Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-27
THOUSANDS OF RUSSIAN
REFUGEES PERISH DAILY,
SAYS AMERICAN VISITOR
Thomas Whittemore Asserts
That Problem of Bathing
Homeless Hordes Is a
Critical One
BEYOND HUMAN POWER

Thomas whittemore, of New York city,
who recently returned from Russia. where
he was a member OF Grand Duchess Ia
tlana NllSolaovna's committee for war re-
lief and who ls member Of the Russian
Relief Commission here said at his home
that Il was not because OF the fact that
Russia was not In need OF American as
sstance that II had not appealed for relief,
but that silent resignation had been char
acteristic of Russian sacrifice.
II have just returned from an eight
months sojourn in Russia" said Mr. whit
temore, where visited among the refu-
gees rather than among the civil and mill
tary prisoners. The refugees compose
vast horde OF humanity, who evacuated the
west when the country was devastated for
military reasons In the early part of the
war. This multitude Of sufferers consists of
Jews Poles, Let's Little Russians and Lith.
uanians, and moved In wagons. on foot and
by train, and were months on the march.
They moved across Russia toward the Cen
trail Governments on the Volga
mo other nation has had this tremendous
problem to solve-the problem OF saving the
lives OF countless human beings The Rus
Sian Government recognizes in these multi
tudes of nations but one-a nation in want
and II was forced to turn to the Zetnstvos,
the provisional unions, for assistance and
the organization Of help. The zemstvos
are the mighty national unions which
breathe the spirit of the new Russia.
These city and county unions have es-
tablished feeding centres on roads and in
places of centrallgation in the heart of Rus,
sia, and further east they found lodgment
for many of those who were intrusted to
their care. II is impossible to say how
many millions Of people these Zemstvos
have taken care OF, rs no record could be
taken; this, too. would be an impossibility.
DEATH RATE CALLED TERRIFIC
Thousands are perlshing every day. but
IN tha elt -N NJ tha nay tln 40
was terrific Whole governments perforce
rose to their feet and moved away, like
the Nomads or Tartars Of old and wan
dered over the face of Russia In tremendous
clouds The acute agony of flight is over,
but the chronic distress remains. Summer
brings It's diseases, cholera and Others but
the winter was made terrible by the raw
ages of typhus. which, in spite of every
effort made to curb it.-raged frightfully."
"A National Committee was formed. 1t
was made up of Jews. Russians, Poles, and
representatives of the other nationalitles
who inhabit Russian territory. and was
established to preserve the national life OF
Russia's great family of nations. The
committee was headed by her Imperial
Highness, the Grand Duchess Tatiana
Nikolaovna, and has been doing wonderful
work in sending out tons of clothing and
the necessares of life to the needy. In
formation bureaus were established so that
families, and even towns, which became
A concerted effort was made to hold the
horde together. to keep towns and families
entire. but despite all this work, many
thousands were lost when children strayed
from their own.
TASK BEYOND HUMAN POWER.
Hotels were established for children and
infants, and It was necessary to crowd all
these humans into every available building.
Several barracks were built to house from
1900 to 1000 people apiece. The refugees
were packed In these single sheds, which
resembled huge barns or stables and which
were made into double or triple stories
The unions here did their share. They as
sisted efficiently and honestly in the dis
tribution of food and money, which was
given by the Government for feeding and
medical aid. Everything possible Is being
done, but the problem is so gigantic that
1t Is we'll beyond human handling.
'crhe problems OF the summer will have
to be met. Adequate bathing facilities are
needed before the winter or that terrible
Russian scourge, typhus, will strike once
more l am interested in assisting the
bathing and disinfectlng schemes-the
Japanese method-whereby the war vic
TINS clothes are sterilized while the owner
Is taking a bath. Thousands have died
because of this lack of equipment and the
hyglenc conditions naturally attendant
on getting these people off the roadsdes
and into their winter quarters"
Mr.. Whittemore said that he would re-
turn to Russia In few months and that he
was at present making arrangements in
this country for shipments of bathing equip
ment and sanitary devices for the relief
of the war needy in Russia.