New-York tribune., 1916-02-07
To Mitigate Suffering.

Mr.. Hoover's letter 10 Sir Edward
Grey. dated December o, is in part as
follows.
knowing your keen desire 20 miti'
gate in every possible way human SUI
fering arising out Of the war. feel
justified in bringing before you sug-
eestion in behalf OF the civil populs-
ton Of Poland attach hereto peti-
ton which the commission has received
from the large and representative re-
lief committee in Warsaw and also
report made a. result Of personal IN
yestigation at our instance by DR.. Yer
non Kellogg, until lately director IN
Belgium OF our work there.
81 have had some informal converse
tom with the German authorities, who
have assured me that there are cereals
and potatoc. available in Poland and
elsewhere. from which. by mobiliza-
,ion and organized distribution. some
sort Of minimum ration can be pro
vided. Other items OF dietary DO not
exist in Poland. and they are critically
necessary to preserve health TO tne
strong and life 10 the weak ana 20
forcfend from the whole population
alreadv incipient famine ard disease
The shortage Of these particular com
modities in Germany leaves no hope
of help for Poland from that quarter
81 am assured by the German au-
thorities that protection Will be al
forded to local and imported supplies
for the exclusive use Of the civil popu-
lation. and also that every facility
will be afforded this commission In Its
task Of organization and distrioutlon
under proper guarantees.
Milk for Children Wanted.
81, appears to us that fats. beam
somo brcadstufs, etc. together win
condensed milk for children, can only
be obtained by mpor from overseas
for which there would seem 10 be a
route practicable from the Western
Hemisphere to Sweden. with trans
shipment thence via d mig or Libau
We would not undertake such task
without the approval and cooperation
Of the Allied goyernments.
"In making provision for food sup
plies for these people we should neei
the permission of his majesty's govern
ment 10 facilitate exchange and bank
ing operations.
"The painful gravity OF the situation
in Poland cannot be gainsaid, nor need
| apologize for the interest TINS or
eanization has taken in the Polish peo'
ple. in addition 70 our other very grave
RESPONSIBILITIES. We have no desire "a
add to our burdens. but II fourteen
months OF service in Belgium has com
mended us 10 the various belllgerenl
governments il il our duty 10 use the
confidence thus acquired IN behalf OF
the Pohsn people
Sir Edward Grey. in the course OF his
reply to Mr.. Hoover, says:
"In the face OF accumulstlng evi-
dence Of German and Austrian requisl-
tions in Poland. some mention OF "hicr
YOU will find in the inclosed tele-
graphic correspondence with Polish or
ganizations in the United States. J feat
/ IL would be impossible TO enter into
anv arrangement with you in regard tC
any scheme Of relief until the German
and Austrian governments have pro
hibited the export OF all foodstuf'
/ from Russian Poland and have guarsn
/ teed that native stocks o. foodstuf'
shall not be drawn upon to maintain
the occupying armies.
"lf. and when. this we're done II
might be possible 70 come 70 an az
rangement with you allowing OF tn
/ importation Of certain articles into Po
land. in return for undertakings on th'
/ part Of the German and Austrian gov
/ crnments 10 give you free hand II
/ the distribution Of all stocks OF food
stufs thus made available"
! Sir Edward is not sanguine as 70 The
chances of any German cooperation II
the interests OF the population Of Pc
!