The New York herald., 1922-04-30

and were collected both by organiza-
tons affiliated with the commission in
the United States and by charitable
individuals, foundations and national
periodicals. From various charitable
sources there went to Belgium from
the United States something like
thirty million dollars ($30,000, ,00O) in
this form. The exact figures cannot
be given for the reason that certain
donations were Of combined British
and American origin.
Two Periods of Government
Subsidy in Stricken Belgium
Governmental subsidy !. to Belgium
falls into two periods. In the first
period. extending to the spring OF 1917,
support Of Belgian relief came from
subsidies extended by the treasures OF
Great Britain and France. Together
these amounted over the entire period
of five and half years to something
under 5000, 100000. During the second
period, which begins with Americas
entrance into the war, support of Bel
gian relief came almost entirely from
the United States Treasury. In May,
1917, the United States began a sys-
tenn OF monthly credits to the Belgian
account of $7,500,000. In November,
1917. these monthly credits were in
creased to $4,000, 900, and so continued
until in November, 1918, they were in
creased to 100000 monthly for five
months. The total United States
credits to Belgium on this account
amounted to s259. .632, ,260.44.
While the Cop1ricciop fo,. I, or;os a..
Belgium was extending relief to Bel
gium 1t was at the same time ex-
tending relief to the occupied regions
OF Northern France. Total private
charity extended by the United States
for the feeding OF Northern France
amounted to $5,0O0.o 900. In addition to
this there was extended by the United
States Treasury to France for the
support of her occupied areas between
June, 1917, and March, 1919, the total
credits Of 1927 100000.
Relief Front Changed
When We Went in the War
Belgian relief was a special thing.
neutral and continued after America
had become belligerent. With Amer
ica's entrance into the war the whole
relief front changed. The Allies were
exhausted, and so fa- from being able
to engage in a program OF extended
relief themselves they were desperate
ly in need of help.
Great Britain, which had been ex-
tending loans TO France, Italy .and
Belgium, now turned to the United
States for loans, as did the others.
Belgium, which was weaker brother
to the Allies. now became with rela-
ton to the United States simply an
other OF the European nations bound
together with us in a great war and
dependent upon us for support.
. Food relief now became a national
problem for America, one OF the first
essentials Of victory. For the purposes
Of this work the United States Food
Administration was organized. The
Food Administration functoned DUR
ing two years, from July. 1917. to July.
1919. Its duties and achievements are
too well known to require recapitula-
ton. ITS great service was the delivery
OF vastly increased amounts OF food
tc the European allies, and to the lib
Grated nations, almost entirely on
credit, up to the signing of the peace.
Service Of the Food Administration
shown in the following table:
EXPORTS OF THE PRINCIPAL FOOD
COMMODITIES IN fgiT-iDie COMPARED
WITH PRE-wAR THREE YEARS Av-
ERAGE IN SHORT TONS,
Annual ln
Average of Total
Three Pre- Two Years,
Commodity. War Years. 191T-foi0.
Wheat and rye..... 3,7c0,39s 14.n73.022
Other cereals. ....... 1,607, ,2o6 I,sO6.21l
pork ..,......... lps.fi5 .,340. 701
Reef .......... o3,1S7 9O9, f16
Vegetable oiis.... fs5,ifs 22f,s42
Dairy products. s.s.... 1000 1879
sugar .............. Bliss 3I72,26J
Fruits and vegetables $4,000 s2s,0J7
Totsi- ......... s,p5o. .05s 3o.oo4, 2a2
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