Omaha daily bee., 1919-01-16
Rhineland Propaganda.

sumed without regard to previous
restrictions.
Rhineland Propaganda.
Paris and some other places with
high prices which Americans and es-
pecially American soldiers on short
leave with three months pay are
willing to meet, draw large amounts
of food which the local communities
can i'll afford to spare.
In the Rhineland it appears to be
systematic method of propaganda
for the inhabitants not only to ex-
hibit the utmost friendly relations
to American soldiers but to supply
them with abundant food at initial
prices.
Notwithstanding the impression
thus created there, representatives
of the associated countries are con-
WINGED that the actual conditions are
as | have described.
Moved by proofs of these facts
submitted to him, President Wilson,
on January /, cabled to the secre-
tary of the treasury urging an APP
preparation by congress of 100000
600 to be used on behalf of the
United States in carrying on this
work.
The precise use of this appro-
pristion seems not to have been un-
derstood.
Money to Come Back.
1t is not intended as a gift. The
amount is to be expended largely, if
not entirely in purchase in the Uni
ted States and a great part, if not
all, the money will be returned. 1t
will be returned, moreover, with in-
terest, with the gratitude of the
stricken peoples of Europe who. to-
day are looking to US more than to
any other nation for aid and succor.
America stands forth as one ma
ton which has maintained war with
out hope of gain or thought Of re-
ward.
She is the embodiment Of demo-
cratic idealism. Here is the great
privilege of binding up the wounds
of little peoples over whom the
great military juggernaut of Prus-
STA rolled with relentless cruelty.
Hunger leads men to despair and
to desperation. No lasting peace
can be made by starving nations.
We must first feed and then help
to restore the unhappy nations OF
eastern Europe to their normal
self-supporting status.
Will Bring Returns.
There is no stronger ally OF
bolshevism than starvation. Food,
work and the prospect Of normal
social conditions are its prophylactic
One hundred million dollars wisely
expended now in alternating the
hunger Of European peoples will
bring returns of inealculable great
er worth.
This is less than the cost of a
single day of war. America has
been the leader in the movement.
Great Britain, France and Italy
freely concede to her leadership
in carrying on the work. But i'll
America fails to provide her share
of the cost how can she expect
others, burdened as they are with
the cost of two and a; half years
more of warfare, then tolcarry their
part of the load, Surely if the condi-
tons are understood congress will
not hesitate to act favorably. 1t is
merely, question of carrying out
an obviously just and necessary
plan.
Conditions Are Urgent.
II underlies and precedes ali
other questions as to terms of peace.
There can be no peace in Europe
if its hunger is not satisfied. There
can be no league with starving mas
tions, that will secure the future
welfare of the world. Anarchy and
bolshevism are the natural sequence
of famine, disease and despair.
The conditions are urgent. They
may not wait. We must act prompt
" or it will be too late. The ques-
ton is not PARTISAN. 1t rises above
all party considerations.
America must this day choose be-
tween a high duty and an ignoble
refusal. Surely the conclusions of a
body of men, such as those COM
posing the supreme council, endors-
ed by the president Of the United
States, by the prime ministers of
Great Britain and France is suffi-
cient warrant to call for the prompt
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