Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1914-11-05
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AVAIL
ABLE If NECESSARY TO
SAVE STARVING NON
- CONSTANTS.
PROVISION SHIP READY TO
SAIL FOR EUROPE AT ONCE
VIII Give Preliminary Aid While Com
mission investigates Needs OF
Country at First Hand and
Makes Report on Best
Way to Handle Relief.

New York, Nov. 3.--The Rockefeller
Foundation has determined to employ
Its immense resources for the relief
Of non-comhatants in the countries
afflicted by the war and stands ready
to give millions of dollars IL neces-
sary'' for the purpose This was an
nounced by John d. Rockefeller, Jr..
president OF the foundation,
viii Get Report First.
In pursuance of this philanthropy
the foundation will send commission
to Europe in a few days to report
first hand as to how, when and where
aid can be rendered most effectively.
At n cost of $275,0o0 1t already has
chartered ship and loaded it with
1000 tons Of provisions for the relief
OF the Starving Belgians.
This action is taken" Mr.. Rookie
Teller says, "as a natural step in full
filing the chartered purposes of the
foundation, namely, to promote the
well being of mankind throughout the
world"
Sails Direct to Rotterdam.
The ship is the Massapequa, the
largest neutral vessel now in New
York harbor, and it will sail direct to
Rotterdam with a certiflcation from
the British consul at New York that
Its cargo is destined for the use of
Belgian non-combatants only and
should not be delayed In transit. The
supplies are consigned to the Ameri-
can consul at Rotterdam and will be-
distributed by the Belgian Relief Com.
mission. # s-
Mr. Rockefeller has been in COM
mEnication with Ambassador Page at
london and made public cablegram
In which the ambassador describes
the dire need of the BeIgians and SAYS
that 1T viii require 81 ,00Q, 900 a month
for seven or eight months to prevent
starvation
Many Sure to Starve.
'fn fact" the ambassador said
many win starve now before food
can reach them" He added that the
British government forbids the export
of food and that none can be bought
on the continent.
II was in response to this urgent
message and a similar one from III. c.
Hoover of the American relief com.
mittee in London that the Foundation
decided 10 send a relief ship at the
earliest possible moment"
Mr., Rockefeller makes clear in his
announcement that whatever steps are
taken by the Foundation In the admin.
istratiaa of its relief work will be alb
solutely neutral" g.,
Headed by Wickliffs Rose.
The commission of investigation win
be headed by Wickliffe Rose, director
general of the. International Health
Commission and win visit the several
countries affected by the war. The an
nouncement begins.
II having become clear that one of
the most terrible and appalling effects
OF the war win fall upon the non-com-
hatants-those most innocent Of any
sait In the cause or the conduct OF the
confiict--the Rockefeller Foundation
has determined to exert itself to the
extent, II necessary, of millions of dob
lars for the relief of non-combatants in
the various countries involved.
Writes American Ambassador.
I have written the American am
hassador in London that We foresee
the probability that large resources
viii be very much needed for rehabfli-
tation at time when the resources
new being drawn upon for the immedi-
ate relief will be perhaps very nearly
exhausted. Under the circumstances,
we feel the need of future advice
In order to obtain expert opinion al
to the time. place and means OF rem.
dering aid most effectively, the Foun-
dation has arranged to send to Europe
within the next few days commission
which shall visit the countries affected
and advise us first hand
.'To avoid delay and provide relief
at the earliest possible moment FOR
the suffering people or Belgium, the
Foundation has chartered the largest
neutral ship available in New York
harbor and purchased fun cargo OF
supplies to be dispatched immediate
ly."