BELGIAN RELIEF.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15869, 7 April 1917, Page 8

BELGIAN RELIEF.

MR "WHITAKER'S

ALLEGATIONS.

A DEN LA. L

A cablegram from London received last Monday evening, stated, that a Mr Whitaker alleged in "The Times" that tho Germans wero remarkably lenient to Belgium; that Brussels and Antwerp wero well supplied with food, which was produced in Belgium as plentifully as before the war, and that tho shops and theatres wero crowded with fashionablo women.

Theso allegations, naturally, created considerable interest in Now Zealand, tvhero tho Belgium Relief Fund has been very largely contributed to. A cablegram which tho Acting-Prime Minister (Sir James Allen 1 ) received on Thursday from the High Commissioner (Sir Thomas Mackenzie), however, controverts Mr Whitaker's statements. Sir James stated that the message was to the effect that there, was nothing to support the rumours circulated by Mr Wintaker. Mr Hoover, chairman of the Belgian Relief Commission, declared that Mr Whitaker's statement was not accurate, and was quite misleading. Although there was perhaps no actual starvation —owing to tho generous contributions to the distressed Belgians from all parts of the British Empire, America, etc. —there was nevertheless great privation among tho bulk of tho Belgian people, though a few of tho wealthy might bo obtaining full supplies.

(FROM OCTI OWN CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, February 27. It is stated that the Germans hayo now asked the Americans engaged in relief work in Belgium to remain in that country. The neutral commission has consented to this on tho understanding that their functions and activities are to be continued tinrestricted on tho same basis as existed before diplomatic relations between America and Germany were broken off. Tho German Government still adhere to their demand that Belgian relief vessels must approach and leave .Rotterdam by tho North Sea route, which is so covered by British and German minefields as to be hazardous and almost impracticable. The result of Germany's action is that vessels with foodstuffs intended for the relief of Belgians aro held up. Meantime the people of Belgium are faco to face with a situation that iB more than ever critical.