BELGIAN SOLDIERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11506, 30 September 1915, Page 5

BELGIAN SOLDIERS.

A WORTHY CADSE. " THE BELGIAN SOLDIER HAS NO HOME TO SEND HIM: GIFTS. WILL YOU BE HIS FRIEND?" TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —May we ask your kind support in your columns on the matter which I think will be of interest to your country ? One of the most remarkable features of the British Army in the present war is the small amount of death by disease, in comparison with all former wars. In the Crimean, South African and other great struggles, half an army has beon decimated by pestilence of various kinds, but to-dav experience, coupled with years of scientific study, becomes a formidable factor in the preservation of life.

Among the prevalent causes of disease on the battlefield are: first, the impurity of all. water supplies, which are bound to become contaminated by the blood and decaying matter with which a war area becomes saturated, and, secondly, the hordes of insects, lice, fleas, mosquitoes and vermin of every description which breed tinder such conditions, and it has been largely duo to the money spent in every practical kind of sterilising' output and disinfecting apparatus that an appalling loss has been prevented. But all our Allies have not been so fortunate as to be well-prepared. Serbia had to pay the price of uitpreparedness that but for tho sudden intervention of English women, hacked by all tho latest scientific experiments to meet, the case, might have spelt disaster, and to-day a similar danger is hanging over devastated Belgium, ior dentil and a hot summer sun are making life for the Belgian soldiers almost unendurable—tho water is in a hopelessly impure state, full of genres—the sterilising plants arc very few and far between—fleas and mosquitoes, which come from the decaying matter on to tha living men, bring with them disease of tho worst kind, leaving them no peace day or night—and shortage of absolutely necessary disinfecting appliances creates a torture from the body-lico and vermin that carries a terror in its wake. The Belgian Soldiers' Fund, whose organisation keeps it closely ( in touch with the conditions of Belgium, took up a month ago for the Belgian army and the civil population along the line of march the same kind of work that has been so ably carried out by English women for the Serbiau army, in providing every kind of scientific equipment that, will prevent a serious outbreak of disease. Field kitchens, (sterilising plant, disinfectors have been sent out, but week by week come urgent requests for more—this week for 100 more steriliser outfits at a. cost of £SO each, and eight great steam-pressnro disinfectors on wheels, at a cost of LJOU to £3OO each 3 according to voiumo of pressure.. It is of the utmost importance that these equipments be sent over without a. moment's unnecessary delay, and we urgently ask your generosity in helping to raise the necessary money. LETTEKS OF APPRECIATION. Letters of appreciation have been received from Queen Alexandra. Queen Elizabeth, and also the Princess Napoleon, who visited with great interest both our office and exhibit at. the War Exhibition. We have also haa constant letters of warmest thanks from Baron de Broquevdle, Minister of War, the Belgian Government at Havre, and all the Reading Belgian commanders of divisions in the field, whilst warm support has been accorded by tho English War Office, Admiralty, Board of 'lrade, .Board of Agriculture, London Chamber of Commerce, railway authorities, Lloyd's Bank, Ltd., our auditors, Sir William Peat's firm, and by America and the colonies. Drafts parable in London should be made out to'the Belgian Soldiers' Fund and cither sent direct to our head office, 11). Jfnies Street. Oxford Street. London, W., or can be remitted through the Belgian Legation, London if clearly ninety out to the Belgian Sohli'-rs' Fund and notified by letter for tins office—but cable or letter should also notify this ofiicc of despatch, so that wo ran collect' without delay. Yollrs . s. ( AISKV. Founder and Organiser ol the I'und. London. July 30.