Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-10-14
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
DOLLAR CHRISTMAS FUND
ditor Of the Telegraph


Tweleve months ago 1 made an ap-
peal to Americans in behalf of the Dol
lar Christmas Fund for Belgians-one
of the many efforts made here and in
Europe to avert the threatened starva-
tion of a nation. The response was
prompt and generous. Not alone the
very poor with the happy result that
we were able to send to Belgium a
Christmas ship laden not only with
Christmas good wishes. but with food
and clothing. Those were the days
when every shipload meant lives saved
Some of our best friends were news
day schools gave freely of their penny
banks in behalf of other children less
happy than themselves.
To the American Commission for Re-
lief in Belgium-the saviors of Belgium
to quote Cardinal Mercier-has been
left the vital task of solving the food
gium in 1916 is beyond prophecy and
must apparently depend to a larger ex-
tent than ever upon American help, one
may feel reasonably assured that the
least. has been definitely removed. One
third of a soldiers ration-enough at
least to keep body and soul together
is now served daily to all necessitouS
persons in Belgium.
The task now undertaken by the Dol
lar Christmas Fund is TO collect money
lOT SlOtSt DOOlS anu ClOIHES, WnlCn are
most urgently needed and for which
special money must be provided. The
necessity is appalling because at the
present time there are roughly 3,500,00O
destitute people in Belgium and the
number increases as the winter ap-
proaches. The Belgians are unable to
buy shoes, boots and clothes themselves
many even of the former wealthy are
now in the daily bread line
This year as last, our fund has the
warm approval and valued cooperation
80 60 80 a..
zens, Including Colonel George Harvey,
DR.. William T. Hornaday, Victor f.
lawson; Adolph S; ochs, Professor
ReieE MeViiie Z. stone Ur% Oscar 'i'sm s straus s.
George T. Wilson. All our workers are
honorary. and all money collected will
be expended by the American Commits
sion for Relief in Belgium. No better
guarantee can be given that every
penny subscribed will be wisely spent.
Mr.. Percy Bullen, of 66 Broadway. New
of secretary.
There are ominous reports to-day of
greater hardships in store for Belgium,
SO desperately taxed. Stimulated by by this this
knowledge 1t is certainly our privilege
and. may I not add, our duty to appeal
peaceful isolation and detachment from
the vortex of horrors and bloodshed and
agony of the battlefelds of Europe to
help those who are too poor to help
This year as last. our Dollar Christ
mas Fund is in complete sympathy with
every other appeal in behalf of Belgian
destitute and differs from other appeals
only in the sense that the total sum
received will be forwarded as a special
Christmas contribution from the peo-
pie of this country to the destitute peo-
pie of Belgium. an expression of sym
pathy with sorrow from one people to
another and a tangible proof that Chris
mas good will. even in these days of
strife and bloodshed has not disappear
ed fom earth.
If, as many have forecasted. Belgians
have heights of sacrifice and MARTYR
dom so far unattained to scale this
winter we can at least ensure that the
old men, the frail women, the little
children-many of them orphans of
not go unshod. And with
out your aid. as we know, the bare
footed in Belgium this winter will be
the rule rather than the exception.
ask therefore with great earnestness
that you send along your dollar bill
and send more IL you can! All corftri-
buttons should be addressed to the
treasurer and each will be promptly ac-
HENRY CLEWS,
Treasurer, Dollar Christmas Fund for
Destitute Belgians.
Broad Street. New York.
New York. October 1S. 1915.