Evening star., 1914-11-27
APPEAL FOR BREAD
COMESFR0MM MEXICO
People of War-Ridden Country,
Destitute and Starving,
Ask U. S. Aid.
MRS. E. C. HENDRIX SENDS
URGENT LETTER TO STAR
Tells of Horrors of Revolution-Peo-
pie Left Without Homes, Work,
Food or Clothes.

consulate at Matamoros, state Of Tamau
Iipas, Mexico, has sent the following ap-
peal to The Star in behalf Of destitute
and starving sufferers from the series Of
wars and revolutions that have destroyed
commerce and industry in Mexico during
the past few years. In her appeal Mrs
Hendrix says:
THE United States has claimed the ex-
elusive right to intervene in Mexican af-
airs. Shall we demand the right and re-
pudiate the obligaticn?'
The appeal for relief for thousands OF
suffering Mexican men, women and chill
dren follows:
"The day the Christmas ship sailed
with its cargo of good cheer for the war
stricken countries of Europe little COM
pany of Mexicans came together IN a
town near the international boundary
and issued an appeal addressed: To the
American People and Their Exalted Au-
thoritieS
1T was a plea for work for men. and
bread for their women and children. and
is the first cry for help that has ever
come from this ssOlcal and suffering
people.
TT was printed in an obscure paper.
and in the natural course OF events
would not have carried far: but copy
fell into my hands and since then the
giving me no rest day or night: Ira.
bajo. Justicia! Pan! (Work! Justice!
Broadly At last l have decided to pass
it on to the editors of great dailies In
1t to the uttermost parts OF the land,
and see what answer the American
people have to make
Shocking Conditions Exist.
The conditions in Europe which
shock the civilized world have existed
here. against our borders for four
years, unconsidered. Mexico is peopled
with widows and orphans and famine
is in the land. At first it reached US
only as a rumor from remote places.
but now 1t Is present il oui midst, On
both sides of the Rio Grande. One
shrunken cheeks, tightly drawn skin
and burning eyes, sees 1t in the faces
Of women, old men and little children.
Many have died on American soil
obscure diseases: but actually from
starvation. and there are hundreds OF
children who have never had sufficient
food in their pitiful little lives. That Is
the quiet. unsmiling children who sit
silently by the doors Of huts through
the long hours of long days. The sound
of laughter and playing children Is
StlleQ In Mexico.
They have endured much, but now
has been reached the end of even tie
and from the east and the
west and the south comes cry OF
bread for the starving,
up to date practically the only aid
has come from the state OF Texas. Re-
lief societies all along the border have
done noble work, but the burden has
grown too great for one state, OF two
or three. The United States has claimed
the exclusive right to intervene in
Mexican affairs Will we demand the
right and repudiate the obligation?
Need Food, Clothing, Medicine.
There is need for food and clothes
and medicines. The need is pressing.
There is no time to be lost. Helpless
ones are suffering and dying Arrange
ments have been made whereby sup
plies can be distributed from the Amer
ican consulate at this place to any To-
cality in Mexico, and for the judicious
expenditure Of any funds that may be
donated.
THE destitution is not confined to the
lower classes. Hundreds of delicate,
carefully nurtured women are UNDER
going untold hardship, and undergoing
it with the silent courage which always
characterizes women OF that class. Less
than month ago l met on the streets
of Ell Paso Mexican woman, one who
is qualified by intelligence, charactei
and culture to grace any circle, and she
was soliciting family washing with
W hich to support herself and three chill
dren.
Il have seen little, newborn babes
with no clothing except worn rags
which the mothers had picked up. /
have seen woman in travail lying on
the bare stones in patio, without doo-
tor, without nurse. alone except for
small child tuggius at her clothes and
whining for food.
Il have seen an aged mother bending
over her boy, who had been brought
back from battle mortally wounded.
even a pillow for his head.
Il have seen a beautiful, gifted, ac-
complished young girl former pupil in
one of the best known American col
leges for higher education, tearing up
her own clothes to make bandages
while she crooned lullaby and smiled
courageously into the eyes of a dying
soldier.
Christmas Is Coming. Help.
christmas is coming, Christmas in
Mexico. God help them and move to
compassion the hearts of happier
onesi
"One moving picture show less in
the course OF week would not be
serious privation. but the nicke!s and
dimes would buy food for many stArv-
ing children. There are many sad
women in the United States who have
stored away somewhere little gar
ments, growing yellow with age. Let
them remember the mothers and babes
of Mexico.
'Once upon a time I knew an Ameri-
can mother with one little son who
was the joy of her life. He went away
and left only Il memory and the precious