The farmer and mechanic., 1915-03-02

GUM.
They assimilated into one perfect |
organization, known as the Commits |
sion for Relief in Belgium, the Bel |
gian's own central committee at |
Brussels and the various charitable |
activities of Italy and Spain. They
did not appeal to the people OF Eng
land, but they got without asking
thousands of dollars; and from Amer
lea with the generous aid of LindOn
w. Bates and Robert d. McCarter IN
New York they have received millions
already. Thirty-eight steamers with
aggregate tonnage of $50, 600 are
speeding at full steam across the At
lantic bringing 12S,000 tons of food
valued at over eight million dollars
and costing in collection, shipping and
delivery another two millions. But
more is wanted. Five million dollars
every month is wanted to keep seven
million Belgians from dying of hun
ger amid the ruins of their homes
| and churches.
Americas Opportunity, the First in
! History.
| The opportunity Of America at this
| moment is one that has surely never
been offered to any nation before in
| the history of the world. The task
of preserving from the lingering death
of hunger seven million human be-
ings demands self-sacrifice, determi-
| nation and magnanimity. Great VIC
tories on the field Of battle have been
won by these virtues, but every VIC
tory in war carries with it also the
horror and the misery of war. A
victory is afforded to the American
people that will not cloud one star or
smirch one stripe upon her banner.
A victory is offered that will indeed
} add to her banner a star which may
seem ever more bright than any star
! there posted.
There is no one in that mighty re-
public who can afford not to give;
there is no one who can afford to
, know that a nickel given now will
keep child alive for two days and
not act upon his knowledge. This is
not an appeal that calls for money
about the spending Of which effica-
ciously there can be any doubt or de-
lay. The need is instant; merely a
nickel given now is to save a child
I your eyes. No one would allow that
to happen without calling himself a
! coward for the rest of his life; surely
g no one will think nickel too much
: to give.
p But do not write these words be.
cause I have the least doubt that
: America will give again and again as
: generously as she has already given
q The thought is indeed unimaginable
: These words Of mine are intended te
g try, however inadequately, to brinf
q before the notice of an immense ani
e charitable people the violent need fol
IS haste in giving.
People are dying now who can b,
u saved; those who have been KEEP
o alive have been only kept alive b,
America in defiance of the inexorabl,
i results of war.
/ Belgium's Gratitude.
d When the history Of this time i
II written to the last streak; when th
It last bugle has sounded and the las
'e widow is left to her mourning; whe1
\ all the heroes OF all the warning ma
At tions have fought their last fight an,
n work she has accomplished, you {
ID great Republic. must say, I'VE too
l. not one life. We robbed not on
es mother Of her son nor any woman Q
her lover. We saved seven million
& from a slow. inglorious DEATH
ie They are grateful already in Bel
"a gium. A well-known New York law
p yer, who was travelling by special Der
IN mission from the German authorize
o. in order that he might see PERSONAL
ne the work that was being done by tn
o American Commission for Relic
r speaks of many instances Of appre
ca citation accorded to him by that for
10 lorn Belgian people. Amongst other
ms he tells how in one village q woma1
with child on one arm and Ioa
u eno COMMISSION bread On tn
q other, came up to his car and touche
est with her lips the little flag Of th
n Stars and Stripes flutterine unon ~
ne bonnet For the love [ bear vo,
en- nag, she said. 'It has saved ol
ne whoever in America. whether +
,u ,e, De IN New YORK or Illinois. in Iowa {
aei IeAas Or California, in I,ouisians
nm nm Michigan, in Virginia or Tennessna :;
II II Montana or Ohio or Arizona, at tn
"a lhoInent gives nickel. gives loaf /
GU su d Starving woman and offers the f,a
ol ms country to be saluted by II
le- ize,a vorl1 S>ioh Ok the clyi