Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 58, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 October 1914 — FAMINE FOR 7,000,000 [ARTICLE]

FAMINE FOR 7,000,000

Many Persons Are Homeless in Belgium. American Ambassador Tells of Conditions In Country Devastated by Armies. Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 27 (by way of London.)— Nearly seven million people in Belgium face famine unless they receive help at once. The Amer ican minister to Belgium, Brand Whitlock, says that less than two weeks' supply of food remains in the cities, while conditions in the country are even worse. Germany disclaims responsibility for feeding the Belgians Mr. Whitlock lias had on hand only black bread for two weeks. One hun dred soup kitchens are feeding over one hundred thousand of the needy in Brussels. Noblemen may be seen -slipping into soup kitchens. Factories •are closed. Many stores remain open but have no business. Reports received from Louvain, Liege and Na /nur say that the conditions in those cities are even worse than in Brussels Nearly half of the people who have been able to remain in Belgium are wandering helplessly from town tc town, seeking shelter with friends and relatives. Malines, which formerly had 60,000 inhabitants, has but few undamaged houses standing. The same situation exists at Namur and Louvain

The road from Antwerp to Rrussels is black with processions of people moving in either direction. Wagons and carts, are filled with the wreck age of household effects. Thousands on foot are carrying bundles or push ing dog carts, always moving, but with no definite destination.

Old women and cripples may be seen silting near the shattered homes in Malines, nodding mutely at the cathedral, with it.s shattered windows and tottering walls. Those attempting to re-establish their homes find their roofs pierced by shells, no protection from -the rain that is falling every day.