Grand Forks herald., 1917-02-02

nave received Its benefits. they nave
yet to repay all of this expenditure
and they assume this burden cheer
fully and with the dignity Of free
men.
Spent $15O,OOO.OOO in Z. S.
"Of this vast sum of money we
have spent over $15O.0OO,0OO in the
plies and Of this sum America has
made war profit of at least $3O.OOO.-
600. Gentlemen, Europe has begun to
take stock OF us. We laid claim to
Id dealism, a. devotion to humanity and
to great benevolence,
This has a wider import than
mere figures. Time and time again
when the door to Belgium threatened
to close we have defended it's portals
American enterprise. that the sensi
bilittes Of the American people
would be wounded beyond measure
would be outraged, if it's work were
interferred with. Our moral strength
has been based upon this assertion
I believe that it is true, but. gentle
men, it is difficult in the face Of fig
ures have given to carry conviction
and in the last six or eight months,
time and again we have felt our in
huence slip from under u.s.
with the growing exhaustion and
desperation in Europe we can count
with no confidence on the continua-
ton OF our governmental subsidies.
We are. faced ut any moment with the
inability or unwillingness of these
governments to continue to find these
vast sums Of money Even assuming
that our present subsidies of $14,-
100000 month were continued. they
are wholly and absolutely Inadequate
to the situation which confronts us
today with the growing cost OF food
and transport. the growing necessities
Of our people, unless we reduce their
already pitiable supply. Today we
must have sl7,000,00O to $4,000, 900
per month. We need an additional
three to five million dollars month.
Seven Cents Worth of Food Per Day.
We want to import into Belgium
and northern France seven cents
worth Of food per day for this 1O.-
100000 people. Over one-half these
people are not seeking charity but
seek the privileges of paying when
their resources are freed. Does seven
cents day appear large to you as a
vital supplement to their native sup
ply upon which they must maintain
life? Therefore I want from the Amer
ican people proper representation
in the provision of $4,000. 900 a month
with which to support the destitute,
and 1 want the American people to
be prepared in emergency to loan an
other ten million dollars month
which will be repaid. These are sums
Of money which cannot be recruited
from the poor of America to the poor
OF Belgium. they are sums which can
only be dealt with by royal giving by
1he r1ch to the poor. as well as from
the poor to the poor and by the flnan-
c!al support of every institution in this
country.
Now. finally, gentlemen, l wish to
put to you phase of the matter
which / regard as of deep national
Importance and one vastly wider than
the relief. The result of this war will
be that America will be rich, prosper
GUS. wealthy and will have made un-
told millions of this wealth out of the
woe and sWelter Of Europe 1t is true
enough that we were not responsible
for this war. On the other hand. we
nave made large profits out Of this
misfortune. The Justification of any
rich man in the community is his
trusteeship to tho community for his
wealth. The justification of America
to the world community today is her
trusteeship to the orld-communit;
Tor the property which she holds.
European Bitterness.
The ownership of this wealth car
ries serious dangers in times to come
ana II Dehooves its trustees to take
account of its responsibilities There
rs growing up and there has grown up
IN Europe note Of bitterness which
Will seriously affect our whole rela
-tions with Europe for years to come.
The only amelioration to this bitter
ness possible is for this country to
properly assume it's burden towards
the helpless in Europe. It is not for
US TO question the cause of their mis-
cry; 1t is our duty to save. The money
winch has come to us from these peo
pie is money in trust and unless
Americans recognize this trust she
will pay dearly and bitterly for it's
possession,
The Justification Of American rich
es can only be her requital of the OBJ
neatlon which comes with riches. and
this requital should not be alone her
duty but should be her crown. Gentle
men. II l and my colleagues are to
carry the weight Of this organization
IN It's direction and vast administra
i've detail we have not the time even
nad we the capacity to arouse the
apathy OF our countrymen. The Amer
tcan ambassadors. Page, Whitlock and
Gerard. my colleagues and myself.
nave done our duty. It ts up to our
country to say whether or not this
work, the greatest work which Ameri-
ca mas ever undertaken in the name
OF humanity. shall through it's pre-
tensions become a word OF contempt
we nave fought good fight. We
nave tried to keep the lamp OF hui
manity alight and to impiant true
in Europe. IL We fail IL II
Will be the failure OF the America ~
people" - 80 ''l "a -