Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-03-14

(By Captain Frederick c. Johnson of
 the American Red Cross Commits
 sion to Poland.)
 The immediate future of Poland's starMng population depends directly on the interest and help of outside na- tons until national conditions can De improved materially. Poland is dolng all that she can for her peo- pie, but her present resources do not negln to meet the need. Until the new narlon gets on her feet, it is the s0iemn obligation of American re- llef organizations to keep up their splendid efforts without relaxation. 4l nave visited desolate communities m the department of the east, that vast strength oI barren country ly- ing east of the river Bug, whose people were literally saved from eX- tincIlon through the vigorous minis- rrarlon of these relief organizations The amount ol numanltarum good that American effort and American generosity. There seems no limit to the field to be covered.
 ln Novogrodek, for instance that was pernaps harder hit by famine and want than any other single commun- lty Tn the department of the east, the combined efforts of the American Keller AdmlnlsCratIon, the American Red Cross and the American Jewish Rellef agencles resulted not only in the distribution of vast amount of purely emergency relief, in the form of food and clothing, but also in the establishment of a number of per- manent institutions that were vitally needed.
 Before the Americans got to Novo- grodek the people of that town and the surrounding country were in a condition pitiable beyond description. They were dying of hunger ana dis ease. Particularly sad was the plight of the little children and the old peo- pie without families. Local effort brought little result in getting homes of even the crudest sort established, for stne inhabitants had absolutely nothing to work with.
 The combined effort of the Ameri- can relief organizations soon affect ed change. Orphanages and old peoples homes were quickly started, with not only decent shelter for these homeless and helpless people, but beds with blankets, and servlce- able clothing to take the place of their vermin-infested rags, and food in at least sufficient quantities to keep body and soul together.
 The smaller children, many of them for the first time in their lives, got real milk to drink--condensed milk, 1t is true, but sweet and clean from American canneries, and containing the nodrishment that they had lack ed so utterly The aged found asy- lums of rest and comfort, where they might regain some portion of their strength, or at least pass the rest of their years in escape from the night mare of existence that had long haunted them. And there were hos pitals to check the awful inroads of the dreaded typhus.
 Novogrodek now has it's Jewish old folks home and another for the aged and indigent Christians. Orphan ages for both creeds it has likewise, and schools, too. For the first time in the history of the country chill dren can go to school, freed at last from the merciless dominion of un- rclenting Russian rule, and learn the things that the former government forbade.
 Every day there may be seen a long. line of eager children focking toward one of the children's kitchens which were established out there by the American Relief Administration and the Joint Distribution committee disbursing organization of the Amer ican Jewish Relief committee. At another similar kitchen, where the food is all strictly kosher, the Jewish children of the community are able to get nourishing American food pre- pared in compliance with their relig- ious laws.
 Mot only through such institutions as these is American help going te the people in this desolate region Frequent distribution trips were made to remote sections, and food ant clothing given to persons whose plight was the most desperate. Ant through the Red Cross field unit al