The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-01-21
Movement for the ReliefEofc Sufferers by
the European Wharf.-The Friends
s&a .9a - in the Field ftffff0

The Society of Friends in England, faithful to
the sentiments Of humanity and charity which
have become traditional among them, have under
taken to collect and administer a subscription for
the benefit of the non-combatant sufferers by the
French and German War, as distinguished from
soldiers relieved by the funds for the sick and
wounded. The liberal efforts already made in,
England in this direction have not suihced for
more than partial and temporary relief, Tor the
distress is vast and far-reaching. immense districts
on the coast of France being almost devastated,
and thousands of people left p~enniless and home
less, with winter close upon them, and no pros
rect of help but from foreign beaevoience. In
Germany. also, many extreme cases OF suffering
occur, and as the season advances the suffering OF
the destitute must increase in bitterness The
action, taken by the Society of Friends in England
to obtain relief is Enthusiastically wise and
practical. A central committee of twenty of
their members chosen from the, metropolis and
provinces, sits permanently in London. and local
committees have been formed in connection with
them all over the kingdom. This organization is
similar to that formed by the English Friends
during the Irish famine of lS47. The amounts
already promised or subscribed reach $40, 600.
Several Friends have already gone to the suffering
districts, to investigate and relieve specially
urgent cases, and others will follow. Those going
out bear documents from the French and Prussian
ambassadors in London, copies Of which we SUBJ
join. One of the committees is stationed at
Brussels to superintend the purchasing and for
warding of supplies. A Hebrew gentleman in
London has placed at the disposal Of the Friends
a warehouse IN that city, (worth So 900 a year
rent,) free of charge, as a central depot for cloth
ing and materials, the latter of which will be
made up by the women Friends. |
Other denominations are beginning to place
contributions at their disposal, giving notice from
their pulpits, and in some instances reading their
appeals publicly. But the Friends feel that, in a
work as great as they have undertaken, they will
q ISO nnp6 tho aid Of thn honaunlant ~ OtIar n0,a
tries. They have therefore called upon the Friends
of the principal cities of the United States, in
Guiding our own,t to organize and solicit su bscrip-
tions and assistance here for the same benevolent
purpose There is no doubt a yearning in the
hearts of the people of this country to render as
sistance to the unhappy sufferers by this great
war, whose calamities experience has enabled
many of us to realize. This large and prevalent
sympathy has to a large extent been passive
hitherto, waiting the best way to be offered for
its exercise, and that want is now met. The in
tegrity and activity, the business habits, the
sound judgment, the order and system of the
Friends, are as proyerbial as their humanity, and
hence they are at once recognized as reliable and
efficient agents in such a work. In the year of
the Irish famine, the benevolent of this country
availed themselves Of the agency of the Friends to
their contributions. The cooperation
now proposed from this side, without respect to
denominations, can perhaps be more effectually
carried out In this than any other manner. We )
trust tnat tnelr appeals Will meet response which,
in connection with that of other nations, will be
to relieve the immense and bitter suffer
ings of our afflicted European fellowmen. After j
the battle of Leipsic, in 1873, E30O, 900 were t
raised in the United Kingdom for the distressed |
peasantry and others in Germany. No doubt t
Great Britain will do even more now, for the ne Z
,essity is greater. Let it be our ambition to rival
in such good deeds rather than in war.
S~ubjoined are the documents Of the French and '
ambassadors referred to above, with a
which, in addition to passports, each of the (
friends going to the scene Ofsuffering is furnished "a
ssa 80 From the French Ambassador. c
3 We, the charge d'affaires of France at London L
'eg the military and civil authorities of the French a
epublic to allow to pass Messrs. William Jones Q
nd Henry j.. Allen, English subjects. and mem l
of the religious society called Quakers, going G
o France in order to relieve those suffering under n
he present war. Gstf.s-s-'4aa taF sn,gfs ovi \,
ross From the PruSsian Ambassador. 1,eq 81
We, the undersigned, minister Of state and am "
assador for the King of the North German II
confederation at the Court Of Great Britain, re-
uest humbly the German military and civil
to assist the bearers of this, Messrs. t
William Jones and Henry j. Allen, in their mis- ei
ion. They 60 in the name of a religious society al