Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-08
PLEADS FOR LOANS
TO SMALL NATIONS
John F. SmuIski, in Appeal to
U. S., Speaks Particularly
for Poland.

Appealing to the people of the
United States to support legislation to
authorize a loan to Poland and other
newly-created states in Europe. John
F. Smulski. president Of the national
Polish committee of America, declared
today that unless a loan was provid-
| ed the work of building the new ma
| lions would be seriously embarrassed
and such condition would operate to
renew wars in Europe.
Mr.. Smulski said he also spoke in
volunteer capacity for the Lithuan-
ians. Czechs and peoples of the Baltic
states.
Applauded Aid to Big Nations.
American citizens and >neighbors the
Poles in America rejoiced when
American, out of her great resources
was able to loan billions of dollars
to the powerful nations of Europe"
said Mr.. Smulski Men of Polish blood
cent manner in the purchase of lib
erty bonds, which made the loans to
France, England and Italy possible.
But even today, in asking for aid for
nationalistic aspirations, but because
they see clearly that unless assist
ance is given to the young nations
called into being by the war that the
great rewards. the great fruits of the
struggle, in which America spent bill
lions of dollars. and for which she
sacrificed a hundred thousand of her
young men. will be swept away. 1t is
because they see that the world peace
for which We fought now rests abso
lutely on the continued and successful
existence of Poland and her neighbor-
ing states
Mr.. Smulski said that a loan to
Poland would counterfeit the effects
of red propaganda among the 5.000.-
600 workmen of European ancestry.
Victim of Circumstances.
Mr.. Smulski continued:
''Poland's present distress is not
because of lack of intentions or fail
ure to function, but because Of the
extraordinary combination of circum-
stances which has made her the CEN
ter of a multitude of happenings of
vital Importance to the world at
large. At one and the same time.
while Polish governmental authorities
have been attempting to frame and
function a government for 36.O00.000
of people. separated in three former
governmental divisions and to acquire
and operate within n relatively small
time public utilities and improve
ments which other nations have had
generations in which to secure. the
leaders have been obliged to divide
their energy and, scanty resources:
ITO battle with the red forces
of disorder on an eastern front of
over 600 miles.
ITO a battle with typhus, making in
from the east and southeast.
ITO the fortifcation Of the courage
of some millions of industrialists,
| who. without work because of the
| lack of raw materials, are being
sought by the bolshevists.
ITO the financing and development
of a feeding program, not only for the
Poles. but for the hundreds of thou
sands nf ref1repS who m a6 n
from western Russia.
Obligations More Than National
ct know the American people will
appreciate that these obligations
which the Poles have assumed, are
more than national they are interna-
tional, and that the battle against
bolshevism. against typhus are Eu-
| tasks, which the country has duti-
| fully assumed.
fortunately, there is one great
! way in which the sacrifices which
these people have made. and are max
| ing, may be repaid. and that is by
| extending to Poland q loan to tide
her over the present emergency. And
| 1t is only a loan. one with strict pro-
| visions for the payment Of interest,
and for the final payment of the prin-
from today Poland will be function
ing as a self-supporting world con-
| tributing nation. I am giving you the
| words of Herbert Hoover, delivered
only a few weeks ago after a personal
study he has made of conditions. A
year from now Poland will be able
! to deal with confidence, and with an
exact observance of all commercial
| and financial obligations. Surely we
| will not withhold our hand when. with
a few paltry millions. we can place
| them on a secure and substantial
| footing.
Unrest OF Europe Reelected Here.
! Unrest in Europe is reflected here
| in America with almost distressing
| faithfulness, and many Of our Ameri-
can commercial and financial under
| takings are hampered by the confu-
, sion in exchange.
| POLAND asks for no soldiers. she
| does not ask for money for war, but
| for restoring peace. for raw materials,
! for industrial rest and harmony, and
| through the energy and muscles OF
her working men she promises to re-
turn cotton and linen goods, coal
| iron. oil and lumber. She asks for
money that she may function as a
great industrial and agricultural
democracy, and that she may be put
| in a position to bear her share of the
load of world civilization. I am sure.
! once her message is understood. she
| will not be denied