Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-21
ANOTHER REFUGEE
PROBLEM FOR GEAR
Thousands Of Roumanians Are
Added to Poles, Jews and
Other Destitute Peoples.
MANY CITIES THRoNGED

Pctrograd. Dec. lo,-(Nia London,
Dec. 20,)-The passage across the
Russian frontier of thousands of Rou-
manians who have abandoned their
houses and property int he face of
invading Germans and Bulgarians has
cast the shadow of a new refugee
problem on the Russian empire. These
refugees have been pouring into Odes-
sa, kiev and other southern Russian
cities in destitute and helpless con-
dition and present a problem which
threatens to be more difficult than
any which has confronted a belliger-
ent power since the invasion of Bel.
gium.
Refugees Number Millions.
Russia has only partially succeeded
in colonizing and assimilating the mil
lions of homeless Poles. Jews and
members of other races who fed to
the interior during the first year and
half of the war. This is naturally
the worst time of the year in which
to care for refugees and the economic
readjustment which the present politi-
cal crisis has emphasized adds to the
difficulty of clothing and supporting
a new nation.
The magnitude of Russia's economic
burden is appreciable when it is con-
sidered the country has received al
ready since the beginning of the war
a refugee population far exceeding the
combined citizenship of the Scandina-
Wan countries, while the resources of
the country have been taxed to the ut
most to provide for the wandering
peoples whose homes have fallen
within enemy lines and whose means
of livelihood are either temporarily
or permanently forfeited.
Relief Partly Systematized.
The wretched condition of the refu-
gees has been steadily improved
through the systematic efforts of the
Russian government, working through
the various refugee committees. These
committees looking beyond the imme-
date necessities are succeeding in
distributing the migratory popula-
ton throughout the interior, encour-
aging their colonization in agricul-
tural districts and giving them work
in making boots, all sorts of cloth
ing and other Immediately market
able articles. A great number OF
these refugee products are now in use
by the military and civil population
Special schools have been organized
in many parts Of the country for refu-
gee children and every means taken
to prevent the war victims from be.
coming burden to the state.
The American relief FUND headed
by Thomas Whittmore, working in
conjunction with the Tatiana COM
mittee organized by the empress, has
made valuable contributions to the re.
lief work and is now devoting its en-.
orgies to meeting the Roumanian
problem. Temporary barracks and
numerous food kitchens have beer
established at all distributing center.
to receive the incoming Roumanians
From these places the Roumanian.
will be sent to the interior. Despite
all efforts, however, the enormity o.
the task has defeated all efforts to ade
quately handle the gigantic migration
of people brought about by the war
The refugee ranks have been inevita
bly, thinned by disease and many have
fallen victims to cold, lack Of proper
food and clothing and the unsanitary
conditions which are bound to accom-.
pany the sudden unloading of vast
additional population on country al
war