The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-10-21
UNABLE TO HELP POLAND.
BELIIGERENT COUNTRIES FAIL
TO AGREE ON AID PLANS.
President Feels Keen Disappointment
at Failure of Plan to Provide Re-
lief for Stricken People.


Long Branch. N. j., Oct. IT,
President Wilson announced today
that his efforts to bring about an
agreement between belligerent nations
to allow relief supplies to be sent to
Poland had failed. The president gave
out a statement saying he had re-
ceived replies from the rulers Of
Great Britain, France. Russia, Ger
many and Austria Hungary to q let
ter he sent in July suggesting that
those nations combine to assist in
Polish relief work. The statement
follows:i
II have now rcce.,ed replies from
the king of England, the president of
France, the emperor of I.Issia, the
emperor Of Germany and the emperor
Of Austria. to my letter of July 90,
1915, in which I rendered the offices
Of this government in negotiations
looking to q fresh consideration of
the possibility and method Of reliev-
ing Poland. 1t appears, greatly re.
gret to say, that there are still i'm
portant differences between the allied
and central powers as to the terms
under which relief supplies may be
sent to Poland. I am disappointed
that ! have not yet been successful
In inducing the powers to conclude a
definite settlement"
The letter sent by the president to
the various nations made public today
is as follows:
your majesty: In view Of the over
whelming disaster which has befallen
the millions uf non-combatant inhab-
itants Of Poland, I feel justiefd by
the universal and earnest expression
OF the sympathies Of the American
/ people, regardless Of racial origin or
Ipolitical sentiment to suggest to your
majesty that the subject of ways and
means for the saving of those people
who still survive be given the further
benevolent consideration of your ma
testy's government.
While no one can fail to appreciate
the suffering and sacrifices of the peo-
pie primarily engaged in the existing
war, nor the differences in the way OF
alleviating the hardships of those who
are the incidental sufferers of the war,
1.-The death by slow or rapid starva-
tion Of millions Of innocent people is
j 20 awful q fact that such an outcome
should be averted Il It is within the
compass OF human effort to avert it.
In the effort to avert it confidently
pledge the cooperation Of the people
Of the United States If only the way
can be found to make their coopera-
ton effective.
May I therefore be permitted to
suggest that an entirely fresh consid-
GRAFTON be given to the possibilities
and efforts for relief for Poland and
to tender the friendly offices of this
government in negotiating to this end,
1t being understood that any plan pro-
posed shai be Of such character as
ITO be adapted to the accomplishment
Of no other result than that Of the
relief of the distressed inhabitants OF
Poland.
I'm conclusion, can only add that
1t Is my sincere hope that your
majesty will see in this note no inten-
ton to interfere with the rights and
policies Of your majesty's government,
but merely an attempt to express to
your majesty the sympathy and COM
passion for the starving inhabitants of
Poland felt by the citizens of the Uni
ted States-a sympathy and compass
sion which they hope they may be
permitted to express by assisting in
the actual work of furnishing food to
the starving inhabitants Of Poland.
II have the honor to be, your
majesty
Faithfully yours,