4 A
iticj UmAhA junDrti dcju. jai.lAiU Ijii.
GERMANY DEFENDS
: MOVINGJELCIANS
Official Statement Say Idle
ness Due to Blockade Was
Weakening Moral Fibre.,
DEPORTED PAID WAGES
Washington, Jan. 20. Deportation
and compulsory, employment of Bel
gian workmen is vigorously defended
by 'the German government in a
memorial presented to the State de
partment today by, the German, em
bassy. The .text of the document,
which also has been delivered to the
foreign offices of other neutral gov
ernments, follows: "
"The 'compulsory employment of
Belgian workmen in. German estab
lishments is being seized upon by our
enemies as a welcome opportunity
for; inflaming public opinion in the
neutral and hostile countries against
this alleged last violation of the Bel
gian people. This effort at arousing
sentiment against Germany 'is threat
ening to assume considerable propor
tions, and it may even be considered
probable that the entente will at
tempt to move neutral governments
or Jiigh personages in neutral coun
tries to make a formal protest It
seems therefore necessary, to prevent
a one-sided judgment on this ques
tion from being formed, to elucidate
the causes and-the effects of the meas
ure) to which, exception, is being taken.
. Blockade Closes Factories.
"Those who ire "far removed from
the; war' theaters- aneV can therefore
form only a superficial opinion of
the conditions obtaining in the occu
pied territories in the west, may not,
perhaps, readily understand that the
measures which have been adopted
are not 'only in no wise detrimental
to the population from an economic
point of view, but they have beeome,
as it were, a social necessity in view
of the peculiar conditions which pre
vail there. Those who wish to com
prehend these facts will first of all
have to gain1 clear conception of
the, extent of unemployment in Bel
gium and' its. consequences, The
principal cause for this unemployment
is to be found in the ruthless applica
tion of the British blockade 'even as
against Belgium.. Belgian industries
are" dependent on the importation of
raw materials and the exportation of
manufactured goods, to such an ex
tent that the almost Complete throt
tling of Belgium's trade by England
wa bound to lead automatically to
the closing down of by far the greater
part of the Belgian factories. This is
especially true of the important iron
and steel industry, the textile and
clothing industries, the ceramic and
glass industries, which altogether em
ploy over half a million workmen
in peace times; it is also true of the
Icathea, tobacco, paper and chemical
industries. The fishing industry also
has ceased completely as a result of
the blockade. A number of other en
terprises had to close down because
the materials employed, as well as
their transportation, had become so
dear that they were working at a
loss; this happened, for example, in
the building industry (which in peace
time employs 95,000 workers), and in
the wood -and furniture industry
(which normally employs 80,000
workers). That the important mining
industry is still able to employ nine
tenths of its 145,000 workers is due
solely to the extensive coal exports
to Germany; similarly the quarries
employ one-third of their former
working force of 35,000, chiefly in
order to fill German order's.
"It is frequently asserted in Bel
gium that German requisitions of raw
materials and machinery had 'consid
erably increased the lack of employ
ment This assertion is not. in ac
cordance with the facts because these
requisitions were made chiefly in such
factories as, for one or another of
the reasons enumerated, were unable
to continue at work.
Over Half Million Idle.
"Due to the above mentioned
causes it has come about that out
of 1,200,000 men and women who, be
fore the war, were working in Bel
gian indnstrial establishments, com
prising approximately one-half of the
total population of Belgium engaged
in gainful pursuits, 505,000 people (in
cluding 158,000 women) are totally
unemployed, while 150,000 (including
,uuu women) are only partially em
ployed. Thus in all 655.000 persons
who formerly were earning their liv
ing as industrial workers are now
dependent on public charity. If, more
over, 293,000 wives and 612,000 chil
dren of the unemployed are added
the figure rises to 1,560,000 people
in need of assistance aonroximatelv
one-fifth of the tptal Belgian popu
lation.
"It is obvious that in a highly de
veloped industrial country like Bel
gium the conditions described, which
are without parallel in historv. must
of necessity lead to the gravest eco
nomic and social evils. The sums so
far expended in procuring the mini
mum of subsistence for the unem
ployed and their dependents reach a
total of 300,000,000 francs, and they
firomise in future to amount to no
ess than 20,000,000 francs monthly.
And, although foreign countries un
dertook to finance this relief work, in
the last analysis the burden must be
born by the national economy of Bel
gium. Not only are the values thus
unproductively expended a total loss-
to Belgium s economic life, but they
also tio it much harm. Owing to the
relief granted them the workers are
tempted into continued idleness, with
the result that today Belgian employ
ers are with difficulty able to ob
tain the, workmen necessary to keep
their concerns going.
I Moral Fiber Weakened.
"In view of the great number of
the unemployed, this fact throws into
strong relief the economic evil which
have arisen in Belgium because of
unemployment But from the social
point of view the present state of
affairs must be characterized as ab
solutely intolerable, if the conse
quences are considered which perma
nent idleness is bound to oroduce
among the laboring people them
selves. It is self-evident that the
skilled worker will in course of years
lose his skill through lack of practice
and his usefulness to Belgian industry
after the war will therefore be con
siderably diminished. Likewise, the
unskilled worker, accustomed to a
regular expenditure of energy, will
deteriorate physically through pro
longed idleness. Morally, the contin
uance of present conditions would
have truly disastrous results. The
laboring classes would end by losing
entirely, the sense of humiliation which
all morally sound people feel when
they are" obliged to appeal to the
charity of strangers for their suste
nance; they would lose their pride
in being able to support their fami
lies by their own efforts. The old
proverb that idleness is the fruitful
mother of vice is being confirmed to
an unusual degree in the Belgian
workingman, who is inclined to con
sider life from the materialistic as
pect. In wide circles of these classts
of the population idleness is result
ing in drunkenness and moral aban
donment which engender manifold
dangers to the family life.
. "To ..mil these, circumstances must
be added the ever-increasing misery
of the working class families, who
have used up their last savings and
are nov granted the means for no
more than the satisfaction of the
barest material necessities. Such
conditions cannot but lead to a weak
ening of the fiber, material and moral,
of the Belgian people.
"The governor-general of Belgium,
Baron von Bissing, realized at an
early date the grave importance of
this question for the population of
the territory under his administration
and turned his entire attention to it
from the beginning of his tenure of
Office. So far as the demands of a
state of war permitted, re promoted
the revival of trade and industry and
favored all such importation arid ex
portation as had not been rendered
impossible by the British blockade.
He also urged the Belgian: munici
palities to undertake emergency
works of public utility, insofar as this
could be done without overburdening
the municipal finances. The ever
growing dimensions which relief for
the unemployed.was assuming was of
constant concern to him, for he had
long since recognized that this de
pendence upon charity was bound to
encourage laziness and increase the
number of unemployed. Consequently,
he took occasion again and again to
remind the authorities subordinate to
him to take care that the aid granted
to the unemployed did not militate
against the resumption of work, and
he also urged the heads of the relief
committees to bear this in mind:
Order Against Idleness.
"By means of all these measures
the evil could be restricted, but it
could not be eliminated, for the deeper-lying
cause of it the British block
ade, was making itself felt more and
more as time went on. Hence the
governor-general was obliged in the
preceding year to resort to more ef
fective means in order to check the
idleness which was increasing among
the population. At the initiative of
clear-sighted Belgians and with the
co-operation of the competent Bel
gian ministry he issued in August,
1915, an ordinance against idleness,'
which was supplemented and made
more rigorous in March. 1916. These
ordinances prodvided for the compul
sory removal of workers to places
of work only in those cases in which
the unemployed person, refuses, with
nnt satisrartorv reason, to perform
work of which he is capable and for
which he is offered adequate remun
eration ; every reason for refusal based
nn international law is resarded as
satisfactory. A laborer cannot there
fore be forced to participate in work
of a military character. i ine or.
dinances are directed in the first place
acainst certain organized-influences
that are trying to keep the laborers
from voluntarly accepting remunera
tive work for no other reason than
that it is offered bv the Germans.
The ordinances are based on the
sound legislative consideration that
the liberty of the individual should
be restricted in tfte interest or me
common weal."
German Wages Are Paid.
"Now that the evils which gave
rise to these ordinances have devel,
oped absolutely intolerable condi
tions, the ordinances have to be car
ried into effect on a larger scale than
heretofore. Before they are applied
the unemoloved are eiven opportunity
to enter of their own will into re
munerative labor contracts, and co
ercive measures are resorted to only
in cases of obstinate refusal, which
in most instances are found to be the
result of instigation. The unenv
ployed who are sent to Germany are
placed there on the same footing with
the German laborers and are receiv
ing higher wages than were ever
given in Belgium. .Provision nas
been made that a part of these wages
ne turned over to the relatives wf"
have remained at home. The labor
ers are also permitted to correspond
with their families, and they are
granted home leave at regular inter-
ORCHARD & WILHELM CO.
It . s72s'7
If You Own a
Victrola
; You Can Hear
JOHN McCORMACK
la All Hi Famous Songs
At Your Own Pleasure.
Complete stock of Victor Victrolas and
Victor Records always on hand.
Orchard & Wilhelm Company
'' '''''''. ' ' 4
a rugs r
DRAPERIES
Jfc. ? i plece 01 ""P PtterT, ana broke.. i Furniture, Rugs and Draperiea to be sho..n that it has been impossible to show
the entire lot at one. time, consequently ft baa been necessary for ut to add to this sale ai we find room for display. Many new items are added daily.
- i
Upholstered Furniture
via 1
Ua.O Upholatmd Davanport, mad abundant!; humriou.
i1 .. .. !"' ata, tnymi with rich iabrlea. ..'.... .$S4.00
aa.ea Another, aomawbat cheaper , . 7ojm
? .0S Chain to matrh , ... """ !a.M
i !.0 Wlnt-hack Chain or Roekara, covered In tapaitrv.
f ; 0.M. Solid Mailman,, Wlnabak Chain, covered I with
If1" ' "wiry to niatca davenport! JO
, 15. N Mahocanr Bench, atria and. eavan to match chair
i' . tn mn i .a....,., t ,
U.M Foot Stoola to nateb:.'.
1 ST.00 Solid atahonnr Library Table. . SMS
11.50 Period Style Chair. or Rocker ZM
I Solid Mahogany Din
ing Chairs at 33 1-3 per
cent and 50 per cent Off
Regular Price.
X MM '
Room-Sized Rugs
Manufactured by such well kntfwn maken ac M. J. Whittal! Co.,
Hardwick, Maffee Co., Brielow-Hartford and othera, at aubatantial
a partial nit ol toe nun xouowi:
Price. January Sale Price.
$49.50
41.50
45.00
87.50
70.00
15.00
57 JO
50.00
28.50
Bedroom Furniture That Is Up-to-Date
Z57o Under True Value
Refular Priee. i . ,
Irfut'" Uk6 ilhtttnition' eithw brown hogany or Wi7an
HH2 Shi"01"" ' match dressed '. '. '. " !25 J
4 145.00 Dressinv Tahla (lilt illn.t.fint i. j "1
, M 00 Pnll Sia. Bed, to match iTKei! .. ! ! !
nanatome Bedroom Suite, Adam Style, in Mahogany,
American Walnut or Old Itoit
Ketular Prtee. J . - . .
45.00 Dreaaer, 44 inehen long, large mirror, American wiSTor
mahogany
,lcnn ..Wtt in old ivory finish ! ! ! ! .' ! ; " ' $3500
145.00 Chiffonette to mateh, mahogany or American Walnut $33 50
.. Price in old ivory v 135'on
' f Sn 5r'!inf Table to match, American walnut or mahogany: '. ho.00
1 140.00 Bed to match; American walnut or mahogany f 30.00
- Theae few item on which we are offering reduction of a
raucn ma are or excellent quality and type,
Kemar "ice. Jan. Sale Price.
2S.tt Ieoey Dreeeiat Table SI 2.78
. 174.00 Ivory Dreeaer.;., $37.00
M.tO Ivory Chiffonier to match. . .8M.0O
114.00 Ivory Minor to natch ( 7.00
tst.00 Ivory Creatine Table to match.3I4W
Whltull Beat Bod; Bruaaela, 10-txlO-S
Hundhar Wilton. 10-S10-S
S8.00 Beat Quality Body Bmaiele, 10-614
10.(0 Whltull Anelo-Peraian. 10-6x12
91.60 Bundhar Wilton, 10-0ilS-S
26.00 Bundhar Wilton Runner, 8x15 ,
S0.00 Bundhar Wilton, 816...
70.00 Hartford Saxony, 0x0 '
88.00 Blaelow Beaded Body tmneli. S.SxJO.S.
81.60 Smith Seamlesa Axminiter, x 17.75
1S.00 Keveralble Kilmarnock, 6n0 ,.. 11.75
21.00 Bundhar Wilton, -6x7-S 1SJO
4ft. 00 Seamleu Smith Wilton. 0x12 34.50
S9.40 Whittall Anglo-Indian, 0x12 87.50
rlmnants at sale prices
Short lenstha of carpete and dtaenntinaed mad men'a
B ample, aSc, 60c, 81, up te $2JO each.
Short lenstha Linoleums, to cloee out entire piece,
50c to $1.50 each.
Cocoa Mattinc Stripe, bound, f or uee on porchea, offtcea,
aa ramner, to cava other floor covering, 35c, 75c, $1, $10,
up to $5.00 each.
Regular Price. Jan. Sale Price.
!Ii SSi "otany Draeelnc Table. $35.00
177 Solid Mahogany Oreeaer ...... $57.00
III .M "' of Drawera.$MJO
!!! 5 1 Mahogany Bed to Match. .$48.00
171 Solid Mahog. Cheat of Drawira . $36.50
Interesting Specials From Our
" House Furnishing Section .
The Saving i$ Considerable The Item Are Very Useful
5c Potato Rica'ri or Band
f Pres. 25
76c. Combination. Gratar, Sheer
t and Vegetable. Cutter, heavy
tin ;.':;...;' :.49
25c Aluminnro Sink Strainer. . le
fl.50 Punch Oil Hops for floor,
large site 11.00
Mickel-Plated Tumbler Holder...
I special'- .39
Nickel-Plated Combination Tooth
' Brush Holder, special. . , , ..3e
vicKei-riaiea - soap Lilsn, fits on
..i.... .39e
tub, special
i
85c 2-qt Oval Baking Dish. . .69c
60c 1 H-qt. Round Baking Dish 49c
Assorted Polished Bamboo Japan-.
ese Baskets, at , ...39c
$1.75 Glass-Lined Serving Traya,
- rosewood finish frames .... 98c
$1.00 Wool Wall Brushes 79c
$1.25 Wool WaU Brushes. . . .98c
Ekko Alarm Clocks, 70
fl.OO values, for... . ,'c
Gilbert Alarm Clacks, tf O OC
3.00 values, for.; -3
Our January Clearance Sale Offers Many
REAL Bargains in Lace Curtains, Por-
tieres and Yard Goods.
LACE CURTAINS
Odd pain Lace Curtains at one-
half regular price,
Odd 2-pair lots Lace Curtains
at one-half to one-third off regu
lar price.
Others, from S to 6 pairs of s
kind, 25 to 40 discount
- Value $1.50 to $32.50 pair, on
sale at 75c to $16.25 pair.
PORTIERES
18 pairs, slightly soiled, values
$7.85 to $40.00 pair, at
$4.25 to $13.95 Pair
CRETONNES
25 different patterns, assort
ment of colors; values 30c to 50c
yard; lengths up to 36 yards
, 18c Yard
i V REMNANTS
: Net? Scrims, Cretonne
9c, 19c, 39c
vals. On request they may even take
their families with them to Germany.
Religious services are provided in
their native tongue.
"The great advantages which- ac
crue to the Belgian laborers from tl
opportunity to work thus granted
them, in contrast to their previo' '
mentable condition, are so obvious
that for a long time past thousands r
them have voluntarily made use pf
the offer and have found profitable
work in Germany. Happy to have
escaped the misery resulting from the
many months of unemployment and
the humiliation of public support,
they have been able to regain their
physical and moral strength through
their return to their normal occupa
tion. They are enabled to better their
economic condition and provide for
their families by the labor of their
own hands, and once more to lay by
savings for the future. Their tem
porary transplantation to another
country does not frighten them; Bel
gian laborers are accustomed to travel
from place to place, and in time of
peace they were wont to hire them
selves out, frequently for many
months, to employers in the southern
industrial districts of their country
or in those of northern France, for a
far smaller increase in wage than is
ottered them today."
Man Responsible for Big
Per Cent of All Accidents
The meeting of the Omaha branch
of the National Council of Safety Fri
day night in the conference rooms in
the Union Pacific building brought
out an attendance of close to 300, and
it was enthusiastic from start to fin
ish. Representatives of all of the
thirty-one manufacturing and indus
trial concerns that are members were
present, and in addition there was a
great number of the employes in at
tendance. At the meeting there were two ad
dresses, one by Ballard Dunn, the
special representative of the Associa
tion of Western Railways, he discuss
ing the "Need of Educating the
Workmen Along Lines of Safety."
In his address Mr. Dunn cited that
out of 100 accidents that occur 10
per cent are due to machine failure,
while the remaining 90 per cent are
brought about by reason of man fail
ure. He produced data showing that
last year automobiles were respon '
ble for more deaths and injuries than
all the railroads in the United States.
Dr. W. H. Taylor, surgeon for the
American Smelting and Refining
company talked particularly to em
ployes, pointing out the necessity of
becoming familial with the applica
tion of first aid methods and urging
that ever, the slightest wounds be
given prompt attention, to thus pre
vent infection and subsequent blood
poisoning.
Following the addrssses there was
a round table talk in which a large
number took -art, asking questions
and making suggestions along the
line of safety first. j
Ten-Year-Old Lad Blows
Cornet in Boys' Muny Band
De Loss Thompson, 10-year-old
pupil of Miller Park school, is the
youngest player in the boys' munici
pal band, which is rehearsing Tues
day and Friday evenings at Mon
mouth Park school, under the leader
ship of Gerlacus Bouricius.
Master Thompson is a son of Mr.
and Mrs. Martin W. Thompson of
5810 North Twenty-seventh street. He
is a cornetist and has ambitions to be
heard in the world of mnsic.
This juvenile organization is being
fostered by the Board of Public Rec
reation. The personnel of the band
follows: '
CORNET.
Thoman Burdln, ' William Inom.
Edward Ebherson, William Cualck,
Clare Good!. Carl Mattox.
Marlon Howell, Carl Endres,
Darwin Paul. Carl Martin.
De L.oaa Thompson, w. K. Ouypr.
TROMBONE.
Leonard Kelley, H. W. Wnne-el,
Waller Smith. Rodney Eckman.
Ralph Wadam, Kuicene Sorensen.
Robert Winter, Kttiflley Keebler,
IX S. Ouyer, P:arl Uraham.
ALTO
Alex Ebbeaon, Viral! Smith.
Melvtn Lowery, Walter Herock.
Donald Othrecr,
Frencrt Paul Gilbert.
Bane Douglas Conner.
Tnnor Howard Mitchell.
Baritone Auguyt Burdln.
Drums Lyle King. Clyde Mlchaelle and
Ed Kerrigan.
Three Suits for
Eighty Thousand
Against Railroad
Three damage suits against the
Burlington railroad, totaling $80,645.
have been filed by the administrators
of the estates of Nelson B. Mercure,
James P. and Edward F. Sweeney,
The suit in behalf of the Mercure es
tate asks $50,000, and the other two
petitioners seek $15,000 apiece. Mer
cure and the two Sweeney men were
killed August 23 at Camp Creek
crossing, near Greenwood, Neb,
when the automobile in which they
were riding was struck by a train.
The administrators ask $645 for the
auto, that was demolished. Mercure
is survived by a widow and one child.
Don't
Suffer
From Piles
Send For Fi-m Trial Treatment
No matter how long or how bad go tm
your druggist today and get a 60 eamt.
box of Pyramid Pila Treatment. It will
y 4 v.-
The Pyramid Smile From a Single Trial. : )
give relief, and a iingle box often eurwa.
A trial pacKage mailed Tree m plain
per if you Bend n coupon below.
Peace Terms.
"How did you become involved In u, fight
with that little Jonea boy?" demanded the
stern father.
"Why, we had a small argument," re
sponded youthful Thomas, "and then I
told him If he did not accept my terms of
pwaee I was going to black his other eye."
Richmond Times -Dispatch.
FREE SAMPLE COUPON
PYRAMID DBUG COMPANY.
58S Pyramid Bids., Marahau, Mick.
Kindly aend me a Free aample of
Pyramid Pile Treatment, m plain wrapper.
Nam
Street
Citr
State...
NINE SPECIALTY SHOPS
mm
r
Bewitching Styles in Dresses
the favored models of the last month or so are surpassed
in grace and charm by these latest arrivals. They have
all. that is best in the simple styles so popular just
now, with many added touches that enhance.
J
New Wool Crepe
Frocks
This material lends itself
to very graceful, draping
lines, while the' colorings are
soft and rich ; indeed a very
satisfactory fabric. Styles
are simple, with just a touch
of bright , yarn embroidery
discreetly introduced.
Two Wonderful Values
Xharmeuse and
Taffeta Dresses
Also Taffeta with Georg-
ette Sleeves, Collar and
Vestee. Bead trims and orna
ments enrich these beautiful
Frocks. Yon will find very
becoming shades of Peacock,
Midnight Blue, Copen, Sage,
Pearl, Navy, Purple and
Biack-
Serge
Dresses
if
!
Mostly one-piece pleated
effects, but the many styles
of pleating and the arrange
ment and spacing of tie
pleats constitutes a wide as
sortment from which you can
make selection. Colore, Navy
and Black. Trims are aptly
called chic.
9H 1312 142 1612 292 82 11EH4L5 225J
New Spring Suits Millinery
They arrive daily and each new shipment
is indicative of better tailoring and smarter
styles truly the Spring of 1917 will see Omaha
women beautifully habited. A few models are
shown in our 16th Street window, but on the
Second Floor a wide range awaits you.
For Spring
Just Arrived
lighter, brighter, softer colors complimentary
to the new Suits and Dresses; in Straw and
Satin are now to be seen in our millinery shop.
Styles for both the miss and matron.
From 5.00
Clearance
of all Coats
for Women and Girls
PBICE
522
712
Lot No. 1
WOMEN "S CLOTH COATS
from $19.75 to $25.00, now
Lot No. -
WOMEN 'S CLOTH COATS
from $25.00 to $55.00, now.
Lot No. vW
GIRLS COATS .
formerly sold to $10.75, now,
Lot No. 4-
G1RLS' COATS
formerly sold to $18.50, now
r
Sale Prices on
Broken Assortments of
FASHION FOOTWEAR
Desirable Shoes worth up to
$9.00, but the lines are broken
and hence the reduced price.
The lot includes Patent
and Kid Vamps, with
white or ivory tops,
all-over gray styles,
all ivory kids: also
black or brown
Vamps with ivory
buck or kid tops.
Heels are Wood or
Leather Louis styles,
with turned and welt
soles. We have also
included in this line
about 20 pairs of English
tan walking Boots, with low
or medium heels.
4.95
a)
i
.i1I1I1' k 6
6 A
Faraam and 16th Streets JCyoxjjcc!c-oo-j-CJ
