Evening journal., 1918-05-01
NEEDY ALIEN FOES
WILL Be RELIEVED
Swedish and Swiss Legations
Will Provide for Their
Wants
UNITED STATES
APPROVES PROJECT

WASHINGTON. May with the
approval Of the American government,
the legations Of Switzerland and swe-
den, representing respectively. German
and Austro-Hungarian interests, have
undertaken to direct relief work among
y INDECENT enemy aliens throughout the
a United States. Relief viii be extended
INC needy families Of interned aliens
lrect from the legation funds, while
aid law-abiding enemy aliens who
5 sve suffered on account Of their status
additional committee Of Americans
o be organized to cooperate with
3# legations and their consular Of
SW Secretary Lansing announces the ar
Management IN this statement:
. In the interest OF the safety and
welfare Of this country It has been
FOUND necessary from time to time TO
restrict the movements and flelds Of
employment OF enemy aliens. In some
cases these restrictions have worked
hardships on enemy aliens who in all
<Arespects have shown themselves friend
Ato the United States, but who, owing
he accident OF birth and war con-
pms. have been unable to change
lr status as such and have Of neces-
become subjects Of charity. Like
NC the families Of those enemy aliens
m the government deems It advis-
e to intern are often deprived OF
eir means OF livelihood and they also
Become dependent on the charity Of
Y others
Legations to Direct Relief.
IN order TO meet this condition the
Legation Of Switzerland and the Lega-
- I.. aI|. "a. I...I..
Of German and Austro-Hunearian inter
ssts In the United States, have. with the
approval and cooperation Of this gov
ernment. undertaken 20 systematic and
supervise all the relief that may be
given to needy aliens wherever and
however situated throughout the coun-
try. In the case OF the interned enemy
aliens and their families the legations
have agreed TO supply oil the relief
from their own funds, limiting such
relief TO what Is found after careful
Investigation to be the essential min
imum.
THE case OF the law-abldlng enemy
aliens has presented a more complex
problem This IL is proposed 10 meet
by the formation Of a national commit
tee composed OF American citizens.
which. in cooperation with the lega-
lions OF Switzerland and Sweden and
the consuls under their jurisdiction.
win investigate all cases OF distress
among this class and win control the
collection and distribution Of all funds
that may be subscribed for tbe pur-
pose Of their relief. 10 win. Of course
have local communities working undnr
u wherever the need OF such commit
tees Is felt and viii render accounts
ifc oFfikffffaa 40 fho rrnrh. o,,fh,,.
tiles.
~ feel confident that the Intelligent
and controlled relief Of enemy aliens
In distress in accordance with The pro
posed methods IS a humanitarian meas
ure ln accord with the spirit in which
we have undertaken to carry on this
war;
Treatment Not Obligatory.
There is no obligation in existing
treaties for such treatment Of enemy
aliens as is proposed In Germany and
Austria many such have been detained
and most Of them are largely depend
ent for support upon the food supplies
sent in through the Rcd Cross or other
organizations.
In the case Of enemy aliens who are
now interned the United States is liable
for the cost Of their maintenance, as
III lile case OF any laWpreaker or sus-
pect The Swiss and Swedish legations
may supply them with some small ar
ticles Of food not provided by the in
ternment camps administration.
The activities Of the legations viii not
extend in any way TO the comparatively
few prisoners OF war in this country
The Hague treaties provide that the cost
OF their maintenance shall be assessed
against the enemy countries upon the
conclusion OF peace.