South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-12-31

South Bend. Ind. Dec 81. 1915.
To the residents OF South Bend;
In the midst OF the New Years
holiday. usually SO joyful 10 all CT
us which we had and are just cele-
brating. with what immense grief
have our hearts been filled this year,
While our souls were lifted up TO
God, and we sang with the angels.
Glory 10 God in the Highest. pray
ing for peace or earth and good Will
toward men. our ears beset by the
groans Of wound ed. sick and Grip
pied thousand across the Atlantic;
before our ages were visions OF the
fallen, our nearest and dearest. Not
peace on earth. but war; the most
horrible. the most terrible. cruel
war ever suffered by humanity; and
this war was raging before the gates
of cities. in the midst of towns and
villages across the Atlantic ocean.
The present war. with all its ma
chinery of devastation, has burden
ed our people. the poor people in
the poor country with heavy
curse. The blood-staiEed fields and
villages tell but too eloquently OF its
pitilessness. The towns beyond the
sea are fallen in the ashes and ruins.
And during the endless marches Of
millions Of armed men. the farms
and cottages have ruined the fruit
of the toll and sweat Of generations.
the culture and acquisitions Of cen
turtles. In the midst of this desola-
ton and ruin, many hundred thou
sands are without a roof above their
heads; the sceptre of famine, of pes
thence, not only threatens the flu
ture, but brushes the whole families
today, depriving Of the shelter,
property and its bare means Of live
lihood. This all but complete de-
vastatiOn embraces territories larger
than the rich provinces of other
countries Words cannot describe
the magnitude Of the disaster; to
understand, one must see with ones
own eyes.
Since the people Of which I am
one of the descendants have fallen
victim to this terrible struggle.
humanity demands that endeavors
should be made TO alleviate IN some
measure to prevent Poland from
becoming a horrible desert in the
midst of the world: and to keep
thousands-nay millions Of unarm-
ed and helpless beings from perish
ing with hunger and cold, and save
the balance from starvation. To the
humanity and 10 the Christian feel
D,
Bend, and our good state, there
fore. / do not hesitate to make an
appeal to YOU all to contribute TO
the much needed fund for relief of
the situation in Poland, as proc
lamation issued by our Pres't Wood
row Wilson. on Dec. IS. Setting the
day or designating Jan. I. 1915, as
the Polish day in the United States
on which the people of the United
States may make such contributions
as they feel disposed for the aid Of
the stricken Polish people in Po-
land. All the contributions may be
left in any Of the banks in South
Bend or may be addressed to the
American Red Cross society, Wash
ingtOn. d. c., which will care for
the proper distribution.
/ am making this appeal in behalf
Of the stricken people. making this
appeal to the hearts Of all our coun-
trymen. and TO people of other ma
tons. to come to our assistance with
what aid they can afford: for alone
we cannot heal the wounds inflicted
by this unparraled disaster.
Twice already. in the history Of
this war, our ancient Poland is in
danger, and was. but God has pro-
tected it; was IT not that it should
be now. ss in centuries past. the
heart of Poland. Poland filed with
blOodshed and devasting fires? The
heart must embrace 8ll, protect all.
and l am making this appeal for all
those who cannot now do so for
themselves. Let then a cry go forth