The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-13
P PADEREWSKl ASKS
 COUNTRY TO HELP
 POLISH SUFFERERS
Famous Pianist Leading in War Relief Work Which He
 Says Is Imperative.


 PaderewsHd. 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 be able shortly to an nounce the personnel of a national American relief committee. He, has been seeking members prominent men and women throughout the coun- try who vii consolidate the work of the several Polish relief committee already organized whose means thus far have been sufficient to relieve but a limited number of sufferers.
 MT. Paderewski issued the follow ing appeal:
 '@The present European war is. on the eastern front, raging exclusively over Polish soil. It is sweeping away every sign of civilization, de- stroying dwellings, devastating fields, gardens and forests, starving and ex- terminating human beings and ami mals alike. An area equal in size to the states of New York and Penn sylvania has been laid waste. Two hundred towns, fourteen hundred churches. seven thousand five hun dred villages have been completely ruined. Phe losses in property de- stroyed, and in agricultural, indus trial and commercial productions brought to an absolute standsti1l, amount to $2,5oo, o,000,000.
 "A total of eighteen million inhab- itants. including nearly two million Jews, are continuously enduring the horrors of this gigantic struggle. Very few only could flee to the places which are still holding their own against the aggressors; the great ma jority, almost eleven millions of helpless women and children, home Jess peasants, unemployed work men, the very essence and strength of a, nation, have been driven out in to the open. Thousands and thous- ands 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 ap< paning a distress a General Polish Relief Committee has been formed on a neutral soil, in Lausanne, Switz- erland- The president. of that com mittee is the greatest of Poland's 1tv- ing sons, Henryk Sienkiewicz, the writer; its members are all men of high standing, universally respected. representing the three parts of an- cient Poland, all united by the one desire to lessen the sufferings Of our -countrymen without distinction of race, religion or political opinion.
 Unfortunately, though we'll or ganized, having it's agencies in every part of the country our committee could accomplish comparatively 1it- tie towards the sucooring of a. whole nation. The funs put into our hands were extremely modest Poland has nothing more to give, for she is ruin ed, and the interest and sympathy of other countries are totally absorb ed by other worthy causes
 "A few Polish Relief Committees
 
 but, however noble are the hearts of 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, succunaoing.
 +'In the face of such 8 disaster in divfdua1 efforts must remain in eff cient. Only 9, great wave of mankind's pity can surmount so immense a wave of human misery.
 "Onlysa great, enlightened, generous nation can help effectually our per ishing multitudes. \
 Nobody knows better than do the kindness of the American people Ar handed, they always respond with the enthusiasm of youth to every thing that is true, sincere.
 tIs there anything more true than human pain?
 '1s there anything more sincere than the cry of help from those who suffer?
 'In the name of Christian charity, 1 in the name of common humanity, I, l therefore, appeal to the great Am l erican people. They have already giv- en much to other stricken nations: I they may be tired of giving; yet>I am certain that there is no soul in this noble country who will condemn me for asking, even before our thirst for liberty is reIeived.
 Some bread for the Polish women and children!
 Some seed for the Polish farmers! l Frank A. Vanderltp, of the Nation 1 al City Banks of this city has cansent- ed to act as honorary treasurer of the fund. Contributions may be sent to the Polish Victims Relief Fund, care of National City Bank, New York, or to 1 the already existing Polish Relief Funds in New York, Boston and Phi1a- l delphia.