HELP FOR THE STRICKEN BELGIANS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2828, 20 July 1916, Page 5

HELP FOR THE STRICKEN BELGIANS

MEETING OF THE LONDON COM.x ■ ' . MITTEE. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. London, July is. Tho Belgian Relief Committee has considered the, Belgian politician's letter, which was. published on Monday. Tho Commission admits that serious riots have occurred. The population, in some parts declare that tho Commission's ration is insufficient to support life. The difficulties of distribution are undiminished. Holland, for tho past three months, has prohibited the export of potatoes, which the Commission does &ot supply, owing to the deterioration ofcargoes on, the voyage across tho Atlantic. A. new agreement arranged by Spain and America with the belligerents has insured that tho Belgians should retain their own potato and sugar crops and cattle. Sinco the new agreement was) made the Germans had not seized cattle. Occasionally tlie German soldiers had seized food, but tho authorities make restitution whenever complaints are made. The Commission states that two million peoDlo are wholly, and one and a half million partially, dependent on the Commission. Threo ami a half million people are able to purchase the Commission's rations. [The letter referred to in the above message describes the starvation conditions in the country and the ruthlessness of the German regime. Serving people in mtiny towns in Flandors made demonstrations in the streets with placards reading "Bread or Death." Many riots have occurred. The Germans sabred the demonstrators, and are forbidding demonstations, under a penalty of fivo years' imprisonment. _ Tho Germans continue to malco extensive requisitions, and do not conceal their intention to pursue a systematic policy of starvation to compel Belgium to raise her voice in favour of pence.]