New-York tribune., 1921-01-03
For Starving China
A Federal Relief Appropriation of
$i0.O00,OO0 Is Needed
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

~ IUc CuttOr or Inc tribune.
Sir: Without undue assurance it is not
unsuitable to say that the United
States is still making good her right
to be called THE Good Samaritan" Of
the nations. The response to the present
effort, under the direction of MIR. Hoover,
to raise $33,0O0,O0O to keep alive the
I starving children Of Europe is the most
recent demonstration Of this fact. The
S65o,0OO given at the Metropolitan
Opera House Christmas tree celebration
and the more than S2,0oO,000 subscribed
at tho Hotel Commodore demonstration
dinner give strongest emphasis Of the
still active sympathy Of tho people Of
the United States and their desire to
express it wisely and practically.
The recent proclamation Of the Presi-
dent calling into being q commission
to raise millions for the succor of the
sufferers from the appalling famine in
China calls for more immediate re-
sponse than would seem possible from
an effort to raise vast sums at the same
time, as tho Hoover European commit
tee is so splcndidly carrying on its great
work. venture to suggest that the
people Of the United States are entitled
now to the leadership which their repre-
sentation in the Congress at Washing
ton justiies. There seems no question
that this is the most appalling natural
disaster Of which the world has knowl-
edge. Forty millions in danger Of star
vation, and that not future event but
an Immediately impending one, calls for
such united action ns the war accus-
toned Us to take. / believe the con-
science of tho people would heartily
support instant action by the Congress
to assure the saving Of every life pos
sible.
What is needed is food. The supply
Of food is to be found in the United
States and the price Of foodstuffs is
now lower. Advantage should be taken
Of this present market to provide the
food necessary, and advantage should
also be taken of the present control
to provide the necessary transportation
through the shipping facilities Of the
United States.
I suggest, therefore, that the Congress
now in session should vote at as early
a date as possible an appropriation Of
$10,000,O00 to be expended under COM
mission for the purchase and shipment
of foodstuffs to China, for distribution
under the direction Of a special com
mission to be appointed by the Red
Cross. I suggest that in addition to the
appropriation Of $10,0O0,0OO to be i'm
mediately available there should be
further appropriated the sum of
S1,0OO,000 to be paid by the Treasury
for the same purpose of providing food
for every 100000 subscribed by the
people to the commission appointed by
the President, Of which Thomas W.
Lamont is chairman and Norman II.
Davis is treasurer, the said payments
OF S1,OOO,000 as against subscriptions to
be continued until total Of 100000 900
shall have been paid out, including the
first SlO,0O0,O00 appropriation, which
would mean the raising OF $9OOo,ooO
from private subscription.
The amount seems large, but as
against the number whose lives are in
danger it would mean only $3.50 per
capita. The need Of the hour is action
without delay. This cannot be secured
under the circumstances except through
Congressional appropriation. In view
OF the very proper right of way which
the Hoover European relief committee
has. effective action throughout the
country probably could not be secured
so readily in any other way ns by this
appropriation through Congress Of ad-
ditional funds contingent upon the pri-
vatc subscription which would demon
stratc the public sympathy.
We have raised for hall q century and
more millions OF dollars to extend to
tho Chinese our knowledge Of what we
believe to be the better way of living
which the Christian religion has brought
to ue, and We have emphasized the
necessity Of works with faith. No
greater providential call could be imxc-
ined than that at this time the people
Of tho Orient could realize that we JUS
tlfy our faith by works.
GEORGE FOSTER PEABODY.
New York, Dec. 80, 1920.