Milford chronicle., 1921-10-14

miral Mark L. Bristol. United
States High Commissioner to Turkey,
for example, declares:
81 have been closely associated
with the work of the Near East
Relief committee for about %
months. On the whole the work
of this relief committee has been
such that Americans should be
proud of this great humane ef-
fort. The Near East Relief here
In Constantinople is run more
like a business organization
than any relief organization
with which I have ever come
into contact"
Charles V. Vickrey's summary of
the activities of the Near East Relief
shows the disbursement of over
$6O,0O0,O 100000 in cash and supplies,
contributed by the American Geople
to the salVaging of the Christian pop
ulations of the Near East. I'll
American and Canadian men and
women relief workers have been en-
gagged in this huge task on little
more. than a volunteer basis. 63
hospitals, with 6,522 beds, and 1913
clinics; IL rescue homes, where
young girls rescued from lives of
shame in Turkish harems are taught
to forget their sufferings, and to be-
gin life anew, self-supporting and
independent, are maintained.
10000 Little Children
The most remarkable feature Of
the work of the Near East Relief is,
however, the salvation of tens of
thousands of children who have lost
parents and relatives during the past
six years. For these little ones Amer
lean generosity has provided, through
the Near East Relief, 299 homes
one, in AlexandrOpOl, Armenia, hous-
ing $4,000 children-where, last
year, 900 children were housed,
clothed, fed and taught, while an ad-
ditional 5000, outside the Near
East Relief orphanages, were saved
from starvation and death by food
and clothing sent them from the
United States.
Mr.. Vickrey's report states that
approximately 2,79O,490 Armenians
are still living in the Near East, out
of pre-war population of over
100000 and estimates that had it
not been for the aid given by the
American people through the Near
East Relief, fully half of those now
living would have perished. Food
was furnished to 561,97O homeless
refugees during large part of 1920,
while 100000 garments, comprising
100000 pounds of clothing sent
out from the United States were dis
tributed to barefoot and rag-clad
all the way from the
Mediterranean to the Caucasus
Work Must Continue
Commenting on these figures Mr..
Vickrey stated that this distinctive
y humanitarian relief work, as an
expression of brotherhood, should
lelp to mark the beginning of new
IRA of peace and inter-racial good |
will in the Near East.
"The tremendous task undertaken
)y the American people in saving the
children of the Near East is one
which cannot be left unfinished. We
lave an investment of over 100000
700 in human life, that America has
iaved. If we falter or pause now,
hat investment is imperiled, or may
wen be lost altogether. Most of the
hildren we have saved from death
re still too little to take care of
themselves, and conditions through
'ut the Near East are still too
Uncertain to let them shift for them
elves. 1t is morally sure that for at
east five years, and until these little
mes that we have snatched from a
errible fate are able to support
themselves and enjoy an even chance
f life as useful citizens, the Amer
can people who have rescued them
must see them through.
''It is the purpose of the Near East
selief to do just this, and we appeal
D the generosity of the American
eople to see this noble work is car
led out in the spirit of mutual help
illness and Christian charity which
) so essentially characteristic of the
-merican ideal"
Contributions to the work of the ;
lear East Relief may be sent to s
cleveland H. Dodge, Treasurer 1 {
Iadison Ave-, New York City. c