Americus times-recorder., 1915-05-15
FAMOUS P|AN|STS
ASKS AMERICANS
To HELP PEOPLE
ORGANIZES POLISH RELIEF COM
MITTEE-PR0MINENT CITIZENS
WILL COMPOSE COMMITTEE
CBy Associated Press.)

10y AoSOCldlCu 1 / Coo.J
NEW YORK, May 14.-Ignace Jan
Paderewski, the pianist, who has come
to America to organize the work which
is being carried on here for the relief
of Polish victims of the war, hopes to
he able shortly to announce the per
sonnel of a national American relief
committee He has been seeking as
members prominent men and women
throughout the country who will con-
soldate the work of the several Polish
relief committees already organized
whose means thus far have been suffi-
cient to relieve but limited number
of sufferers.
Padererwski issued the following
appeal:
The present European war is, on
the eastern front raging exclusively
over Polish soil. is sweeping away
every sign of civilization, destroying
dwellings, devastating fields, gardens
and forests, starving and eXterminatins
human beings and animals alike. An
area equal in size to the states of New
York and Pennsylvania has been laid
waste. Two hundred towns, fourteen
hundred churches, seven thousand five
hundred villages have been completely
ruined. The losses in property de-
stroyed. and in agricultural, indus
trial and comercial productions
brought to an absolute standstill, to-
tai $4,000, 100000.
"A total of eighteen million inhabi-
tants, including nearly two million
Jews, are continuously enduring the
horrors of this gigantic struggle. Very
few only could fee to the places which
are still holding their own against the
aggressors; the great majority, almost
eleven millions of helpless women and
children, homeless peasants, unem-
ployed workmen the very essence ana
strength Of nation, have been driven
out into the open. Thousands and
thousands are hiding among ruins, in
woods or in hOllows; feeding on roots
and on the bark of trees.
ITO provide an immediate aid to
this almost incredible number of suf-
ferers, to concentrate the efforts of all
who may be touched by so appalling a
distress a General Polish Relief Con-
mittee has been formed on neuuol
soil, in Lausanne, Switzerland. The
president of that committee is the
greatest of Poland's living sons, Henry
SienkiewicZ, the writer its members
are all men of high standing, uniVer-
sally respected, representing the three
parts of ancient Poland, all united
by the one desire to lessen the suffer-
ings of our cOuntrymen without dis
tlnctlon of race, religion, or political
opinion
Fortunately, though well organized, /
having its agencies i'm every part or
the country, our committee could ac-
complish comparatively little towards
the succoring of a whole nation. The
funds put into our hands were eX-
treme modest. Poland has nothing
more to give, for she is ruined, and
the interest and sympathy of other
countries are totally absorbed by other
worthy causes
"a few Polish Relief Committees
have been organized in this country,
but however noble are the hearts CT
the organizers, however great the
generosity of their supporters, the
means so far collected will relieve but
very limited number of sufferers. And
there are millions of families helpless,
hungry, sick, succumbing.
'In the face of such "a disaster in
dividual efforts must remain inefficient.
Only a great wave of mankind's pity
can surmount so immense a wave o.
human misery.
"Only great, enlightened, generous
nation can help effectually our perish
ing multitudes.
Nobody knows better than l do the
kindness and generosity of the Amer
lean people. Ardent and prompt,
warm-hearted, free-handed, they al
ways respond with the enthusiasm of
youth to everything that is true, sin
cere.
rs there anything more true than
human pain?
"Is there anything more sincere than
the cry for help from those who sai-
fer?
I'm the name of Christian charity. in
the name of common humanity, /,
therefore, appeal to the great Ameri-
en- people. They have already given