Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-07-12
APPEAL FOR RELIEF
| Of STARVING POLES
Chicago Societies Ask Presi-
dent to Act in Behalf of
Sufferers.
RUSSIANS LAY WASTE;
GERMANS THEN DESTROY
Pitiful Plight of Land of John So
bieski Set Forth in Sorrowful
Communication.

A cry for relief from millions Of
starving Poles was made at the White
House today through an appeal to
President Wilson by representatives of
the Polish societies of Chicago. headed
by John F.. Smulski and introduced by
Senator Hitchcock of Nebraska.
Those who are about to die make
this last appeal through their brethren
here to the chief of the greatest re-
public on EARTH was one sentence OF
the address made to the President. in
which he was urged to take action that
will insist that America and Ameri-
can citizens who are willing to share
in the work of salvation be given the
opportunity of sending to Poland ne
cessities of life which will save its re-
naming population from lingering
death. Let the world be told by the
humanity cannbt acquiesce in the muir
der of MILL ons of people"
Victims of Friends and Foes.
The delegation pointed out to the
President the ravages Of Poland caused
by the military operations there, the
Russians destroying everything as
they retreated before the German
armies and the Germans following
and making requisition upon the peo-
Pile for everything left Of food value.
These acquisitions by the occupying
armies stripped the country of practi-
cally everything that would have sus-
tanned life. The situation became so
appalling that the Red Cross, Rookie
81 1a+ ha pnlGr ral OF
commission. Polish societies and or
CARNATIONS everywhere endeavored to
inaugurate relief.
The first steps were directed toward
securing from Great Britain modifica-
ton of the blockade that would permit
landing of relief ships at DanZig, Prus-
STA. Great Britain finally agreed to the
notifications asked, but under condi-
ton that Germany would cease making
acquisitions upon the people. Great
Britain pointed out that it would do
little good for relief supplies to be sent
to Poland so long as the German army
deprived the people Of what they had
for the benefit Of the army. The eff
feet would be the indirect supply of
Germany and Austria with relief Ger
many refused to agree to the condi-
tions, holding to her right to make
acquisitions in the territory controlled
by her whenever she desired. There the
matter has stood.
think that if President Wilson would
make a personal appeal to the kaiser
things would be better.
Up Against Stone Wall.
In answer to the representations Of
the delegation the President said:
This is matter which has engaged
my thought constantly, l might say
without exaggeration. and 1 do not
think that there is any matter to which
the State Department has devoted a
more constant and repeated effort than
that of trying to get relief into Poland
know the terrible conditions, the
tragical conditions, that exist there.
and nobody could know them without
feeling his heart torn with the knowl-
edge Just the other day we issued q
cerned to make concessions and allow
this humane thing to be done.
Now ] am simply up against a stone
wall in the matter. If they do not yield
obviously there is nothing l can do. 1
cannot force food in there without COM
plicating the situation. and without, 1
conjecture, doing greater disservice to
Poland than service Her only friends are
assure you that every kind of pressure
that can be brought will be brought, and
is being brought, in the accomplishment
Of this object / desire. as well as all
those associated with me desire, to help
her. and as reminder it was most I'M
necessary that you should come. l mean
/ was not forgetful of Poland and was
not likely to be forgetful OF her. but that
makes your visit none the less impressive
and none the less welcome, and you may
be sure 1 will continue to do everything
that Is possible