New-York tribune., 1920-03-08
Red Gross Help
Assured Europe
After Self : Aid
Governments Must First
Provide Food, Clothing
and Transport for Re-
lief Of Stricken Peoples
League Appeal Answered
Balfour in Asking Assist
ance Forecasts Support
by Members Of Council

N&]A~C v ~ mASSn ss-ACtfn8 upon aR
appeal by Arthur J. Balfour rs presi-
dent Of the council ef the league Of
nations, the board Of governors Of the
League Of Red Cross Societies In ses-
sion here yesterday passed resolutions
declaring for the extension Of volun-
tary relief work among the starving
and sick populations or Central and
Eastern Europe, provided that the es-
sentials Of food, clothing and trans-
portation be previously assured these
peoples through governmental action.
The resolution, which Was introduced
by Henry 2 Dawson on behalf Of the
board Of governors Of the league, read
as follows: s
I'VE. the delegate. forming the gen.
bled in conference, fully conscious Of
the unparalleled distress Of the strick-
en- districts Of the world and the i'm
perativs need Of immediate and COM
Prehenstve action, declare ourselves in
full sympathy and accord with the sug-
gsstion made by Mr.. BaKour.
Governments Must First Help
"From our own survey and study
within part Of the a6ectsd districts
We must declare, however, our eonvic-
ton that any voluntary ga. 20 become
effective, can only follow the provision
OF such essentials % food, clothing
and transportation, which must be
given Il the peoples ara to Tive and
be restored to . condition Of self-
support, the mead o. which 10 80 vast
that It cannot hs given By voluntary
organizations but must be supplied by
Therefore, b T. resolved that upon
assurances lrom tho isssus Of n.-
tions that food. clothing and trans
portation will be supplied By the gov
ernmsnts, the League Of Red Cross
Societies shall at once formulate
plans for the immediate extension o.
voluntary relief within the affected
districts DIST Ct an and % shall spps.l to the Pee,
Cross organisations FOR doctors.
nurses, other necessary personnel.
medical supplies and such money as
may IN their judgment be required
for operation, calling upon the various
countries through the Red Gross or
ganizations."
The resolution was adopted IN
animously.
"lf we are to have peace in the
world" Mr.. DAWSON said in support
Ing the resolution. 1--WE must restore
ly. This worldwide appeal will thrill
the world. It is the first time such
an appeal has been made, but IL the
Red Cross is to furnish the doctors
and nurses and suhlcient money to
carry on the operations, the govern
ments must supply the food, cloth and
Sir Arthur Stanley said that Mr.
Dawson had informed the board of
directors Of contribution from the
American Red Cross Of $500. 900 for in
money could be used in carrying out
the preliminary studies In accordance
with Mr.. Balfour's request.
Central Europe In Deep Distress
In his letter 70 Mr.. Dawson. urging
Mr.. Balfour pointed ont that the
ravages Of disease had reached appall-
ing proportions in Central Europe and
that medical appliances and 1esdical
skill were lacking to ccpe with the
horrors that had 20 be faced.
"The catastrophs Is Of such unex-
ampled magnitude" continued Mr..
Balfour's letter, 'sthet no organization
less powerful that the League Of Red
Cross Societies seems sdeauxte TO cope
With it. To this great body therefore
t1ao0 0QPCaa no m0U00SH Oh Lue
league Of nations hsve agreed to en-
courage the Red Cross organizations.
whose purposes are the improvement
of health, the prevention Of disease
and the mitigation Of suffering
throughout the world There can
surely never be IN occasion calling
more instantly for action.
Though confident Of the moral sup
port Of my colleagues, I have been un-
able formally to consult them or to
speak with their authority. shall
however, bring this matter before the
council at the earliest possibility.
Meantime venture 60 urge the League
of Red Cross Societies t.. organize an
effort worthy Of it, unique position
for dealing with calamity which, fol-
lowing hard on the war, seems almost
worse than the war itself"