BELGIUM RELIEF FUND.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 160, 29 July 1916, Page 3

BELGIUM RELIEF FUND.

The Belgian Relief Committee lias considered the Belgian politician's letter published on Monday. The Commissioner admits that serious riots have occurred. The population in some parts declare that the Commission's ration is insufficient to support life.

The difficulties of distribution are undiminished. Holland, for the past three months, has prohibited the export of potatoes, which the Commission does not supply, owing to the deterioration cf cargoes on the voyage across the Atlantic.

A new agreement, arranged, by

Spain and America with the belliger

ents, has insured that the Belfeyans should retain theior own potato and sugar crops and cattle. Since the new agreement was made, the Germans had not seized cattle. Occasionally the German soldiers had seized food, but the authorities make restitution whenever complaints are made.

The Commission states that two million people are wholly, and one and a half million partially dependent on the Commission. Three and 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. Starv-

ing people in many towns in Flanders made demonstrations in the streets with placards reading "B'read or death." Many riots have occurred. The Germans sabred the demonstrators, and are forbidding demonstrations, under a penalty of five years' imprisonment. The Germans continue to make 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 peace.)