Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-11-15
FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER Is, 1918.
GERMAN APPEALS FOR AID

Almost as soon as Germany had accepted the arml-
stice terms dictated by the Allies. an appeal for aid was
sent to this country by DR.. solt. who. describing the
conditions in Germany as fearful" said that he spoke
in behalf Of his nation. A few days later, German
women sent wireless messages to Mrs. Woodrow Wilson
and Miss Jane Adams imploring them to exert their
personal influence for the purpose of bringing about
such modification of the armistice terms as would allow
Of certain rolling stock being released for German use.
Pleading that the innocent women and children of Ger
many had nothing to do with the war, Gertrude Baeumer
and Alice Solomon, sgners Of the wireless appeals, asked
that help be given lest millions die of starvation.
The reason for sending out this plea for mercy and
lid apparently is the seventh clause of the armistice
terms in which provision is made for the delivery to the
Allies of five thousand locomotives and fifty thousand
railway cars as well as ten thousand motor lorries
which all must pass into the hands of the Allies within
= period>of fourteen days from the signing OF. the ar
mistice.
While it is clear that this immense reduction Of
country where quick transportation Of food just now is
imperative, it must be taken for granted that the matter
has been gone over by the Allied council at Versailles
before the terms were finally formulated; if that were
aot the case, President Wilson could not have said in
his speech before congress last Monday:
1.-The humane temper and intention Of the victorious
governments has already been manifested in a very
practical way. Their representatives in the supreme
war council at Versailles have by unanimous resolution
assured the peoples of the Central empires that every
thing that is possible in the circumstances will be done
to supply them with food and relieve the distressing
want. .....Steps are to be taken Immediately to organ
ize these, efforts at relief in the same systematic manner
that they we're organized in the case Of Belgium" And
as if to show at once that every word was meant, ar
rangenents were made to have that expert food admin
istrator, Herbert Hoover, leave for Europe to start the
organization. i ~
It would thus appear that German appeals are
superfluous. What can be done, undoubtedly will be
done, and that some of the rolling stock to be delivered
to the Allies will be used for the purpose of carrying
food to starving Germans, may be reasonably supposed.
To give German claims priority over those coming
from other countries would manifestly be unjust, and it
loes not look as though anyone has such intentions, but
It may be expected that food and other necessary sup
plies will be distributed on a basis of approximate
equality.
1t might be added, however, that the generally hui
man tendency is to extend aid first to those who suffer
in silence and to let those who cry the loudest wait the
longest Unless circumstances make it necessary. this
policy will not be adopted by the Allies toward the war
sufferers Of Europe-but if it were, it would be but
natural. tlt @