Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-12-02
Hoover's Appeal to America to
Feed a Starving World.

Again in full confidence. call upon the Ameri-
people to aside Sunday. Dec. l, and the week
following for the consideration of Americas oppor-
tunity for renewed service and sacrifice.
Last summer. when the military situation was
acute we assured the inter-aled food conference
London that whatever the war-food program of the
allies required prepared to meet; that the
conference need not consider whether not We had
the supplies,-we were prepared to find them; we
pledged ourselves by the voluntary economy Of our
people, have the reserves in food to supply all
necessities. The ending OF the does not release
from the pledge. The populations must be
fed and until another season has passed they can
not feed themselves
The change in the foreign situation necessarily
alters the details of food program, because the
freeing Of the seas from the submarine menace,
renders accessible wheat supplies of India Aus
tralia and the Argentine. The total food demand
upon the United States is not diminished however.
On the contrary it is increased In addition to the
supplying Of those whom already pledged,
have the splendid opportunity and obliga-
meeting the needs of those millions OF peo-
pie in the hitherto occupied territories who fac
ing actual starvation The people Of Belgium,
Northern France, Serbia Roumania, Montenegro,
Poland, Russia and Armenia rely upon America for
immediate aid We must also participate in the
preservation of the newly liberated nations in Aus
tria; ignore the effect the future
world developments Of a famine condition among
those other people whom we have recently released
from enemies. All these considerations mean
that upwards of 200 million people, in addition TO
those already pledged to serve are now look
ing to us in their misery and famine. Our appeal
today is therefore larger than the appeal
the war conscience" Of our people. The new appeal
is to the world conscience" which must be the
guiding inspiration Of future program.
The president of the United States has asked me
to take charge for this government of this work;
to perfect and enlarge the arrangements for food
stuffs to the populations of Belgium and France
being released, and to organize and determine the
need of provisions to the liberated peoples Of
southern Europe, prevent such debacle has
taken place in Russia
The determining factor for the success Of such
an enlarged appeal will be the vivid consciousness
in every individual in community of obligation
and opportunity. 1t is that common recognition of
obligation that now wish to create Such an
pie must be the main dependence of the stricken
countries of the world until normal conditions are
once more restored.
America by her participation in the war has &C
complished her detectives of sef-defense and of vim
dicating the efficiency of government in which the
people, and the people only, are sovereign. She has
established the foundations of government by the
people throughout the enemy countries and this is
the real bulwark Of world peace We have yet to
build these foundations. No government nor ma
ton stand if its people are starving. We must
do our part if the world be consumed in a flame
of anarchy.
The American people, in this most critical period
of their history have the opportunity demonstrate
not only their ability assist establishing peace
on earth, but also their conservation by selfdenial
to the cause of suffering humanity Herbert
Hoover.