Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-01-30
Thursday, January 30, 1919.
Why Not Answer serbia's Appeal?


Help from the United States in her
enormous task Of reconstruction is
desired by the kingdom Of Serbia
one OF the early and relatively most
severe sufferers from the ruthlessness
Of the Hun. There are many who
believe that tins aid :hould be ex-
terdc1 if practicable Without involv-
ing this nation in the internal affairs
Of Serbia.
request was recently made by
the Serbian government for two regi-
mcnt, OF American engineers to be
sent 10 that stric en- land to aid in
huiIdin. up the country and restoring
order. Tie request was refused. anG
cor thv refusal logical arguments can
be adduced. However. early in De-
cefnber OF last year. the Serbs offered
a different proposition. The War
Department was adv ed at there
are considerably more than Eaif a
million males OF Slavic origin in this
country who are not American Citi-
ls. many of whom Will return 10
their native SOL TO Serbia. Croatia.
Slovenia and other parts Of the Bal
kans. now that their countries have
thrown off the yoke of Austrian op-
preston. II was explained that these
hH Ind ,.lp he lay Ic
Legion. which was authorized by
Congress in the army appropriations
acts. passed June 81. 1918. which law
holds. at least. until the peace treaty
10 sis,ed. Only 1000 men are wanted
ii was explained. while offers were
made to recruit from 90, 900 to 10000
Slavs in this country. if the govern
ment would equip them and transport
them to Serbia las provided by law,
where they would for year or so be
employed in the cultivation Of the soil
and the restoration Of industry and
railroads destroyed by the sabotage
and ruthlessness of the unspeakable
Turk. In other words, what is want
I'd is the chance TO raise and train
Two regiments OF Jugoslavs. one of
engineers, the other Of motor trans
port, not for the purposes of fighting.
tu, to help the people of Serbia to
help themselves" Up to this time,
no action has been taken by the ad-
ministration.
Wilson, Baker. Daniels and Creel
and a host Of camp followers have
expounded the theory of kind treat
ment toward the small nations, yet
when it comes to lending practical
aid to Serbia, which lies bleeding,
ruined. devastated, raped, her ma
tional identity almost obliterated by
the vandal Hun and atrocious Turk.
the administration takes no practical
action. The appalling economic con-
dition of Serbia Is easily perceived
when it is remembered that the
horses and oxen. ploughs and harrows
and other agricultural implements
J.. 90 been carried off. Villages have
Len wrecked and plundered Hun
dreds Of bridges and tunnels have
beer destroyed. The railway repair
ing shop at Nish, the only one in
Serbia. has been dynamited. The
locomotives and rolling stock have
either been carried off or destroyed
and the railway lines seriously dam
aged. In word, everything that
could prevent the resumption of pub
lie life and private existence has been
done.
Unless the state of this is rem
tdied." says Capt. Gordan- Smith, who
has made an exhaustive study of the
situation. and that speedily. the
Serbian peasant will not be able to till
and SOW his land and the present state
of famine ana desolation will con-
tinue indefinitely. AS a consequence,
the four million inhabitants Of Serbia
will remain charge on the hands of
the United States and the Allies"
The desired end could probably be
accomplished by recruiting and train
liz two regiments OF Serbian volun-
tcc:s, and turning them over to the
Serbian Tnment when they have
been landed there with such equip
ment Of trucks and construction tools
AS this government may be able to