New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-24
BELGIUM PLEADS
AGAIN FOR HELP
Cardinal MERCER, Thank
ing America, Pictures
Labor'S Distress.
SAVINGS OF IDLE
WORKMEN GONE
Moral Influence Real Reward of
Givers. Says Appeal TO
Herbert c. Hoover.

London, Dec. 23.-Regretting that
the Belgians should be compelled
sgain to stretch 70 them the open
hand 70 beg" Cardinal Mercier,
Primate of Belgium. in a letter to Her
bert c. Hoover, chairman Of the
American Committee for Relief in Bel
GUM, pleads anew for his suffering
countrymen.
The Cardinal pictures the pathetic
condition Of Belgian workmen. and
thanks America, interpreter OF the
feelings Of me Belgian population"
for distributing aid through hands as
delicate as they are discreet"
The letter Of Cardinal MERCER fol-
lows:
81 understand YOU have so kindly
addressed anew an appeal to the gen
crosby Of your countrymen TO pro
vide clothing for our so painfully des-
titute people confess | had much
preferred to shake hands with my
American brothers in token Of thank
fulness for what they already have
done than that we should again stretch
10 them the open hand 70 beg.
Wanted Thanks 81 ntarnished."
Your country has already done so
much for Us; it has given us much in
( food and, above all. in personal CO.
operation for our economic rehabili-
tatiou; it brings US that help with
such a moving and complete spon-
taneity that We have long desired TO
convey to your people full EXPIRES
sion Of gratitude. untarnished by re
rewed appeals 30 their generous i'm
pulses
But, you yourself, dear friend, in
woke us to appease our scruples, and
therefore /, knowing better than any
one ahe restitution Of our Belgian peo-
pie, should feel myself traitor to my
duty as their pastor # through an ex-
aggerated feeling Of national pride
should refrain from also pleading for
those who are suffering.
only yesterday tears arose in my
eyes when, crossing the street in Ma
lines, 1 met a party OF strong, honest
workmen with STOPPING heads, their
eyes fixed on new clogs. These were
men habltuated 70 the support Of wives
and children through their own labor.
but had been for fifteen months with
/ out work
THE last Of their savings are ex-
+ hausted. Their shoes we're worn out
and the relief committee had distrib-
I uted among them some clogs, with the
/ injunction to use the leather rags from
the wornout shoes as Innings to keep
their feet from dampness.
Touched by Way America Gave.
"You Americans. who prize highly the
value Of labor and SO possess the ma
ural impulse of earning comfort an
success by your own exertIons. vii.
we'll understand the mental suffering
Of noble souls forced to deperd On
charity. Therefore you also know how
TO hide your liberalties under anony-
nous wells and how TO distribute them
through hands as delicate as they ar"
discreet. Interpreter Of the feelings OF
the Belgian population, we thank you
as much and more for your way o. CIV
ing than for the gifts themselves.
May | add that one Of the greatest
/ benefits for which We shall feel eter-
nally indebted 10 the American people.
will be the fixing or America Of the
admiriug attention OF the Belgians.
I The Belgian people nave learned 20
know you. TO LOOK at you in beautiful
light. 10 feel 90 some extent what they
would gain iu following your footsteps.
viii Initiate Their Benefactors.
When the hour Of reconstruction
comes we will invoke them TO keep
their eve on your great land Of fecun-
dating initiatives; your land Of amoi-
ton for more comfort, not through GOV
etousness Of other peoples wealth, but
through tenacious will 20 individual en-
deavor. with n patriotism that ignores
civil discord and draws its strength
from a collective love for national
progress; yes. we viii invoke our people
20 initiate your high virtues, and we are
confident that our bcnefactors will 'iHG
in this spreading Of their own moral
influence their real reward.
please accept, dear friend. the eH-
preston Of my high esteem and de-
voted gratitude. -
CARDINAL MERCER.
"Archb bishop of Malines.'