They have lost a great deal,
their income has not increased to a
great extent, and they are proud and
do not care to admit their real con-
dition. The working classes are
spending practically everything they
make, especially in travelling about
the country. More people than ever
before are travelling from place to
place and what transportation facil-
tiles are available are constantly
crowded. ~ e
When asked what the general Bel
gian opinion was concerning the
league of nations, Mr.. De Vriendt
said 1t was generally against it, or
rather against 1t in its present form.
They felt, he said, that there is some
thing lacking about it, but seemed
unable to define their exact posi-
ton. The Belgians have grievance
against President Wilson, and they
feel that they should have had more
consideration at the hands of the
conference. They also feel that Pres
ident Wilson did not represent true
American. Nevertheless, their at
titude towards Americans in general
is very cordial, in contrast to a
marked antipathy toward the British.
The Belgians feel, according to Mr..
De Vriendt, that the war was pri-
marily commercial war between
Germany and Great Britain, and they
think that the British have played
and are still playing a very selfish |
part, in spite of the fact that the
Belgians carried the brunt of the
fighting In the beginning.
Germans After Trade
Germany is very active at present
in Belgium and is after the large and I
profitable trade formerly enjoyed.
The Belgians naturally hate to trade
with the Germans, but they have no
choice in the matter. They have
failed to obtain the required credit in
any Of the allied nations and are
therefore restricted in their trade.
There is shortage Of gold and silver
in the country and the coinage is now
made from sort of aluminium alloy.
Belgian business men, Mr.. De
Vriendt said, are beginning to worry
over the financial situation and un-
less they are able to obtain the
necessary credit they fear a panic or
general bankruptcy affecting all Eu-
ropean nations, when the danger of
q reputation of all debts would
arise.
The Belgians are working hard
nAo Will q uCICI AludllOu W TGUullu
their country and bring it up to its
former status. The devastated sec
lions are rapidly being rebuilt. Mr..
De Vriendt visited Ypres, Dixmude
and other cities laid waste during
he war and says that they are rap
dly being rebuilt. He entered an
abandoned cellar which was just be-
ng cleared and saw the skeletons of
i've German soldiers, who had been
killed during the war and were left
lnburied, their skeletons and accom-
rements still intact alsEH f II
The De Vriendts left for home on {
September II, sailing from South
'mpton on the Aquitania, and ar
ived safely at New York after a
i've days journey. They came d. 8
ectly to Blackfoot from there. RsS La
Mr.. De vriendt was formerly in
he grain buying business at Aber- t
leen, but expects to locate at Rupert I
nd will leave for the latter place 7
his week. & Lii