El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-12-07
POPE APPEALS To CHILDREN Of j. s.

10 Us bv the distinguished chairman OF
the praise worthy commission for re
lief in Belgium describing IN Few
words. yet showing proof of most ter
rible reality. the pitiable situation OF
numerous Belgian children. who, dur
ing two sad years, have been suffering
from the lack of that proper nourish-
ment necessary TO sustain the tender
existence of budding childhood.
In most moving terms. the chairman
has described how 50 many deSoiafe
families. after having given every
thing humanity possible 10 give. now
find themselves with nothing left with
which TO appease the hunger of their
little ones.
Babies Wait In Vain for Food.
He has made Us see, almost as #
they were passing before these very
eyes dimmed with tears, the long file,
continuously increasing, of Belgian III
fants waiting for their daily Gistribu-
tion Of bread. unhappy little ones
whose bodies, emaciated by lack OF
proper nutrition, Dear not tDfrequentlN
the impress of some deadly sickness
brought about by their failure TO re-
ceive the food which children Of their
age require
In his letter, the chairman has told
US how, in order 10 ward off SO mucn
Illness, his commission. displaying the
very best of good viii and stopping at
no sacrifice, has arranged for dis
trlbutlOn TO the children OF daily
supplementary meal. He sorrOwfully
, adds, however, that unhappily owing
TO insufficient means, the comm SsiO on
has found itself unable TO prepare and
supply such extra food 10 all the babies
who have need of it
Plea 10 American Children.
In view of this condition of affairs.
we have considered the work indi-
Gated so humanitarian and so holy that.
IN prompt compliance with the appeal
addressed TO Us by those who are di-
recting the work Of the commission,
We have decided to approve and rec
ommend If, as We hereby do endorse it
most heartily by these words to YOU,
my lord cardinal, and through you. TO
the illustrious members of the Ameri-
can Episcopate, to the clergy and to
every generous heart; but particularly
to those children OF America upon
whom is based every hope of success
for the plan devised by this beneficient
institution
Neither do we doubt. in truth. but
that the happy children Of America,
without distinction of faith or of class
at this approach of another winter
which Il is announced will be even
more severe and painful than the two
preceding years, viii vie, in their in
nocent pride, with each other to be
able TO extend to their little brothers
and sisters OF the Belgian nation, even
though across the immense ocean. the
helping hand and the offerings of that
charity which knows no distance
At the same time. while being par
dcularly happy to represent upon this
earth that Jesus who was the divine
friend Of little children, we invoke
from our heart upon all those who shall
second and aid this noble and delicate
undertaking an abundance of blessings
and heavenly rewards. of which is a
pledge the apostolic benedictiOn which
with very special affection We imDarf
to you. my lord cardinal. 10 your two
colleagues in the sacred college. to the
bishops, clergy and to all the faithful
of the United States
(Slgned) Benedictus. PIP XIV
From the Vatican, the 2Sth OF Octo-
Der. 1916"
Cardinal Gibbons in transmitting this
appeal 10 the bishops. proposed gem
each bishopric