The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-08-02
Poland Is Suffering From Short.
age Of Food Supplies.
WAR IS MAKING IT WORSE
Dr.. Boris D. Bogen Of Relief Commit.
tee Tells of Distress in the Country
Present Drive in Russia Is Op.
posed by Those Who Are of the
Opinion That Reconstruction Should
Come First-Urees Americans to
Help.

There are 5000 Jewish war Or
phans in Poland existing on pickings
from the streets, constituting an or
plan problem the like of which has
not before been seen, according to DR..
Boris D. Bogen, who has just re-
turned from Poland, where he spent
four months as chief of the joint dis
tribution committee for American
funds for Jewish war sufferers. Previ-
Gus to his last visit to Poland he spent
nEe months there engaged in the same
work. All told he estimated the num-
Der of Polish Jews orphaned as re-
suit of the war at about 100000.
Doctor Bogen said that the various
advances of the Polish armies on the
frontiers are not always regarded with
unanimous approval. The prosecution
of the war is exerting such heavy
drains upon the financial and man.
power resources Of the new country
that vitality necessary reconstructive
measures at home are being over
looked.
Operations Vary.
"The advance upon the south front
which resulted in the capture Of Kiev
just before / left" said Doctor Bogen,
"was viewed from different angles by
different Polish groups. The comment
Of leaders and Of the press indicated a
variety of opinions.
"Those who favored the advance
pointed to the importance of establish
ing the Ukraine as an Independent
buffer state between the Polish re-
public and soviet Russia. They de-
clared that Poland was led by the al
lies into assuming the mission of
serving as bulwark against bolshe-
vism and that they must see the job
through.
"Those who opposed the advance de-
clared Poland was justified in waging
only defensive warfare.
Enthusiastically, Poland is now about
35 per cent normal. Her inadequate
transportation facilities, which must
be used to great extent for military
purposes, render extremely precarious
all internal commerce.
"Viewed broadly, Poland is making
praiseworthy and generally success
full struggle for economic and poiti-
cal stability. The second must follow
the first. It's task is most difficult
one and there is no doubt that Po-
land must look to the allies for guild,
ance and assistance in it's tragic d.
lemma.
Much Already Is Done.
'"The joint distribution committee
has done much to relieve the suffer.
tngs not only of the Jews of Poland,
but of the general population. We
have established twelve relief districts
in the country, with central office,
garages and warehouses in each, with
an American in charge. This makes
it possible for the people to have d.
rect contact with an American work
er, and to these people, who feel lost
and helpless in the problems they have
to face, this means a great deal. The
subventions to local agencies and in
stitutions, amounting to 100000 a
month, 60 far toward relieving dis
tress."
Doctor Bogen strongly urged Amer
leans to purchase the food drafts sold
In this country by the American re-
lief administration and the joint dis
tribution committee. These food pack
ages are delivered in all parts Of Po-
land by the joint distribution commit
tees motortrucks. They are especially
valuable, more so than direct remit
tances Of money, because they have
the effect of lowering rather than rails
ing prices In the local markets.