Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 77, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 December 1920 — AN APPEAL TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE [ARTICLE]

AN APPEAL TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

Three and one-half million children In Eastern and Central Europe ham no alternative to disaster between now and next harvest except American aM. For months these mort helpless sufferers In the track of war have been » mttted to American feeding-stations only if tragically undernourished, aa« have received American medical aid only if desperately threatened by death, from disease. Winter is closing down. The money of many nations Is valueless outside their own boundaries. Economic and crop conditions make famine, with ita terrible train of diseases, a certain visitor until next harvest. Inevitably th* helpless children will suffer most No child can grew to health and sanity *a the pitiful makeshifts for food with which millions of European adults muat content themselves this winter. It is obvious that the remedy can come only from outside. America saved 6,000,000 European children winter before last. Normal recuperation cut the need nearly In half last year, but unusual conditions hava resulted In scant shrinkage of child destitution during the twelvemonth juot past. The response of America must now decide whether 8,800,000 of them charges, in acute distress, shall begin to be turned away in January fraan mere than 17,000 asylums, hospitals, clinics and feeding-stations dependant on American support. Thore would be no tragedy in history so sweeping er so destructive of those who can deserve no evil. The undersigned organisations, working among every race and creed, many engaged also In other forms of relief, agree unanimously that tha plight of these helpless children should have complete priority In oversea* charity until the situation Is met. This Is an Issue without politics and without religious linos. Thore can be no danger of pauperisation, for tha 128,000,000 for child food, and tho 110,000,000 for medical service that wa seek, will relieve only the critical cases. The medical supplies, of course must be an unqualified gift, but for every American dollar used in childfeeding, the governments and communities aided t furnish two dollars In tha form of transportation, rent, labor, clerical help, cash contributions and such food supplies as are locally obtainable. America has not failed In the past In great heartedness. She has never had a more poignant call than this. Contributions should be turned over to the local committees which are now being formed for this national collection, or sent to Franklin K. Lane, Treasurer, Guaranty Trust Co., New York City. EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL Herbert Hoover, Chairman PrankHn K. Lane, Treasurer Cemprlslrfg: ? American Relief Administration, by Ed- Federal Council of Churches of Christ ha gar Rlehard. Director America, by Arthur J. Brown American Red Cress, by Livingston Knights of Columbus, by James A. Ferrand. Chairman _Flaherty, Supreme Knight *'*'■*■ -*• AjXa Dl,trtbnU«a commitu,. b, Hwi’' Won. N»-