NEW PROBLEM FOR STARVING BELGIUM

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2394, 25 February 1915, Page 5

NEW PROBLEM FOR STARVING BELGIUM

BRITISH SUBVENTION IN SUSPENSE OWING TO GERMANY'S ATTITUDE (Rec. February 24, 11.46 p.m.) London, February 24. The Press Bureau that Sir Edward .Grey (Secretary of' State for Foreign Affairs), in ,a letter to the Chairman of the Belgian Relief Commission, recites the fact that Britain granted funds, supplemented from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, for distribution to the Belgians.- Though this was not advisable from, military considerations—because -Germany could divert the -foodstuffs to her armies— the British Government recently agreed to grant a monthly subvention to the Commission on condition that Germany should cease all requisitions for food, and all levies (except taxation) admitted under the Hague Convention.. "I understand," continues Sir Edward Grey, "that, the German Govern■ment, while it consented to cease requisitions for food in the zone of occupation east of Ghent, refused to consider the cessation of pecuniary oxacid tions; and especially ; the montnly levy of forty million francs (roiigbly, £2,000,000), which it apparently intends to continue. Solely on acoount of this attitude, the proposed arrangements between Britain and the Relief Commission musj; be regarded as having broken down.' '

"Ws intend to_ maintain, generally, a favourable attitude towards jour work, and our offer will remain opan in the event of Germany receding from her present position."