Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-05

Text of Presidents Message.
The text of the Presidents message
follows:
Extended investigation and CON-
sideration of the food situation in
certain parts of Europe disclose
that essentially the urban popu-
lations in certain areas are not
only faced with absolute starva-
tion during the coming WINTER
but that many Of the populations.
are unable to find immediate re-
sources with which to purchase
their food.
These regions have been 90
subjected to destruction by war,
not only of their foodstuffA but
of their financial resources and
their power of production and ex-
ports. that they are utterly I'm
capable of finding any resources
that can be converted into inter-
national exchange for food purs
chases While the Secretary OF
the Treasury can accept obliga-
tions Of certain governments and
through these measures thair siturss
ations can be cared for teWpoe4ssl
rily. there are still other aress
through eastern and sOuthsf1i
Europe where such a1fauS1111kEt
cannot be made. This applies
more particularly to the libef-
ated peoples of Austria. Turkey.
Poland and western Russia In
these countries freedom and gov-
ernment will slowly emerge from
chaos and require our every ass
sistance.
"From Our Abundance"
THE total shipments Of food
stuffs from the United States to
all parts of Europe during the 4
next seven months will be likely /
to exceed 100000. 600. and from
our abundance we can surky
afford to offer succor to these
countries destitute of resource
and credits.
THE minimum sums upon which
next six months in the countries
mentioned will amount to at least
100000 for such services and
supplies as We can render, and
even this sum contemplates the
finding of resources by SO much Of
the population as can do 50. and
much assistance as can be given
by the allied governments. The
high mission of the American peo-
pie to find a remedy for starvation
and absolute anarchy renders it
necessary that We should under
take the most liberal assistance to
these destitute regions.
Urgency Is Extreme.
The situation is one Of extreme
urgency. for foodstuffs must be
placed in certain, localities within ].
the next fifteen to thirty days II
human life and order are to be pre-
served. 1. therefore. request that :
you should ask Congress to make +
available to me an immediate ap-
ptoPt latboi "a vApVsVVVsVVV LUZ luG
broad purpose of providing food
stuffs and urgent supplies. for the
transportation, distribution and
administration thereof to such
populations in Europe, outside Of
Germany, as may be determined
upon by me from time to time as
necessary. ~
Il wish to appeal to the great
sense of charity and good will Of
the American people toward the
suffering, and to place this est
upon a primarily humantexr4ans 4
basis of the first magnitude. ~
Becomes Mere Pittance.n
while the sum of money 10 In
itself large, it is so small compared
to the expenditures we have un-
dertaken in the hope Of bettertng
the world that it becomes a mere
pittance compared to the results
that will be obtained from. 1t and
the lasting effect that will re-
main in the United States through
an act of such broad humanity and
statesmanlike influence"