Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 292, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 December 1919 — IN NEED OF CLOTHES AS WINTER BREAKS [ARTICLE]

IN NEED OF CLOTHES AS WINTER BREAKS

People of’Poland Will Suffer Unless Help Is Forthcoming. U.S. MINISTER SENDS APPEAL In the Widespread Areas of Devastation in the Country People Are in Rags and Barefoot—Fuel Shortage Is Also Acute. New York.—Hugh Gibson, United States minister to Poland, Is urging the Lutherans of America to do their utmost to provide clothing for the Polish people before winter. His appeal has been received by the European relief committee of the national Lutheran council through Dr. J. A. Morehead, chairman of the Lutheran commission to Europe. The appeal follow’s: “I hear that your council is opening a campaign in America to gather clothing for Poland., I hope this is being made a very earnest campaign, as the nged is far beyond anything that people in America are likely to understand.

“The lack of clothing in this part of the country is bad enough, as you have seen, and although really cold weather has not begun the suffering Is already apparent. But I do not know whether you have been out in the wide-spread areas of devastation; where the people are in rags and barefoot, and where the situation’will soon be desperate. “If people at home had any conception of the misery of these people, they would not rest until shiploads of warm clothing were actually distributed. I hope you will impress upon the Luth-, eran council the urgency of the situation, and the fact that the Polish people are not now in a position to help themselves. We have got to see them through this winter.” Appeal in Another Letter. Similarly E. Rickkrd of the American relief administration of European children’s fund is emphasizing the need in Poland which the Lutherans are endeavoring to meet In their cauipaign for clothing and money, in a letter received by Dr. Lauritz Larsen, chairman of the European relief committee of the national Lutheran council. The letter follows: “The appeal of the Lutheran council’s European relief committee for funds for the purchase of clothing to be distributed in Poland and other countries of central Europe ought to receive a wide hearing. There is a desperate need for clothing—a greater. need than can possibly be supplied. “For five years practically no new clothing has got into the hands of these people; practically none has been manufactured, and old stocks are exhausted. The rags and remnants which remain are simply not sufficient protection during the winter. “Conditions are especially bad in Poland, where the cold months are very severe, where the fuel shortage is acute, and where 2,000.000 or more

refugees must pass the winter in flimsy, makeshift dwellings. “The American relief administration European children’s fund is co-operat-ing with various organizations to the limit of its resources in order to provide in some measure clothing for children who must leave their homes to go to the relief kitchens. More than 1,200,000 children in Poland will be given a meal a day at these kitchens fpr the next seven months. “However, our work is limited to meeting the requirements of the children of eight and under. I earnestly hope that the Lutheran comihittee will be able to help largely In meeting the needs of others in want ' Old Clothing Not Sufficient “If old clothing can be obtained quickly of course It can be used to great advantage, but we have decided as far as the children are concerned that this immediate need cannot be met by old clothing nor can we wait for a clothing drive to bring results. We have consequently purchased new cloth and shoes and we suggest that any of your surplus funds could be used in this way. “It is our conviction —voiced more than once by Mr. Hoover —that relief work in Europe must know neither creed, race nor country. Only the very great need of those who are hungry and cold must be considered. “If we can in any way co-operate with your committee to hasten clothing relief not only in Poland but In all parts of centarl Eurpoe you may count upon us to go the limit.”