The Washington herald., 1914-10-25
BELGIANS SOUND
CALL FOR AID
America Is Implored to Rush
Funds to Helpless Nom
combatants.
NATION STRIPPED BARE
Money and Clothing for Homeless
Women and Children Should Be
Sent to Legation Here.

With the object Of relieving at least
some part Of the terrible suffering in
devAstated Belgium, the central commit
tee Of the Belgian Relief Fund-for aid
ing women and children and other non
combatants-has been organized under
the honorary presidency Of Cardinal Glib
bons, archbishop Of Baltimore. The
Belgian minister to this country. EN-
manuel Hayenith, Is the active president
% the committee.
subcommittee are being formed by the
central committee wherever possible in
the United States with instructions TO
forward all contributions of money,
clothing or food, to the Belgian Lega-
ton in this city.
Memberahip Of Committee.
The membership Of the central COM
nittee is composed Of Larz Anderson,
Mrs LarZ Anderson, Mrs. William Corco-
ran Eustis, Mrs. Charles NJ. Ffoulke,
Nine Emmanuel Havenith. n. Monroe
Hopkins, Mrs. n. Monroe Hopkins, Mrs.
Anna Campbell McFee, Theodore Mar
burg, Mrs. Frank B. Mitchell, Miss
Josephine Patten, Mrs. William Slater,
and James Gustavus whiteley, secretary
general Mrs. John A. Logan is deeply
interested in this work.
1t is scarcely necessary to draw har-
rowing pictures Of the condition which
Belgium-and especially those people to
whose aid the money collected will be
devoted, that is, the non-combatants-
finds itself at the approach OF winter.
Cold weather already has begun in Bel
GUM and the lack OF food and clothing
is felt more intensely every day. Through
the central committee all contributions
will be forwarded Immediately.
Nearly all Of Belgium has been de-
vastated. Prosperous towns have been
destroyed. Peaceful villages have been
laid waste. Antwerp, once a rich metro
polls, now has fallen into the hands of
the Germans A large part Of the city
has been destroyed by the bombardment
and the Inhabitants have shared the fate
Of Belgians in other parts Of the coun-
Try.
Thousands Of people have nothing left
in the world-no money, no clothes, no
chance Of earning a livelihood while the
invasion lasts, no roof over their heads,
and no constant source of food to keep
the Inhabitants Of the little country have
been impoverished and absolutely ruined
by the invasion of Belgium
This, perhaps, more than any other Of
the suffering caused by this war-the
plight of helpless women and children
is arousing the sympathy of the Ameri-
can people. But so long as America Is
not directly discounted by the trouble
abroad the people cannot realize to the
full the hardships inflicted on those whose
husbands, brothers, and sons are away
on the battlefield in the midst Of the
most terrible war of history.
Cold Weather Threatens.
Our commerce and the financial condi-
ticns in the United States have been af-
fected, II Is true But so far no people
in this country have known what 1t is
to lose every worldly possession. large
and small; to be constantly subjected to
worry for their loved ones, and to have
ever before them the danger Of being
brought into the center of a conflict
which sacrifices mems lives by the thou
sand every day. The clothing on their
backs is all these people own, and with
the early approach Of cold weather in
the northern latitudes they are threat
ened not only with starvation but with
death from exposure through the lack
ot a sheltering roof, warmer clothing.
shoes, and blankets. The people who are
subjected to this suffering are not only
grandmothers and delicate women but
children in arms.
The bravery Of the Belgians, from their
King to the humblest private In the
ranks, in their courageous attempt to
protect their homes, their defenseless
population, and their country, has called
forth the admiration Of the world. They
are victims Of militarism in one of its
worst phases The levying Of toll upon
cities, towns, and villages has
completely paralyzed the whole Belgian
nation.
Americans always have been prompt in
responding to cries Of distress in their
own country, as evidenced by the sums
of money sent to the relief Of suffering
at such disasters as the San Francisco
earthquake and fire, the Salem fire, the
Galveston food, and others Of our na-
tional casualties. They have sent as
sistence to relieve suffering abroad in
such instances as Russian famine and
In reply to the call for aid from the
Armenians, despite the attitude Of Tur-
key at that time. Many other appeals
from widely separated sources have re-
ceived bountiful response from all classes
OF citizens Of our republic.
Objects of Committee.
The central committee Of the Belgian
Relief Fund is not primarily a commit
tee for soliciting money and supplies and
other contributions in aid Of the stricken
nation, but Is working more to handle
the donations Of the American people
who thoroughly appreciate the state Of
affairs which necessitates an appeal for
aid.
The committee especially requests
since it intends TO devote its efforts more
to the relief Of noncombatants-l
that all contributions sent through its
hands, but intended for the Belgian Red
Cross, should be so designated in order
that they may be separated from those
intended for the relief Of the women and
children and others not actively engaged
In the fighting
Minister Havenith, as chairman Of the |
central committee, win handle all dona- |
lions. Checks and money orders should |
be drawn in his name and sent to the
Belgian Legation. 2011 Massachusetts, ave-
nue. northwest, Washington, D. c. In his |
capacity as the Belgian Minister, Mr..
Havenith will have charge Of forwarding |
everything to Belgium. The work of re- |
Eef will be done as rapidly as possible |
and donations forwarded immediately. |
The committee wishes II to be under |
stood that no amount is too small-and |
zone too big.
FoRTY-NINE BUFFETS TO GO. |