Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-08-26
RUSSIAN MIGRANTS
SEEK FOOD GASES
American Commission Saws
Feeding Of Children Would
Be inadequate
MILLIONS IN MAD EXODUS

Special Cable Dispatch. Copyright. 1921
Riga. Aug. 20.-Albert \. Johnson.
Of Fnrmingdale. y. Y. chairman of the
American Near East and Caucasian
Relief Commission. end his colleagues,
Paxton Elibben, Of indianapolis. and
John VOORHEES,. of New York. with
Frank ConncX. an interviewer. have
just arrived from Moscow after having
crossed Russia from the south.
The Americans painted vivid word
picture Of conditions in the famine
areas which they had visited and told
of herCuIeGn tasks necessary to relieve
Russia. They pointed ont the neccs-
sity for help, which thev said ought
not be confined TO the relief of children
and sick.
Mr.. Johnson and his aides left Tifis
on August 10. reaching Moscow via
Pctrovsk. Nl0dikavkaz. Rostof and
koz!of. They were overwhelmed with
the extent Of the danger attending tho
stricken NOlgG districts They said it
was doubtful whether the authorities
would be able 10 control the situation.
They reported 200, ,0C0 persons had
left the Slmbirsk and Salnara districts
and that the province of Snratof had
been transformed into huge Concen-
tration camp for the refugees from the
Upper Volga
The flight Of the refugees Is terrible.
They have parted with every possession
they own and they have been reduced
10 eating horses and other animals.
Literally. millions are taking part in
the exodus. leaving their homes under
stress Of indescribablc hunger and NOV
inG westward by any and every avail
able means of transportation. Through
OUT the trip there was not single train
that was not crowded beyond imagina-
tiou with men. women and children.
The refugees are willing to endure
any hardship and risk TO their lives
IA order 70 escape. They travel In box
cars packed to suffocation and fight
like mHniars TO secure places on the
roofs or trucks Of the cars. Along the
railways and in the stations thousands
are Herdel in Enclosures. they being
refused admission 10 many towns and
cities owing 10 the inability of the au
th"ritieS 10 provide food for them and
because Of the fear that they may
spread the dreaded epidemic diseases.
H0rdes OF vaFtness beyond compu-
tati"n are sleeping here and there III
search Of some food oasis. Hunger
knows no conscience and the tempta.
tion 70 live off the country is becoming
greater daily. II is feared that the
swnrmlng muItitudes may strip the
country of every vestige of food.
In the opinion of the American Com
mission immediate steps are imperative
70 induce the fleeing families to return
10 their homes and 10 resume agricu,-
lurc. Those to whom members Of the
commission spoke expressed willingness
- return il they We're guaranteed sut-
tC!ont food to maintain them duriu..
the winter and were given seed grain
for planting in tHc spring.
The problem strikes the commission
a, being twofold The first problem is
to supply the minimum amount Of food
stUfs 10 prevent the creation Of an i'm
meusc refugee problem in Russia, which
Is likely 10 tngulf Western Europe.
The SECOND is to localize food distriGu-
ton 50 Us to compel the refugees 10 re-
turn to their homes. They point OUT
that merely feeding the children does
not touch either of these difficulties.