Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-06-28
Helping Themselves

"At the outset of the war and due
TO its sudden development" the COM
missions report says, there was a
severe dislocatiOn of economic life
throughout the world, not only in
belligerent countries. A readjustment
has now been effected and the popu-
lations have become neasurably
adapted to war conditions. Thus. even
countries like Belgium are now able
TO h@p themselves 10 a degree i'm
possible six months ago, though Bel
GUM is still wholly dependent on the
Commission for relief in Belgium for
the importation of food supplies and
would again be confronted by famine
II importation were stopped.
Suffering and want are still acute
in Serbia, Russian Poland and in
parts Of Galicia. Serbia and Monte
negro are still in the throes Of typhus
and substantial economic or social re-
fcuperation is impossible at present
The summer weather conditions, the
through going economic self denial
and mutual cooperation of the peo-
pie everywhere in Europe, as well as
the approach Of harvest time, have
contributed temporarily toward an
amelioration of general distress. But
there are still numerous localities
where need is urgent and relief must
be provided for a considerable time
10 come"
In reviewing its work, begun in No
vember. 1914, the commission states
that it has had its efforts to ascertain
conditions surrounding combat
M n t~
needed.
In Belgium, to which the commits
sion devoted itself. the money ex-
pended for relief amounted to a little
more than $1,000 000 An additional $780,
600 was spent in Holland for Belgian
refugees and the foundation, it is stat
ed, has also appropriated $50 900 a year
for the payment of stipends to scien-
tific professors of Belgium universe
ties for whom laboratory facilities have
been provided in England.
The chief relief provided in France
has been in the North. between the
firing line and the Belgian border.
In other parts Of France. there was
TO immediate occasion for relief meas
ures because Of the wonderful degree
of self-reliance displayed by the
French people in caring for their own
needs
Serbia. the report recites. presented
a condition of great restitution, but
the poverty and distress were over.
Swallowed by an epidemic Of typhus.
and threatened epidemics of typhoid
and cholera. The organization of an
American sanitary commission in con-
junction with the American Red Cross,
was successfully taken up and this
sanitary commission after three
months work under the leadership Of
DR.. Richard P. Strong Of Harvard has
been able to check the spread Of ty-
plus in regions where it was possible
to institute sanitary measures.
OF its work In Poland the commission
says:
The German government agreed to
furnish s500.0oo a month for the pur-
chase Of food and to stop all requisi-
tons in Poland as soon as the relief
work began. Efforts were. however,
unsuccessful. That situation has now
been taken care of as the German gov
eminent has recently advised the COM
mission that. having completed an in
ventory Of the food supplies available
at home. Germany found itself in po-
sition to assume entire responsibility
for the relief Of that part Of Poland
under its control. The commission for
relief in Poland then restricted its at
tention to efforts in the district con-
trolled by Austria, namely, Southern
Poland and Galicia- There again the
greatest difficulty was experienced in
obtaining grain from outside but word
has now Just been received that the
work initiated by the International
Commission in that territory will be
assumed by the National Austrian
Committee"