The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1914-11-02
Foundation Begins Systematic
Campaign to AidDestitute
Non C0mbatants
1000 TONS OF FOOD
TO BE SENT NOW
Devise Plan for Further Relief -
Charity Will be Neutral - Help of
Other Agencies Still Needed

NEW YORK. Nov. 1.-The Rookie
Teller Foundation, which is endowed |
with 100000, 600, announced yesterday !
that it had made arrangements for the |
relief of the destitute non-cOmbatants |
of the warning nations in Europe. A |
commission will he sent abroad to in
vestigate conditions and devise means |
of administering aid.
Pending the organization of a sys- |
tematic campaign, the foundation has
chartered the Massapequa of the New
York & Porto Rico line. which will
leave New York tomorrow. bound for
Rotterdam, with 1000 tons of flour,
rice and beans. She is ship of
3,I93 tons displacement. which has
been in the New York-San Juan ser
vice. and is under command of Capt
b. J.. Olsen. 8 j
The ma nitude of the undertaking
can be measured by this first step,
which represents an outlay of approx
imateIv $275,000. John d. Rookie
ment quoted letters from Americans
abroad who estimated that relief of
| the Belgians would cost more than 81
| 600. 600 a month.
| Mr.. Rockefeller pointed out that the
Foundation 5 work would not render
| that of other relief agencies unneces-
sary. His statement follows:
New York. Oct. 81. 1914.
1t having become clear that one Of
| the most terrible and appealing effects
of the war will fail upon the non
combatants-those most innocent of
any part in the cause or the conduct
of the conhict-the Rockefeller Foun-
dation has determined to exert itself
to the extent. if necessary. of millions
Of dollars for the relief OF non-com-
batants in the various countries in
| volved.
This action is taken as natural
step in fulfilling the chartered pur-
poses of the Foundation. namely, ito
promote the welI-being Of mankind
throughout the world.
| have written the American am
basSador in London that 1--WE forsee
the probability that large resources
will be very much needed for reha-
Utilization at Il time when the resources
) now being drawn upon for immediate
: | relief will he perhaps very nearly ex
hausted. Under the circumstances We
feel the need of further advice.
4 In order TO obtain expert opinion rs
to the time, place and means Of rem.
|
dation has arranged TO send to Europe
} within the next few days a commits
: sion which shall visit the countries af
r fected and advise us first hand The
| chairman of the commission will be-
r Wickliffe Rose Director General Of the
international Health Commission
f whose successful experience in organ
! ization the campaign against hook
! worm disease in various parts of the
world peculiarly fits him for the task
. We are also seeking to enlist tn,
: | cooperation Of one or two others. eX
perienced in the administration of re
! lief to those in need.
The sending of such a mission vii
not render unnecessary the efforts @
other agencies Of relief. for the nee,
is widespread, and millions Of peopl
are suffering. All steps which tn
: Rockefeller Foundation takes will, O
course, be absolutely neutral. ..
To avoid delay and to provide re
= lief at the earliest possible moment 70
the suffering people of Belgium. tn
foundation has chartered the larges
neutral ship available in New YorI
harbor, and purchased q full cargo o
c supplies to be despatched Immediately