New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-07

NEUTRALS' PRIVILEGE OF SOFTEN
ING WAR HORRORS
War is war; and il. after all, civilization is so
poorly advanced that must still play its
barbarous part in the worlds policy, then, OF
course there must e exigencies OF war which
can neither be ameliorated nor mnmized. But
the deliberate starvation OF six million inno-
cent human beings, more or less useful TO their
kind. does not and cannot come under the head
of military necessity" Therefore. it should
be the proud privilege crd duty of "neutrals'
to do all that is possible to soften and mitigate
the fearful conditions of life as at present lived
in unhappy but undaunted Belgium.
The Commission of Relief, acting in London
and comprising representatives of the Spanish,
Dutch and Italian embassies, as well as the
American has undertaken task which is al
most herculean. Work as they willard there
is no pause and no shirking-it is like coping
with the waves of an engulhng sea. The needs
of the people become more urgent every day
that the fierce tug-of-war grows closer and
more insistent. Great Britain has found it inn
pcrative t stop the importation OF grain into
Belgium and all this is coupled with the fact
that under the Hague Convention the German
army has the right to requsition food supplies
and is not bound (save morally to feed the
cnemy's population.
Nevertheless common sense and diplomacy,
as well as mercy and justice. may here step III
and show that starvation and sickness may
breed evil among the Germans themselves as
we'll as among the Belgians by sheer force OF
contagion-evil of kind which might just as
conveniently be avoided. Any starving nation
claims instant help and co:npasson-the suffer
ings it is compelled to undergo are too awful
to contemplate with any degree OF camness
and may make even the sterncst "Teuton"
shudder.
Therefore if any OF Us can or dare call our
selves Christians in the face OF this u Chris
tan warfare. which neither religion, science
nor New Thought" spiritual or Intellectual
has been deep or sincere enough to hinder, let
US gather up the fragile fragments OF our faith
and try to piece them together in one heart
whole, soul-strong effort to save from impcnd-
ing misery the brave little nation, rich in his
torical splendor of renown, artistic beauty and
industrial progress, whose hard working people
have desired nothing but peace and freedom TO
attend to their own unmolested
If Christianity is worth anything in the world
we would not let ne starving creature go I'M
fed from our doors. Shall we leave six million
to such an undeserved fate? If we do. then
we'll may the great powers invisible chastise us
to our own doom and vengefu furics whip us
TO hell of shame and oblivion. Let US hold
out rescue at once with no uncertain hands,
and let our practical i'd be swift and 'of good
measure, pressed down and running over"
In all such deeds of love and sympathy and
charity Great Britain and America have led tie
world by their splendid example There has
been no grudging; no paltry personal discus
sion as to ways and means. For every good
and worthy cause gold pours out as from a
magical horn of plenty; the more the demand
the greater the supply.
And now Now, when a nation starves
shall not veritablc argosy OF gold make its
way across the miles of ocean which divide the
fortunate from the unhappy and bridge the gull
OF tears and sorrow, striking light from dark
ness and hope from despair! ms can De SO
if America wills it.
hall not a radiant angel Of consolation APP
pear within the deepest gloom Of battle,
stretching out hands of blessings and susie
nance, lifting the fallen, cheering the desolate,
soothing the dying and shedding heavenly sun
shine on a sorrow-cloudel and? This can be
so if Americ. wills it. Shall not the true
brotherhood of humanity be reaffirmed and
strengthened in the rescue OF one nation by
another2 In the succor of he smaller by the
greater? In the flu. acknowledgement OF a
brave fight for freedom by power that is
more than free' This can be so if America
wills il.
20 Liberty. what crimes are committed in
thy narlew were the last words of Nine. Ro-
land, heroic victim OF the French Revolution;
but we would say. 20 Liberty, what love is
perfected in thy name| when starving Bel
GUM is fed. Because America wills it.
Hear my appeal. o Star-crowned States OF
Freedom Hear me, Hear ALL Let no plead
ing voice pass you by unheard. For the brave
nation that is dying must live shall lve--t
America wills il!
Copyright b. the Commission for Relief IN Belgium
No. IL Broadway. New York CisJ