Belgium

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 46, 25 February 1915, Page 5

Belgium

Must the People Starve ?

AN APPEAL.

A PENNY WILL BUY A MEAL. it is computed that a penny is sufficient to buy a meal for the starving Belgians.

Think of it you ■ who' are living in plenty, Act lip to it now if compassion you leel,

Debar yourself one little atom of pleasure— For a penny will buy a> poor Belgian a meal!

l'ou who have ne'er known the cruel pangs of hunger, Have ne'er known the horrors that famine reveal j Think of the agony, think of the suf-

fering— Think that a penny will buy them a meal!

You who have only a bare living pittance, Have only what's earned by your sweat and your zeal, Spare one odd copper, you never will miss it— Remember a penny will buy them a meali, •

You who are callous to half the world's suffering You who have hearts that are moulded in steel, Soften that heart, show them ene grain of pity— Think that a penny will buy them ft meal!

You who profess to be God-living Christians, Who offer up prayers to your God as you kneel, Give us a proof of your true Christian charity— Remember a penny will buy them a meal!

Think of it, mother, when suckling your infant, When its chubby young arms around your neck steal ; Think of that mother with her dying offspring— Think that a penny will buy it a meal!

Think of it, father, when fondling your children, When nightly with kisses their dear lips you seal; Think of that father who is watching his children— Dying by inches for want of a meal.

You who to God of War gave your mite freely. Who lavished you thousands for powder and steel; \ This is not glory, but grim cruel star, vation— Think that a penny will buy them a meal!

Thej T have saved British Honour, their flag we revere, They have shed their life's blood for old England's weal; So don't let the stigma be cast up against us— They died, when n penny vsould buy them A Ai&ol!

So rescue the perishing, rescue the starving, Oh! turn not away when you read this appeal! Throw in your coppers, undo your purse strings— Remember a penny will buy them a meal!

NEUCHAMP

Stratford, 24-2-15

BRITAIN'S FAVORABLE ATTITUDE.

United Pbess Association. London, February 24

The Press Bureau states that Sir E. Grey, writing to the chairman of the Belgian Relief Com mission, recites that Britain lias granted funds, which have been supplemented from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, for foodstuffs distribution among the Belgians. Though this is inadvisable, from military considerations, because Germany could divert the foodstuffs for her armies, the British Government recently agreed to grant a monthly subvention to the commission conditional upon Germany ceasing all requisitions of food and all levies excepting by taxation admitted by the Hague Convention. Tt is understood that the Germans Government, while they consented to

cease requisitions for food in the zone of occupation east of Ghent, refused to consider the cessation of pecuniary exactions, especially the levy of. forty million francs monthly, which they apparently intend shall continue. Solely on account of this attitude it is proposed that the arrangement between Britain and the Commission must be regarded as having broken down. He adds: We intend to maintain a general favorable attitude towards your work. Our officer will remain open in the event of Germany receding from her present position.

BELGIANS HARASSED AND

TRICKED.

United Pivess Association. (Received ;8.40 a.m.) Paris, February 24

The correspondent of the Journal Des Debats says: The German yoke in Belgium is being made heavier daily. The restrictions have been increased. No passports are being issued and the houses are ransacked and unroofed in the search.for copper and zinc. The Germans are resorting to trickery to subdue the spirits of the people. A supposed Belgian recruit visited Baroness Calwaert and begged for help to enable him to re-join his regiment. The Countess gave bim money, and a few minutes afterwards she was arrested. She was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for treasonably aiding Germany's enemies.

BUTTER-DISH REALISES £34.

Per Press Association. Pahiatua, February 25. The butter dish won by Miss Murray, of the "Within the Law" company, at the swimming sports yesterday, was submitted to auction by the Mayor last night on behalf of the Belgian Fund. It was re-sold many times and finally realised £34.

SPLENDID WAIRARAPA DONATIONS. Masterton, February 25. At a meeting of the Wairarapa executive of the Poor of Britain, Ireland and Belgium Fund, held yesterday, it was resolved to make an appeal to the public for further funds for Belgium. Mr A. P. Whatman has donated £SOO to the fund, and Mr R. Cameron £SO, and Mr W. Kebbell. £2O .monthly.

,WAR JOTTINGS. The Ashburton Borough Council held a special meeting and resolved to telegraph the Premier supporting the Mayor of Dunedin's appeal to the Government to vote £25,000 per month for the relief of the Belgians.