To-day the Commission is feeding close to ten million people in Belgium and 

 northern France. This is more than the Commissariat of any one of the belligerents 

 is supplying, and half as many as all of them together. The ration allowed to each 

 individual is ten ounces of food per day, which is about one quarter of the average con- 

 sumption in this country. No matter how much money a man may have, he cannot 

 purchase more. All receive alike whether they have means or are entirely destitute. 

 At the present time in Belgium alone there are 2,000,000 people who are unable to pay 

 anything at all for the food they receive. 



It has been very generally assumed that the 9,500,000 Belgians and French within 

 the German lines of occupation are being fed largely at the expense of the people of the 

 United States. Such is not by any means the case. Mr. Hoover is responsible for the 

 statement that of the sixty million dollars expended to date, only ten millions have 

 been derived from charitable sources. The other fifty millions have come from the 

 Belgians themselves. 



An article in a recent number of the Outlook (New York) states that as a result of 

 the appeal made throughout the United States, 71,000 tons of food and clothing valued 

 at $5,600,000 and $312,000 in money (total $5,912,000) were contributed, while, the 

 British Empire had given $8,000,000 in cash. According to the Commission's figures, 

 the United States has given 7c. per capita, while Australia has given 70 cents, and New 

 Zealand $1.25 per capita. It is also pointed out that Great Britain is supporting 200,000 

 Belgian refugees on her own soil, and has done a large part towards clothing the people 

 within the lines of German occupation. Holland has, for upwards of one year, been 

 caring for hundreds of thousands of refugees who fled across the frontier to escape the 

 terrorism which the Prussian hosts were scattering broadcast through the land. Tons 

 and tons of foodstuffs have been sent into the prostrate kingdom in an effort to appease 

 the hunger of its people. It is further noted that the French have paid for all the 

 provisions distributed among their countrymen. At the suggestion of the Commission 

 the Germans agreed to allow sufficient from the Belgian harvest to meet demands for 

 one month. 



From all these sources, and allowing for the number who are able to pay for their 

 food, the Commission has been enabled to provide the bare minimum of sustenance 

 necessary to keep 9,500,000 Belgians and French who are captives within their own 

 countries. It was estimated that with the stores and funds in sight, the people could 

 be fed until the beginning of 1916, when further assistance would be necessary. 



The proportion of the load which the Belgians are themselves carrying has increased, 

 but the time when they will be able to carry the whole of it is not yet in sight, as hitherto 

 the Germans have not allowed them to manufacture goods to be sold in neutral coun- 

 tries. Indeed another crisis is now impending. Three million men, women and 

 children are in direct need of warm clothing. This calls for an outlay of $4,000,000 in 

 money or new clothing, for the rigid regulations in force prevent the bringing in of 

 second-hand wearing apparel. 



The Central Committee for Belgian Relief, 59 St. Peter Street, Montreal, will 

 accept contributions and supply any information required. 



FRENCH RELIEF (SECOURS NATIONAL) 



Object — To relieve the impoverished civilians of Northern France and collect 

 materials for French Hospitals (in co-operation with the Canadian Red Cross Society). 



Needs — (a) Money; (b) Clothing of all kinds in good condition; (c) Hospital 

 Supplies. 



Address — Local Branches in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Hamilton, Winnipeg. 



When the Germans invaded Northern France they captured more than 200,000 

 men, women and children, who were found in the village streets or working in the 

 fields. The unfortunate people were seized and driven on foot into Germany in the 



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