Evening star., 1914-12-20


IN the fifteen weeks to the middle of Nov
l ember six principal agencies in New
York City alone had raised over a million
and a quarter dollars in war reEef. The Red
Cross took in S344 ,S4l 63 or enough to pay
the whole bill in connection with the "mercy
Ship and leave balance. The German
Relief Fund reached S155,627 90; the
American Hospital in Paris received S153,-
5176S; the Prince of Wales Fund $73,-
777OS; the Swiss Fund 100000; and the
Belgian Relief Fund $465, ,422 %.
In connection with the latter, a hearty
welcome has been given to Madame Lola
Vandervelde, wife of one of the Belgian
Commissioners to the United States, Who
is visiting the principal cities in the en-
deavor to secure additional contributions
for the relief of the devastated provinces of
Belgium, and the millions of people of that
unhappy country now facing starvation.
Madame Vandervelde brings a message
from Queen Elizabeth of Belgium, and the
official sanction of King Albert. The sue
cessful hearing already accorded her is a
happy augury.
Her appeal has been backed up by the
American Ambassador at London, Walter
H. Page, who cabled recently:
The people of Belgium are within week
ten days OF actual StarVat1On. his account
of the situation is not exaggerated. 1t will re-
quire 81 100000 month for seven or eight
months to prevent starvation. In fact. many
will starve before food can reach them.
Every dollar you choose to give will save or
prolong a human life if you give it quickly
enough. No other time will come in any land
when there be greater need. Buy six
parts wheat, two parts rice, two parts beans.
and ship in neutral ships consigned to the Amer
lean Consul at Rotterdam.
The response came with electrifying
quickness. The Rockefeller Foundation
chartered the liner Massapequa, loaded her
with 1000 tons of -four, rice, bacon, and
beans, and by forced sailing got her to
Havre by November IA. In Philadelphia in
four days over sl20000 was raised through
popular subscription for the purchase of
1900 tons of flour, dried fruits, beans,
canned vegetables, condensed milk, and
other supplies, all of which were shipped
November II on the Thelma for Rotterdam.
Then a few days later the THANKSGIVING
Ship Orn, larger than the Thelma, was sent
loaded with gifts from Philadelphia and
other Pennsylvania newspapers.
In the meantime the Coblenz, another
American relief ship, had arrived at the
Holland port with 1000 tons of provisions
for the Belgians. On November IA the
Christian Herald chartered the Jan Block at
an English port and despatched her with
600 tons of -four, rice, and peas for Rotter-
dam. Splendid as this beginning has been,
it obviously only scratches the surface, and
the Rockefeller Foundation arranged to
charter the Agamemnon and the Niches,
which it is hoped will be able to land $780,
600 of supplies in Belgium before Christmas.
A S to the future, here is message from
IA Chairman Mabel T. Boardman, of the
American National Red Cross at Wash
ington:
There are eight different countries in Europe
involved in this war, and Others like Holland
Switzerland. and Albania, are suffering greatly
from its consequences. Therefore the funds
have to be rather thnly spread out. The Red
Cross has not only to aid the sick and wounded
but has also to help the Belgian refugees, as it
has done by sending funds to DR.. Van Dyke in
Holland for the Belgian relief work there, and
by sending 900 pairs of blankets. 1000
shawls and large number OF boxes of warm
clothing.
If by the end of the year Our people have
contributed a million dollars to the American
Red Cross. should feel that we could meet
the present needs, maintain our personnel in
Europe for six months. send the great guam
titles of supplies that are needed, aid the for
eign Red Cross Societies and the American hos
pitals established in Europe, etc. In saying