Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-10-18

Long Branch. n. j.. Oct H.-President
Wilson announced today that hin efforts |
to bring about an agreement among bel
ligerent nations to allow relief supplies
to be sent to Poland had failed
The President gave out q statement
saying he had received replies from the
hulers Of Great Britain, France, Russia,
Germany and Austria Hungary to q let
ter he sent in July suggesting that those
nations combine to assist in Polish re-
lief work. ~f
The statement follows.
II have now receipts replies from the
King Of England. the President Of France.
the Emperor Of Russia. tho Emperor of
Germany and the Emperor Of Austria,
to my letter of July 90 1916. in which I
rendered the offices Of this government
in negotiations looking to a fresh con-
sideration Of the possibility and method Of
relieving Poland. 1t appears, 1 greatly re-
gret to say. that there are still important
differences between the Allied and Cen
trail powers as to the terms under which
| relief supplies may be sent to Poland"
The letter sent by the President to tho
various nations. made public today, fol-
| lows:
"Your Majesty: In view of the over
whelming disaster which has befal!en the
millions Of non-combatant inhabitants of
Poland. feel justified by the universal
and earnest expression of the sympathies
OF the American people, regardless Of ra-
cial origin or political sentiment. to sug-
gest to Your Majesty that the subject
on ways and means for the saving Of
those people who still survive be given
the further benevolent consideration Of
Your Majesty's government.
while no one can fail to appreviate
the sufferings and sacrifices Of the people
primarily engaged in the existing war,
nor the difficulties in the way Of allie
waiting the hardships Of those who are
the instrumental sufferers of tho war. the
death by slow or rapid starvation Of mil
lions Of innocent people is SO awful fact
that such an outcome should be averted
if 1t Is within the compass Of human ef-
fort to avert it. In the effort to avert 1t
confidently pledge the cooperation Of
the people Of the United States If only
the way can be found to make their CO.
operation effective.
May I therefore be permitted to
suggest that an entirely fresh consid-
Grafton be given to the possibilities and
efforts for relief of Poland, and to
render the friendly office of this gov
eminent in negotiations to this end. 1t
being understood that any plan pro-
posed shall be Of such a character as
to be adapted to the accomplishment
of no other result than that Of the re-
lief of the distressed inhabitants Of
Poland.
I'm conclusion can only add that
it is my sincere hope that Your Majes-
ty will see in this note noiintention TO
interfere with the, rights and policies
of Your Majestys' government. but
merely an attempt to express to Your
Majesty the sympathy and compassion
for the starving Inhabitants Of Poland
felt by the citizens OF the United
States-a sympathy and compassion
which they do not desire shall be evil
denced merely by our word. but which
they hope they may be permitted to ex-
press by assisting in the actual work
Of furnishing food to the starving in
habitants of Poland.
Il have the honor to be, Your Ma
jesty.
. Faithfully yours.
WOODROW WILSON"