The Cordova daily times., 1921-09-29

(By International News SeryiCeD
 LONDON. Sept. 29.-The great bat tie against the famine in Russia is just beginning. But, as was the case in Belgium in 1914, the preliminary struggle involves not so much ques- tion of supplies as of organization.
 Comparing what happened in the early days in Belgium to the present situation in Russia may help to visu- alize the work lying before the Amer ican Relief efforts. In both instan- ces the relief workers were faced with certain hostility; only in the present case they are not faced with ruthless army.
 The first American ship contain ing food entered the harbor of Am sterdam on December 4. 1914. Its gallant commander had never left the seas around Nova Scotia before. But despite German submarines and mines, although entirely ignorant of the difficulties of Atlantic transpor- tation he had safely brought his precious cargo into a neutral port
 An anxious crowd of us. the first relief workers. awaited him. Through out the Saturday night and during the early hours of Sunday we scanned the sea for the ships ap- proaCh Despite the messages from London we began to doubt. Then at last the vessel hove in sight and ex citement grew to fever height. We knew that at least million refu- gees. who had fled unwelcOmed into Holland, were at the point of starva- tion.
 We knew that at least twice as may Belgians. in their native viii lages adjoining the Dutch frontier, were in a like or worse predicament.
 INTREPID AMERICAN OFFICERS
 It was that afternoon when the ship cast anchor By o'clock we had three gangs of men working like demons-at triple wages-to unload her By midday on Monday the greater part of her food was placed on the wharf.
 We had chartered a special train. After providing for the worst needs of the refugees into Holland our chief aim was to relieve the Belgians in the Tournemond district. who were reported to be literally on the verge of starvation. Everything they pos sessed had been pillaged by the in vading armies.
 Captain Jackson, of the American army, was in charge Of the train. With a small section of helpers he sped on his journey with all the steam that Dutch engine could make It was when he found the Belgian frontier with German sol diers, confronting him, the the real trouble began.
 Have you permit to bring this food here?" asked the commandant of the German troops,
 The permit of humanity" answered Captain Jackson.
 If you have no offical permit then shall seize the contents of the train' answered the commandant.
 Captain Jackson jumped on the en- zine and unfolded the Stars and Stripes.
 Now seize them at your peril '" was the reply.
 The commandant gave way. The trains precious burden was unloaded. Many people were saved from death and the supply of American food into Bclgium was initiated then and there.
 There were no workers on the spot sufficient in numbers to safeguard the food al the moment Those pres ent were only able to ensure the pro per organization of it's arrival. lt would take time for the requisite personnel 10 reach Belgium from Am erica in those troubled times
 HOOVER TO THE RESCUE Herbert Hoover saved the situation He appealed 10 the American Rhodes scholars at Oxford University to abandon their vacations and devote themselves to the cause They came as one man.
 But, as they would be the first to acknowledge, they were totally ineX- perienced and faced with circum- stances about which they had never dreamed Some of them-men like