Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-06-09
EUROPE'S NEED
IS APPALLING
Letter From ]. Edgar Rhoads
Gives Some Inside
Information.

very interesting letter has been re-
ceived bv George A. Rhoads from ms
nenhew. j. Edgar Rhoads, who IS now IN
Furope in reconstruction work Tor tne
FrienCs. MIR. Rhoads, who IS we'll
known Wilmington Rotarlan ana DUST
ness man, gives some INSIDE lnioriuheioii
relative to business and social condilions
in Germany and Austria. lie VIII remain
in Europe until September tie VIII ae-
tend conference OF All trlends IN Lohuoh
in August, and, very likely, VIII return 10
This country following that session. Mrs.
William Ewes, whose husband accoiiipa-
MED Mr.. Rhoads to Europe, will leave ior
London in August, being one OF the ueie-
gates named from this country TO thaC
conference Mr. Rhoads writes:
..Europe's need is appalling, though "
varies a good deal in different sections
| think. however, that briefly 1t may pe
classified under the following headings:
.1) Sufficient food for everyone 70
enable them to get back strength neeaeu
for normal productive work. In the cities c
of Germany, large part OF the poi'uiaVio..
has apparently not been receiving over
tn.o-tbirds of the amount of food they
require. if work is to be done.
.t(2l Fuel in sufficient quantity 10
operate factories and railroads properly.
"(3 Raw materials which are not no"
available in quantity cotton, Wool, Iuo
her. leather, copper, etc.. Various sus-
restions as TO a supply OF these nave peeh
made. the two most promising ones oeiIs
the granting of sufficient credits py 1lie
Entente and the supply without eaSh
ravment of raw materials requiring
large amount of labor cost for their manu-
facture to be paid Tor by a certain pIo-
portion of the made-up goods
ntp
begun to realize the Importance OF the
situation here and / shall be much sur
prised If large credits are not soon granteo
TO Germany Il
"Cp Some relief must he arranged II
possible from the present difficulty OF
purchasing in America, England, Holland
Switzerland and Scandinavia, caused ~
the very bad exchange rates. 20 lar az |
can see this would have to be artlnclaliS
arranged by agreement OF the hn1ehte
and would have TO be supported by loans
for a long perlod. The financial situation
of Germany. Austria and most OF the
other countries OF central Europe, is
desperate. rl
The productive power of Central
Furope can. however, he built up, Il wise
guidance is exercised, and on II the ialth
of the outside world must rest Tor the
time being.
"(5) Stable and efficient governments
are absolutely essential and are under the
present circumstances perhaps the most
difficult thing TO attain. However,
cannot but feel that If some patience ana
faith are exercised by the Entente IN sup
nIxinr the essentials above enumerated
that the governments will regain the faith
II their populations. Even where well
lntentioned. they are now IN a very difhcult
pOSltIon.
..t6) Most important OF all is a re
,,aUed faith In mankind on a spiritual
basis. 1t is really surprising TO ind how
generally this Is realized here, even IN
quarters where it Is not based upon fuli
Christian belief. On every hand people are
looking for guide, wise and strong
enough 10 point out a better way. How
ever. there does not seem TO be any IN
sight.
The condition, physical and mental. Of
MANY OF the people, has warped their
Judgment and that, coupled with the eX-
trcme class feelings, seems 10 make the
situation at times look almost hopeless.
The extremely radical notions and desires
of great part OF the working class are
perhaps a natural outgrowth OF the ge7,era-
tions OF oppression under which they have
had TO live. The whole situation Is traughf
with great danger to western CIVILIZATION,
and Tor JDaL reason aiOlS. u III 4IO oeAIcI ;
deserves more consideration IN the I. ;.
than it seems TO be receiving.
As 10 the status Of our own work we
are now feeding nearly 10000 children in
Berlin. Hamburg, Altoona, Bremen, Leip-
zig. Dresden and Chemnitz and have
authorized an immediate expansion TO
239. 600 Just as rapidly as 1t Is possible.
If transportation facilities permit, we
hope bv the end Of this month 10 be
die Of next. to reach about 500 600, if food
continues to come fast enough. This work
will probably be done in about 90 cities,
nearly all Of them of over 1000 inhabi-
tants. AS nearly as we can tell there are
close to ], 600, 900 children In Germany il
n cities large enough for US to work In,