Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-26
THE CHRISTMAS SHIP.


Il has been argued that Rock Island
ers can I'll afford TO contribute to a
Santa Claus ship for the children OF
Europe when there are so many poor
in actual want at home. Local chart
table institutions are finding the de-
mands upon them greater than they
have been able to meet and they fore
see even worse conditions when cold
weather sets in. II IS contended by
some that whatever is sent abroad
will be taken from needy ones at
home.
This view, while inspired by the
best OF motives, is a mistaken one
No doubt there are many in need here
in Rock Island and throughout the
United States. We are feeling the
effects of the war in many tays, and
as usual the ones who are nearest the
bread line are the hardest hit. Rock
Island and every other city of its size.
has a real problem in caring for its
poor the coming winter.
But to seek to carry the impression
that conditions here are in any way
comparable to those in Europe, par
ticularly in the regions devastated by
actual warfare. is placing our situa-
ton in altogether too bad light. We
have our families intact. our homes
are still standing, most of us have our
regular incomes and the sources OF
our supplies have not been cut on
through military necessity. These
things are otherwise over a large part
OF Europe. The able-bodied men are
in the army and many of them have
been killed or wounded. Whole cities
have been destroyed, all sources of
income are cut of and foods and other
supplies appropriated for the use of
the armies Added to the loss oil
homes and the breaking up of families.
the people by thousands are facing
actual starvation and death from ex-
posure. The situation is terrible in
the extreme While it has been par
alleled in smaller districts. never has
there been so vast a field OF human
misery.
If Americans should have the fear
full scenes now being enacted in Europe
brought to their doors few would hes
itate to empty their pockets and d.
vide their stores 10 alleviate the suf-
ering. All that is asked now is small
contribution from a great many peo-
pie to cheer such OF the needy chill
dren of Europe as can be reached at
Christmas time. II is obviously i'm
possible for us to restore their dead
to them. heal the wounds of the in
jured, or even provide adequate shell
ter and food for them. All we can
hope to do is to show our sympathy as
a nation, in some tangible form The
Christmas ship offers a means for this
and thousands are Joining in the work
OF Quitting it. For the safe delivery
OF its cargo to those for whom II is in
tended We may safely trust the ones
who have engaged to look after it.
Even IL II should never reach its des-
tination the fact that II had been sent
would serve as future bond between
the people of this country and those
OF the lands for which it was intended.
1t is not the desire of The Argus
or of any OF the other newspapers as
ISOLATED with IL in this work, that
people shall deprive themselves or
those dependent upon them to give to
this cause. No pressure is being
brought to bear to carry the plan
through. 1t is merely meant to call
the attention of the American people
to conditions as they are and to give
them an opportunity to make an offer
ing. IL they desire, as part of a tribute
from the people OF favored nation to
the people OF countries which are in
deep trouble.
In the face OF human suffering to an
extent never before experienced on
earth the United States. which has
been spared from all the more cruel
features, will hardly be playing the
part of a civilized nation If It does
nothing to at least prove its sympathy,
and Rock Island can i'll afford to hold
aloof. pleading the burden of its own
petty troubles.