South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-12-29
AND THESE VA
RIOUS DEMANDS FOR AID FOR
EUROPEAN WAR SUFFERERS.

EUROPEAN WAR SUFFERERS.
Life IS getting to be just one grand
relief fund after another For a long
while we have listened 10 appeals in
behalf OF subdued Belgium. We sent
Christmas ships across the brine with
presents for the little ones in the war
zone. our contributions to the Red
Cross service in the war has been lib
cral. Vow we are asked 10 help
boost the Lafayette fund, and here
comes an appeal in behalf Of Poland.
Queerly enough, pretty much all Of
his assistance that we are asked TO
send abroad in the midst of our neu-
trality. is for some branch OF the
allies
We have little doubt but that Poland
Is suffering quite as much from this
war as Belgium has suffered. Perhaps
TOO it would be paying a little interest
on the debt that we owe TO France, if,
as suggested, we would contribute a
few kits, at 81 each, for the French
soldiers in the trenches-which is the
purpose of the Lafayette fund, very
apprC priately named for c.tching
Americans whose knowledge CT histO
~ runs bscE TO the revolution. We
are told that
The snow and wind are just as
cold along the European Aisne as
ever the winter was severe at
Americas Valley Forge and
Americans never can forget that
il was Lafayette and his men of
France who endured the hard
ships and dangers of the revolu-
ton, shoulder to shoulder with
the builders Of this nation, and
who helped them in the winning
OF this nations independence.
But if we remember correctly
France was making no pretense at be-
ing neutral in the conflict between
England and her coionists back in
those revolutionary days. There are
historians too, who are Of the opinion
that the French soldiers that came
here with Lafayette, came not because
they loved the colonists more but be-
cause they loved Great Britain less.
John Jay. first chief justice of the
United States, anG one of the peace
commissioners of the revolution. upon
his return from that mission said:
4
our friend, and indeed assisting
US with men and money, had no
desire to assist in effeCting Amer
lean independence, but only to aid
the cOlonists in prOlonging war
with Great Britain which she
CFrance) could use for her own
selfish ends Spain had a similar
end in view and France encour-
aged her, the two, indeed, enter
ing into "a secret treaty under
which their respective interests
were to be guarded by each.
Piffle, then, on this sentimentality
sought 10 be attached to the LaFay-
cite fund. Let US turn our attention
10 Mexico from whence comes anOth-
er cry for aid. 1t would sem to US
that if we are duty bound to relieve
suffering anywhere. Mexico should not
be overlooked-even though the Mex
leans in this country have not taken
TO Organizing movements to that end.
We have it on good authority, how
ever, that there is most intense suf-
fering among the war-made widows
and orphans IN the land OF the Aztecs
Starvation there flounts itself in the
faces of untold thousands perhaps,
millions.
The point is, however, that war is
hell" and whether 1t is fought with
guns and powder. or with lack Of
food, or Of kits for French soldiers
In the trenches" makes but little diff
ference. Be as sorry as you may for
the widows and orphans. and It is
hard to say it, but still while war lasts
shey are a part of the enemy to be
subdued. and aid 10 them is him
drance &c the foe that has brought
them their misery
Phil Sheridan, dashing cavalry
leader of the rebellion, pursued that
theory in his raids through the south.
Reduce the encmy. ar home and in
the field to his lowest strata of misery
and suffering" was his advice 10 the
Germans at the outbreak of the Fran
Co-Prussian war. and ne was preach
ing only what he had himself prac-
ticed. ana with him sherman and the
other raiders. in their efforts 10 save
the union, ten years previous.
This fund for suffering Europe bust
ness IS being woesully overdone. From
the amount Of press-agenting that is
being put forward IN behalf OF it. one
Is almost inclined 10 wonder who is
footing the bill That some OF the
contributions are going for overhead
expenses is a safe bet. We don't mind
having our sympathies appealed 10
occasionally. hut il is also good 10 stop
now and then. and see TO il shat they
are not allowed 10 run away with our
sense.
II represents only one Of the ways
IN which our neutrality, contraband.
international law. Hague agreements
and such. are being scrambled.
Here's Charles Schwab president of
the Bethlehem steel corporation. who
states that he is just back from Eu-
rope after cancelling a $4,000. 600