The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-14

ance that the relief would be al
lowed to be distributed indeed. they
did more-they persuaded the Ger
mans to facilitate the distribution.
The organizer and chairman OF the
committee was II. G. Hoover, a Cali
fornian, and probably the greatest
mining expert in the world. This
gentleman had already presided over
the American Relief Committee. which
financed over 10000 Americans and
sent them back to America in the
early weeks of the war. Night and
day for month Mr.. Hoover. Col.
Hunslker, Capt. Lucey, John u. White.
Edgar Richard. Willard Shaler and
other well known Americans living
in London devoted the whole OF their
time to the colossal task OF proving
to the warning Governments OF Eu-
rope the teasibleness. nay more. the
positive success OF their scheme for
the relief Of Belgium.
They assimilated into ono perfect
organization, known as the Commits
sion for Relief in Belgium. the Bel
CLANS own central committee at Brus-
sells and the various charitable ac-
tivities OF italy and Spain. They
did not appeal 10 the people OF Eng
land, but they got without asking
thousands of dollars, and from
America with the generous aid OF
Lndon w. Bates and Robert ID. Nc
Carter in New York, they have re-
celved millions already. Thirty-cight
steamers. with aggregate tonnage of
$50 900 are speeding at fun steam
Al. ct I,taar, Yft,av
tons Of food, valued at over $4,000 900
and costing in collection, shipping and
delivery $2,OO0,OO0. But more Is
wanted Five million dollars every
month is wanted to l7eep seven million
Belgians from dying Of hunger amid
The ruins Of their homes and churches.
The opportunity OF America at this
moment Is one that has surely never
been offered to any nation before in
the history of the world. The task of
preserving from the lingering death
of hunger 1000 900 human beings de-
mands self sacrifice. determination and
magnanimity. Great victories on the
field Of battle have been won by these
virtues, bu; every victory in war car
ries with IL also the horror and the
misery of war. victory is afforded
to the American people that will not
cloud one star or smirch one stripe
upon her banner. A victory is offered
that will indeed add to her banner a
star which may seem ever more bright
than any star there posted.
There is no one in that mighty re-
public who can afford not to give
there is no one who can afford to know
that a nickel given now will keep a
child alive for two days and not act
upon his knowledge. This is not an
appeal that calls for money about the
spending of which efiicaciously there
can be any doubt or delay. The need
is instant; merely a nickel given now
is to save child drowning In shallow
water before your eyes. No one would
allow that TO happen without calling
himself a coward for the rest of his
life: surely no one will think a L.ckel
too much to give.
But ! do not write these words be-
"a use / have the least doubt thai
will give again and again as
generously as she has already given.
The thought il indeed unimaginable.
These words Of mine are intended 70
try, however inadequately. to bring be-
fore the hotice OF an immense and
charitable people the violent need for
haste in giving.
People are dying now who can be
saved; those who have been kept alive
have been only kept alive by America
In defiance Of the memorable results OF
war.
When the history OF this time is
written to the last streak: when the
last bugle has sounded and the last
widow Is left TO her mourning: when |
all the heroes Of all the warning ma
lions have fought their last fighe
and Europe turns to regard the